Japanese Onsen (温泉)

The Japanese hotspring, or better known as onsen has been a perennial popularity. It plays an important role in Japanese culture, providing institutionalized relief from the pressures of the contemporary Japanese twelve-hour work ethic through the mutual nakedness of skinship (a Japanese term coined from English words).



The water in an onsen must be volcanic spring in origin, even if reheated. Onsen water is often thought to have healing powers according to its mineral properties Onsens often have several different baths, each augmented by the addition of different minerals or the composition of the tub. A key feature of the onsen is that as well as mere bathing facilities, there should be accommodation, extravagant cooking and all manner of relaxing pastimes - massages, aromatherapy, relaxation rooms and comfortable surrounds. Essentially, the onsen should be the diametric opposite of everything in normal, hectic day-to-day Japanese life.


These pictures are of one we went to a few weeks back. When time allows, more pictures and info will come about this dynamic place.