Traditional Onsen

Traditional Japanese onsens (hot springs) are common throughout Japan.  We wanted to try one while we were in Gora!

Our hotel had a traditional onsen which are separated by genders and you go in naked.  It was so interesting trying it out because first most of the signs were in Japanese so I was not sure what exactly to do but I had been told the process was extremely important and ritualistic.  First I had to figure out which door to go into! It was separated blue and pink for women but once I got through the pink door there were two options, red and green, and I couldn't read the signs to know which was which.  Thankfully another women came in and read them saying one was for the outside onsen and the other for the inside onsen.  From here you went into another room where you took off and left your shoes.  Then you disrobed in the next room which contained baskets for your belongings and had vanity mirrors along the walls to prepare yourself when finished.

From here there was yet another room with the inside onsen.  Along the walls were bathing stations with faucets and shower heads, showering necessities (shampoo, conditioner, body wash...), and a bucket to sit on.  The process of bathing before entering the onsen is important and a process.  There weren't any signs explaining how to go about bathing because it is so common in Japan that children grow up knowing how to do it so I had to copy a few ladies next to me.  There were several different body washes to use, then you wash your hair, next face, and finally one more overall soap up before finally finishing.  It took me at least 20 minutes just to bath before entering the onsen and other women were still going.  The water was so warm and relaxing though!