A Visit To Japans Hot Springs
A Visit To Japans Hot Springs
WHAT comes to your mind when you think of Japan? Majestic Mount Fuji? The speeding bullet train? The megalopolis Tokyo? There is more to the land of the rising sun than those famous tourist attractions. Whether for medicinal purposes or for relaxation millions annually visit onsensthe hot springs of Japan. During one recent year an estimated 140million people checked in at a hotspring inn or hotel in Japan. But what makes these spas so popular?
Onsen History
The Japanese have enjoyed bathing in geothermal waters for many centuries. Writings dating back to the eighth centuryC.E. mention the use of hot springs. Evidently the 16thcentury feudal lord Takeda Shingen championed the medicinal value of mineral springs. After battles he and his samurai warriors bathed in hot springs to help heal sword wounds broken bones cuts and bruises. The waters were also useful for relieving stress and for preparing the men for the next battle.
Of course bathing would place the samurai in a vulnerable positionthat of being unarmed in the event of a surprise attack. To overcome this problem Takeda Shingen made use of a group of remote and secluded springs which later came to be known as Shingens hidden baths. Interestingly these same springs are now used by professional athletes including sumo wrestlers and baseball players in the belief that the waters can reinvigorate their bodies for future sporting endeavors.
Unique Geographic Features
Japans geographic features are particularly suited for thermal springs. Studding the surface of the archipelago are some 245 volcanoes 86 of which are active. These volcanoes stand as a sobering reminder of events taking place deep beneath the surface of the earth. What do we find there?
The Japanese islands are situated on top of converging lithospheric plates or slabs of crust. Magma molten rock is believed to be generated along the point of convergence of these gigantic plates. Located directly aboveand functioning as visible outletsare the volcanoes. This geothermal zone also serves as the fountainhead of heat to the underground springs. Interacting with magma or hot rocks the groundwater is warmed and absorbs minerals resulting in ideal conditions for onsens to be born. It is for good reason that the book The Hot Springs of Japan notes: No country in the world is so blessed with natural hot springs as Japan. Indeed a 1998 study lists 2839 hot springs in the land.
Japans hot springs come in a variety of styles sizes shapes and colors. In an effort to classify the therapeutic value of the springs the Japanese Environment Agency has organized them into nine chemical categories. The names given to hot springs often refer to their characteristics. For instance springs rich in iron may make your towel turn reddishorange. Hence the word red is incorporated into their names. Springs with a high saline content are named salt baths. And how about taking a dip in an eel bath? Granted this may not sound appealing. But do not worry. Eels are not really found in these springs. The name was chosen because when people emerge from these springs their skin feels as slimy as that of an eela result of the alkalinity of the waters.
Amid Beautiful Settings
Soaking in thermal waters amid such beautiful settings as mountains valleys rivers the seashore and the plains makes for a uniquely pleasant experience and leaves an impression that will not be easily forgotten. Because many of Japans hot springs are located outdoors bathers have a clear view of great natural beauty. The ceiling above is the deepblue sky while the surrounding mountains serve as walls. The sounds coming from this outdoor room can be a choir of birds singing in the morning or the melody of a gently flowing brook. Really there seems to be no end to the appealing features of the hot springs.
Does bathing under a waterfall interest you? This experience can be yours. Cascading waters give you a massage and add another dimension to bathing Japanesestyle. It is also possible to bathe in a cave where hot mineral waters bubble forth from the deep recesses of rock formations. Some springs are located on the beach with a perfect view of the sunset whereas others are nestled alongside rivers.
No matter what the location or type of hot spring chosen one thing is certain: If you bathe in volcanically heated springs you will experience if for but a moment relief from the stress of daily living. You will emerge truly refreshed and perhaps a little closer to the Japanese lifestyle. So if you have an opportunity to visit this part of the world by all means enjoy the onsens the hot springs of Japan!
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