Getting naked??

[Sekabin]

I think you'll get used to it after a few times. To be honest at first I felt a bit silly walking around with a tiny square towel in front of my groin... it seemed silly to be desparately trying to hide myself only to be completely naked in the bath... but then i noticed that it seemed to be the older men who didn't bother... and i didn't want to see old LOL!

 

[cacawate]

The sento I visited in Osaka was in a crazy Yakuza district called either Shinemameya or Shinimameya (can't remember). There was a man there who had tattoos covering his whole body. It was pretty neat. As for me being embarrassed, I was kinda tipsy so I didn't mind. And luckily too, I soon found out that people there really don't give a crap about who you are, or what color you are, because they're all about just relaxing. I think I had one guy, in all the onsen/sento I visited ask me where I was from. When I told him, he just grunted acknowledgement and went back to bathing.

The cool thing about the onsen I went to were that they had different bathing styles. Like the below-freezing-almost-ice-cold bath (If you're a westerner and aren't conscious about your little guy --which it WILL become that-- I suggest you try this), it's cold as all hell when you get in but somehow the shock (or the frost-bite) settles in and in comforting in a weird way. Speaking of "the shock" (great segway), there was one that had some sort of weird invisible electricity running though the water (you heard me) and, I guess, you're supposed to put your back to it and it'll help out back aches or what not. It was really strange, it felt horrible.... but, that's just to me. I'm sure there's someone out there you would like it. And the last one i went in (besides the regular ones) was the scalding-hot-hotspring-recreation bath, which is basically the same as the hot bath, just scalding. The funny thing with that one was me and my friend would see how tough we were by going in the ice-cold one and then into that one. Man, that messed me up.

Well, I've talked way too much. If you guys want I can elaborate on the Yakuza town in another thread (just start one with the name "crazy stories" or what ever. Or maybe I'll start my own) since a lot of weird stuff happened there in only three days. Anyways, thanks for listening to my crazy story telling.

-Jeff

 

[Sgt. Wang]

Well, my friend had a good experience at a split onsen, but I had the unfortunate experience of going to a konyoku onsen in what used to be called Shirane, but is now Minami-Alps. But after averting my eyes when every naked person came into view, I felt REALLYY relaxed. I mean, it was very soothing for my muscles and my skin and stuff. But there still were a lot of gawking Japanese ladies staring at my body. Sorta odd, but I've never felt so relaxed in my life.

 

[Loustic]

Hello Nzuenda,

- I have my doubts about the option of the sarong (also covers), because one of the purpose of being nude in an onsen is also hygenic. That is why we need to wash before entering into the water. So, bringer sarong into the water seems really not appropriate to me.
Even if some japanese does the same, I think it better to not bring anything on water.
Of course, sarong is nice to wander out of the water, but to my mind, it should be removed before entering despite I understand the issue of modesty.

- I some thread, I heard about the different conception about nudity in Japan and in Occident. But I also have big doubts about this : even in Western coutries, nudity is not seen with the same eyes in, for example, USA and Finland or Germanic countries. Plus, despite Japan has no substantial christianic history, the Confucean ideas (Edo period ) have restricted the nudity, also has done the Meiji and Taisho government.
So, the comparison seems meaningless to me, and indeed very few young japanese go into konyoku.



Read you all soon
Ludovic

PS: sorry for my bad english. This is not my mothertongue.

 

[neko_girl22]

Loustic, thanks for your reply. I , too, have come to understand the logic behind not wearing anything in an onsen.
Actually I have changed a lot since I first posted this thread. Just last week I went to the Kirishima mountains with my husband and visiting friends and had a great time at an onsen resort. Since I was the only female in our group I enjoyed the public onsen by myself. I loved the doro (mud) onsen! and I had the chance to chat with a few of the other women in the onsen. I feel completely relaxed walking around naked now whereas I saw a young Japanese woman using a towel to cover up in between pools.
In the end I felt it wasn't worth all the effort trying to cover up, better that I just get over it and fit in! The first few times were a bit awkward, but now I am an onsen lover for life!

 

[Loustic]

Nzueda,
Thanks for your reply.

In Roma, do as roman does...

I know it is not so easy. I have been only once in an onsen, and only in a man-only bath. I was not at ease at all in the beginning, but it was early in the morning and I was the first one. So, I entered the water and have full time to look at other comers (Japanese) and study their behavior. After a while, I copied them and did not bother to hide myself behind the the small towel so much. (In fact, the habit seems to be to hide himself, but not to take care so much of hiding it a any price).
Someone here told, "I do not want to see old ....", but well, there is no need to look at, I guess.

I have never experiment a konyoku. I guess that since I was embarrassed in a man bath, I will be much more in a mixed one, but I will go on respecting the rule "in Rome do as roman do".

I think there is another point also, esp. in a mixed onsen : If someone wears something, it may sound odd for people in the nude. This should be a deal, a exchange, otherwise it increases the sexual impact.
If I were nude in a konyoku, and if a girl entered wearing a sarong, a big towel, a swimming suit, I would be embarrassed by my own nudity.
If she weared a towel, perhaps I would have the tendency to look at her, to see what she did not entended me to see, and this would bring some erotic tension in the air.
If she were nude, I will probably notice her, if she were beautiful, but quickly consider her as somthing different as a "nude body". Dificult to explain, but the more nude you are, the less sexual it is.


However, I think it is still a bit weird in my mind to go to a konyoku with some girl friends. With a girl friend, yes, with strangers yes, but friend girls of mine... it may so much change the image I have of her...?

Do you experiment going to a kon'yoku with some friends ? Does it change the relationships?

Best regards

Ludovic

 

[Gaijinian]

I'm reviving a ghost, sorry...

I have experienced an ofuro, but actually think I was less stared at than usual (maybe it was because I did not have my "Nippon" hachimaki...).

Anyway, a strange experience for me was my host brother (who was 8) wanted to take a bath together. This may have been THE most foreign part of the entire trip, but I eventually reluctantly agreed.

It was not as strange as I thought it might be, but such an act in The West, The US, at least, is pretty taboo... But it did not seem too strange to kid kid, nor did it to his family, so hey...

 

[Kinsao]

Ooohh, I thought this thread title is really interesting, but now I can't contribute because I have never been to an onsen! I feel so useless..... do you want to hear about other 'getting naked' experiences instead?

 

[Gaijin 06]

I went to an onsen to Ginza, believe it or not. Most Japanese don't know it exists (none that I spoke to). It is a tiny place, only 400 yen entry and two little pools per gender.

Very good though, and I didn't feel at all out of place, even amongst the (mainly quite old) Japanese guys. My girlfriend in the other side said the same thing. She didn't realise the little old lady overseeing both sides swapped for a middle aged bloke half way through though!

I didn't feel at all nervous in naked front of all the Japanese, as they didn't show any signs of "rubber necking" or gawking.

 

[Mars Man]

I noticed the title yesterday, as it was at the right of the general forum display, and thought the wording interesting ( not necessarily because of the adjective, however) but didn't bother to open it.

I have many a good experience in the hot springs around this area, and there are some pretty good ones. I think some very good examples have been given here about the concept involved in bathing in one, and there probably is nothing I can really add, I don't guess.

I love the open air baths, and agree that the naturistic approach is very relaxing and fulfilling--totally unconnected with eroticism (although there can be a certain tension until one is used to the freedom of having a body as is. One thing that I've not done yet, which I hope to some day, is to sit there in one of the rotenburos, snow all lightly packed all around on the rocks, hand towel on head, sipping that almost hot sake slowly while the little boat floats nearby with another refill awaiting. Heaven !! If some fine male or female were to slip in with me, we could both enjoy it in the fellowship of pure nature without any hangups or thoughts other than the joy of the hot spring and sake itself.

I have had friends who have come to visit from the states, including my father, who would simply not go to one, from the fear of being nude. That's really a shame. I strongly feel that there should be more separation between our real selves, as we are, and the act of sex--there is an extra plane for the latter, above the former.

I just love the onsen, though...I wish I had one in my back yard, and who knows, I could build one some day. And as for myself, Kinsao san, I'd love to hear about other experiences of physical freedom; I can't speak on behalf of the others though. :nihonjin:

 

[Chipi]

I'm just building my courage, since me & my (Japanese) boyfriend are visiting Japan again, a couple of weeks later. We are going to go to an onsen with his also Japanese friends - so I'll be the only gaijin there, and the only person to never have been to an onsen.

I actually suprised myself, about how much I am freaking out about getting natural infront of other people! I am from Finland and going to sauna is an allmost daily thing for us.
So I'll have to get naked with strange women AND men in a mixed onsen OR go to the women only onsen with women I've never met before and try to find the right way to behave there (don't know the onsen "rules" etc)? Especially because there will be a group of people, who all are my boyfriends friends. Of course on the time I meet them the first time, I'd love to leave a good impression of me, and I am afraid of making a complete fool out of myself and through that also embarrass my boyfriend... ("such a dumbass gaijin girlfriend you've got..")
The difference between sauna and onsen is, that usually men and women bathe separately, unless they are a family, and also if foreigners are going to sauna for the first time(s), they are usually offered the option to wear a bathing suit or towel to the sauna. If they do, so will the rest of the bathing people do. Also some women might feel insecure without _any_ kind of makeup and clothes infront of new/strange people. I have to confess I have that problem sometimes.. In Finland no-one is going to stop you from wearing a bit of waterproof mascara etc. to sauna if you want to. In JapanI think it would be out of the question and even I think it's rude. So somehow I'm afraid of showing absolutely everything of me, the whole package, to strangers but especially the new friends. It's like letting people judge you without any kind of protecting "shield" if you needed it... huh? I am allready conscious about being different in appearance(..being "kinpatsu" gaijin..), so being different in appearance AND being naked at the same time against a group of people is somehow frightening to me.

The women who have already been to onsen, and had similar fears and reasons for being nervous, did you get over it very soon or did you have to go to onsen many times before you could completely relax?
I just hope to get over my silly stupid fears and have a fabulous time together with everyone I'll meet..

 

[Kyoto Returnee]

I'm just building my courage, since me & my (Japanese) boyfriend are visiting Japan again, a couple of weeks later.

"My Japanese boyfriend and I"

 

[Chipi]

"My Japanese boyfriend and I"

.. and the point of your comment? If it was to correct a language mistake I think it was quite inappropriate - I'm not english, this is not a forum for or about english or english people only..

 

[Kyoto Returnee]

.. and the point of your comment? If it was to correct a language mistake I think it was quite inappropriate - I'm not english, this is not a forum for or about english or english people only..

My sincerest. I will take it all back..

 

[pipokun]

I've never met before and try to find the right way to behave there (don't know the onsen "rules" etc)?

I am sure that they will be pleased to tell you the rules.

Also some women might feel insecure without _any_ kind of makeup

How about wearing lighter makeup when you meet them?

 

[Annubis]

Getting Naked

My 5th or 6th day in Japan, I was staying in a Ryokan in Shinjuku. The woman of the house gave me a ticket to go to the public bath just down the street. I was extremely interested. As a matter of fact before coming to Japan I fancied working in one as maintenance staff. I had been maintenance staff in a public shower of a country club in canada, so I figured maybe I could do the same when I arrived in Japan... hehe... I loke those kinda down to earth jobs from time to time. So I had professionally seen women naked before. I also went to one of the outdoor onsens in Hokkaido at night with the stars and snow. It was amazing.

As for an onsen for men and women, I would have no qualms for that either. I had been drawing naked people since I was 14 years old. I went to a special art high school. And Hanlan's Point in Toronto is a nude beach... hehe.. I went there once with my ex-boyfriend.

Nudity is the most natural state of being, expressing beauty and vulnerability.

 

[Glenski]

For those of you who are embarrassed to strip down in front of the same gender, how do you feel about visiting a sports gym in your own country and using the shower or sauna there? Just curious.

 

[centrajapan]

i dont like sentos. onsens can be ok. the outside one and stuff but i dont find sentos to be hygenic. you sit on those plastic stools which everyone has been sitting on... i prefer taking baths at home. i prefer the japanese style ofuro rooms than western where the toilet is in the same room as the shower and bath tub.

i have never been to a mixed onsen. i have never ben to a nude beach. there are quite few of those here. if the girls were hot i think id get horny and be afraid to get a stiffy. maybe id just walk around with an erection as that too is perfectly natural. if i keep going back to the same onsen with an erection maybe the people working there or people who frequently visits that onsen will simply call me the stiffy. oi, there is stiffy. how are you stiffy? i am fine. thanks.

 

[Skuu]

Well if everyone's naked and half submerged I doubt it would be a problem. Humans have a habit of being able to do anything as long as lots of other people are doing it. When I go to the gym I'm embarrassed about getting naked in the changing room 'cause there's usually only a few other guys. But if there was a bunch of people about it would be OK. I'm quite content about my body.

 

[ArmandV]

if the girls were hot i think id get horny and be afraid to get a stiffy. maybe id just walk around with an erection as that too is perfectly natural. if i keep going back to the same onsen with an erection maybe the people working there or people who frequently visits that onsen will simply call me the stiffy. oi, there is stiffy. how are you stiffy? i am fine. thanks.

Just think about the food you hate the most or the saddest thing in your life. If that doesn't work, smack it against the wall.

 

[kameron]

i have never been to a mixed onsen. i have never ben to a nude beach. there are quite few of those here. if the girls were hot i think id get horny and be afraid to get a stiffy. maybe id just walk around with an erection as that too is perfectly natural. if i keep going back to the same onsen with an erection maybe the people working there or people who frequently visits that onsen will simply call me the stiffy. oi, there is stiffy. how are you stiffy? i am fine. thanks.

hehe

perhaps fire off a few knuckle-children before you go

 

[Skuu]

smack it against the wall.

Lol, what's wrong with you?

 

[Glenski]

i dont find sentos to be hygenic. you sit on those plastic stools which everyone has been sitting on... .

And, just what do you do at an onsen? Stand in the shower?

 

[bakaKanadajin]

i have never been to a mixed onsen. i have never ben to a nude beach. there are quite few of those here. if the girls were hot i think id get horny and be afraid to get a stiffy. maybe id just walk around with an erection as that too is perfectly natural. if i keep going back to the same onsen with an erection maybe the people working there or people who frequently visits that onsen will simply call me the stiffy. oi, there is stiffy. how are you stiffy? i am fine. thanks.

Actually you'd probably be banned from going to that onsen since most men can to a certain degree manage to make the involuntary boner an exception and not the norm. I hope you sit at a desk for your day job, if you were a crossing guard or something I'd feel bad for you.

 

[Kyoto Returnee]

i dont like sentos. onsens can be ok. the outside one and stuff but i dont find sentos to be hygenic. you sit on those plastic stools which everyone has been sitting on... i prefer taking baths at home. i prefer the japanese style ofuro rooms than western where the toilet is in the same room as the shower and bath tub.

i have never been to a mixed onsen. i have never ben to a nude beach. there are quite few of those here. if the girls were hot i think id get horny and be afraid to get a stiffy. maybe id just walk around with an erection as that too is perfectly natural. if i keep going back to the same onsen with an erection maybe the people working there or people who frequently visits that onsen will simply call me the stiffy. oi, there is stiffy. how are you stiffy? i am fine. thanks.

That's pretty darn gross mate!

Onsens REALLY are not for that sort of person so definitely do not go.