toasty toasty
Suki Yaki straight back and TOOAAAASTY !!!
At first of all , the onsen was a bigger attraction than I'd imagined. It was up in Oosaki , from where I live we had to travel for atleast an 80 minutes to get there.
My troubles started when we had to change into the Yukata. But I was glad we got to wear a Yukata , especially that we got to choose our own design and belt !
Later on we could explore an inner "village" looked very like a Japanese festival. I enjoyed a Japanese preformers' traditional dancing a lot!
everyone had to wear their Yukata's here , so it felt like "Japan old times". really pretty !
On the outdoors. You can enjoy low level hot water with only your feet and legs , all surrounded with a beautiful nature (dressed in a Yukata). I found this the most attractive place in the onsen.
Later on , everybody wanted to move to the hot water..
In the Yukata changing room , we had to just take it off , and move in. At the entrance they give us 2 towels , one big one ,and another really small one apparantly for head use. I managed (in the very crowded place) to take my Yukata off and rap my body with the big towel. My plan was to make it in ,then stay inside the hot water for until everyone is done.
BUT!
Before we could enter we were told we could NOT enter with anything other than the small towel ...
Bolt shocked , and just to remember my face at that momet, red like a tomato
My friends were easier going. They just took them off. I literally refused to take it off , so everyone headed to the bathrooms in attempts to convincing me .
To tell the truth , I did not at all enjoy looking at my friends naked. Neither did I enjoy looking at dozens and dozens of naked women. I do not mean any offence , but when I remember it , my stomach feels bad ...
Finally I just walked in with the small towel.
As time passes by , I don't know if I could say you get used to it. But seeing that nobody acually stared at me , and there were just too many naked people , I felt less tensed. I liked the outdoor spring the most. It gives a feeling like the one when you are very cold , and drinking hot cocoa. I found the indoor springs to be very hot , sometimes presuring on my chest.
In the outdoors there were also the "barrel" type water containers ,barely fits for two persons. but that was beyond the limits I could pass ..
Ok so I went over with a fully traditional onsen experience , what did I come back with ??
The hot spring has many attracting facilities. But I see no reason for banning modesty. It will make no less fun if everyone walked in with their swimming suits , rather, it could be a nice place to take photoes and show them to your friends and family.
I was ashamed that I wore a swimsuit when I entered a hot spring of "Germany" and "New Zealand".
huh
it must be so true everyone has their own taste
Hi Suki-Yaki!
I assume that you're a girl and living in the Tokyo area. I understand that you are reluctant of undressing in front of strangers--to tell you the truth I am, too. You should start off with an "onsen" complex in Hakone, where you can go in your bathing suit! It's like a swimming playground with "onsen" instead of plain water. You can spend the whole day there! You can see it here:
http://www.yunessun.com/lang/en/english.html
Epigene san , thank you alot for the useful comment and link!
I think that was the right way to start off . But after going through the traditional onsen , I think I really prefer this swimming suit onsen.
"Most onsen facilities separate men and women. There are "konyoku (mixed-gender)" type, but not many."
Yikes , there are mixed ones ?!
However, I like the "roten-buro" (outdoor bath), where you can enjoy the cool outdoor air and the water less hot than the indoor types.
Is that what it's called , "Roten-Buro" . I enjoyed it the most as well , so natural .
