travel memories
Added 2023-04-10 14:00:00 +0000 UTCThe other day, I went on a trip to a famous hot spring resort in Japan.
There are hot springs all over Japan, but I visited Kusatsu, one of Japan's three major hot springs.
A large number of foreign tourists also came
One of the Japanese "healing" is to take a hot spring
Are there hot springs in your country?
Also, is there a culture of bathing in hot springs?
This is a picture of Kusatsu's "source"
The hot springs are always gushing out and the steam is rising.
Various shops are lined up in the hot spring town
In particular, "manju" is famous as a food in the hot spring town.
"Manju" is one of the typical Japanese sweets
In the hot spring town, freshly steamed buns are sold at stores.
About 100 yen each （ $1 or less ）
It's a lot of fun to stroll around while eating these sweets.
Next, regarding hot springs, hotels and inns in hot spring towns have very large shared baths.
Separate entrances for men and women
Japanese hot springs have to be entered naked.
This may be a little embarrassing for foreigners
No towels or swimsuits are allowed, so everyone must be naked when using the hot springs.
I couldn't take a picture because cameras are not allowed inside the hot spring, but it was very spacious and comfortable.
Hot springs are separated by gender
However, recently there has been an increase in chartered hot springs, so families and couples can use them together.
There are types of indoor baths and outdoor baths.
The temperature outside is below 10℃ at this time of year, so the water in the bath is a little hot.
The water in this hot spring contains a large amount of sulfur.
It has a strong bactericidal effect, and your skin will become smooth after taking a bath for about 10 minutes.
The temperature of the hot springs is often high, around 42°C, so be careful not to overheat if you don't usually take hot baths😂
Most hot springs in Japan are located in mountainous areas.
The mountainous area is rich in nature and the air is clear and very comfortable.
Each season has its own merits, but spring is the most colorful and beautiful.
Azaleas are in full bloom at this time
The color is darker than cherry blossoms and very vivid.
In addition, "daffodils" are in full bloom and the mountain path is very beautiful.
It might be fun to rent a car and drive through the mountains.
There are many rivers and lakes, so I definitely want you to see the clear water.
Many foreign tourists go to urban areas such as Tokyo and Osaka, but I would like to recommend a slightly rural area such as a hot spring town.
There you can experience the good old Japanese culture and traditions that you can't find in the city.
Also, there are always ice creams made with local specialties on sale at tourist spots in the countryside.
Many of them use fruits that are local specialties
What I ate was ice cream made from fresh milk from plateau ranch
it was so delicious 😋🍦
Spring is the peak season for picking strawberries, so there were various types of strawberry ice cream on sale.
This is my brief report of this trip.
I hope you got interested in Japan after seeing this
Comments
It seems that there are few countries other than Japan that incorporate hot springs into their lives. There are various hot springs with different spring quality in various places in Japan. Each town has a different atmosphere, so finding your favorite hot spring is one of the pleasures😄 I hope you can enjoy hot springs when you come to Japan someday.
nono
2023-04-12 02:13:07 +0000 UTCI live in Oregon (US) apparently there are a lot of hot springs in this state but I’ve never visited any of them. Those photos are super pretty btw I want to visit japan eventually💖
nin10ja
2023-04-11 19:01:27 +0000 UTCWhen I get the chance to go in the future, I'll be sure to ask for your advice on the hidden gems of places to see! It's been a dream of mine to visit ever since childhood!
TTurt1e
2023-04-11 03:10:02 +0000 UTCYou have to be naked when you enter the hot springs, so I think many foreigners feel reluctant to do so. However, we Japanese are used to it since childhood, so we don't feel particularly embarrassed. The hurdle may be a little high, but if you don't mind, please try it😂 Rather than embarrassment, you will be impressed by the splendor of the hot springs!
nono
2023-04-11 02:39:16 +0000 UTCI would like everyone to see the scenery of Japan that is not listed in guidebooks. There are many tourist spots in Japan that are not conspicuous, but they are wonderful. I hope you can come to Japan someday and experience them.
nono
2023-04-11 02:36:09 +0000 UTCPoint of view of a (French/Quebec) Canadian: "Are there hot springs in your country? Also, is there a culture of bathing in hot springs?" Sadly, I never saw hot springs here (but we have spa, so I don't know if it counts) "This may be a little embarrassing for foreigners" For most North Americans, it would be a scandal, but for me, it's not too bad. It's better I think. I already wanted to visit Japan for its culture and its history. Now, I have even more reasons to visit it. It's so beautiful ❤️
Goldorion
2023-04-10 16:38:40 +0000 UTCSuch beautiful pictures, nono! I'd really love to visit Japan one day and go to a hot spring. I've never been to one before. There are some in America, but there isn't as much of a culture around it - at least not like in Japan. Thank you for sharing and I hope your trip has you well-rested!
TTurt1e
2023-04-10 16:22:27 +0000 UTC硫黄泉なのは知っていましたが、目に沁みるくらい酸性が強くて、これは確かに殺菌能力高そう！って思いました。アトピーにも効くんですね！確かに肌荒れに効果あったので、アトピーにも効きそう（掻きむしった後だと恐ろしく沁みそうですが😱）今も温泉街には射的場とか残っててなんか感動しました。私が行った日はかなり気温が下がってしまい、夜はとても寒くて散策どころじゃなかったんですけど、もうちょっと夏に近づいたら夕暮れから夜にかけて街を散策するのも気持ちよさそうだなと思いました。 あと、結構な人数の外国人観光客が来ていたことにびっくりしてます。ホテルの方も英語が話せるスタッフさんが何人も配備されてて、時代と共に温泉街も進化してるんだなーって感心しました！
nono
2023-04-10 15:53:40 +0000 UTC美肌効果は本当に実感できますね。アトピー肌の自分が1泊で温泉に浸かるだけでも肌が綺麗になります。 源泉が複数あり湯めぐりで違いを楽しめるのも草津温泉の魅力だと思います。 公園のように広い温泉の賽の河原、温泉街の道中で饅頭とお茶を配る客引き… 以前は昭和のネガな部分もあったのですが、時代に合わせて改装しているのが日本一に選ばれる温泉街たる所以だなと感じました。
2023-04-10 15:46:01 +0000 UTC群馬県とても良いところですね！私は関東に住んでいながら群馬はあまり訪れた事がなく…草津温泉に最後に行ったのも、まだ学生時代に両親たちと一緒に行ったのが最後でした。今回かなり久しぶりに行きましたが、湯畑の周りはほとんど変わってなくて感動しました！オシャレなお店は増えていましたが、温泉街の古き良き雰囲気は健在で、すごく良かったです！何より泉質がかなり良いですね。これは子供の頃には気付きませんでしたが、さすが日本三大温泉だけあって、一晩でかなり肌と髪がツルツルになって驚きました！
nono
2023-04-10 15:32:01 +0000 UTC鮮やかな花々が咲き誇る春の草津温泉も素敵ですね。 群馬はいつも晩秋に伺っているので、いつか春の山々も見てみたいと思います。
2023-04-10 15:26:49 +0000 UTCAmong Japanese hot springs, the water quality of Kusatsu is extremely excellent. Japan also has a culture of bathing in hot springs to heal injuries and illnesses. Hot springs are closely connected to our lives😄
nono
2023-04-10 15:18:08 +0000 UTC"Are there hot springs in your country? Also, is there a culture of bathing in hot springs?" There's a lot across America but outside of old tales of Native Americans and Pioneers using them to survive long cold winters we 'don't really have a culture around it. At least not to the level Japan has it. Thank you for sharing, Kusatsu is definitely going on the old "bucket list".
Legless1HitWonder
2023-04-10 15:12:40 +0000 UTC
