I spent a month in Japan in 2009 and fell in love with this quirky country. Though it feels very western in so many ways- no square inch is missed as an opportunity for advertisement, men and women wear the trendiest of clothing, and there is a Denny's and 7/11 on every street corner in every major city-there are still things that felt extremely foreign to me.
One thing for instance is public bathing. In Japan it is popular to go to the public baths as a sort of spa (though I was told in Tokyo the public baths are strictly for men if you know what I mean). I visited the public baths in various places across Japan and always enjoyed it. The baths are gender-specific and usually contain local fresh hot spring water. Sometimes there are multiple baths with varying temperatures.
One has to shower before entering the baths to avoid contaminating the public waters. But, even in private Japanese homes, it is common that one has water drawn for a bath for the week for the entire family, and again, one showers before entering the bath to ensure the water stays clean for everyone else.
I traveled to a small village in the mountains called Hakone for a few days towards the end of my trip because it had been recommended as one of the top hot springs destinations in Japan. I've never been so relaxed in a foreign country where I cannot communicate in the native language as I was there (yes that is saying a lot). Waking up the beauty of the place was breathtaking enough, and it didn't hurt that I was staying at one of the oldest resorts in Japan, the Fujiya Hotel. And there are plenty of things to do in this small town besides visit the famous hot springs. One day I took lovely cable car ride to a tram ride to a boat ride across Lake Ashinoko, taking in the views of Mount Fuji along the way.
Hakone also has a lovely open air museum with an extensive collection of Western and Japanese artwork, including a sizable amount of Picasso pieces. Strolling through the sculpture garden, breathing in the mountain air, you'll wonder why anyone in Japan chooses to live in the city.
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| View from Lake Ashinoko |
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| Mount Fuji |
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| Graphic Art by a Japanese Artist at the Hakone Open Air Museum |
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