Hot Springs Bathing !

"Hot springs are a little like a sauna" Ken explained. "This one is in the open air in a beautiful setting and can be used even in winter because the water is so hot." It was now autumn and there was a little chill in the air. "What will I need ?" asked Debbi. "Nothing" said Ken. "A small towel is provided but the baths are used naked. It is mixed bathing at this bath because everyone wants to appreciate the mountain environment !" "Oh" said Debbi, a little less sure. She was not normally that shy about her body but her recent shaming experience made the prospect of getting naked again in public less appealing. "It is all very natural, like a sauna in Finland" Ken reassured her. He was being somewhat disingenuous since, while mixed bathing was indeed allowed at designated baths, in practice young Japanese women would not frequent them, preferring the single sex alternative. The clientele at the mixed baths were overwhelmingly male with just the occasional elderly Japanese matron or young Australian backpacker !

Ken explained the procedure. Bathers would be given a towel, then would undress and place their clothes in a locker. Then they would shower prior to entering the baths. After soaking for some time, the bather gets out and washes with soap before rinsing thoroughly and then returning to soak some more in the spring. No soap should ever get in the springs but this procedure was designed to maximise the benefit to the skin. "It is all wonderfully relaxing" Ken concluded. It certainly sounded like a luxurious and novel experience. Debbi just hoped the other bathers would be as civilised as Ken claimed. Ken paid for them both at the reception area, where they were both also issued with their towels.

Debbi was pleased that there was a single sex locker room. She undressed and stowed her clothes. In one way she was relieved to be the only person there but on the other hand, another female presence would have been welcome. She quickly showered, there was no need to spend too much time on that, she had showered that morning already. She discovered that the towel supplied was not a large bath towel designed to preserve modesty but simply a functional hand towel. Oh well, she thought, here goes nothing. And she headed towards the outdoor exit and the distinctive sulphurous smell of the springs.