Spend an exotic holiday in Asia


Japan's Hot Springs

Japan's  Hot  Springseel bath? Granted, this may not sound
appealing. But do not worry. Eels are not
WHAT comes to your mind when you think ofreally found in these springs. The name was
Japan? Majestic Mount Fuji? The speedingchosen because when people emerge from these
bullet train? The megalopolis Tokyo? There issprings, their skin feels as slimy as that of
more to the land of the rising sun than thosean eel-a result of the alkalinity of the
famous tourist attractions. Whether forwaters.
medicinal purposes or for relaxation,
millions annually visit onsens-the hotAmid  Beautiful  Settings
springs of Japan. During one recent year, an
estimated 140Â million people checked inSoaking in thermal waters amid such beautiful
at a hot-spring inn or hotel in Japan. Butsettings as mountains, valleys, rivers, the
what  makes  these  spas  so  popular?seashore, and the plains makes for a uniquely
pleasant experience and leaves an impression
Onsen  Historythat will not be easily forgotten. Because
many of Japan's hot springs are located
The Japanese have enjoyed bathing inoutdoors, bathers have a clear view of great
geothermal waters for many centuries.natural beauty. The ceiling above is the
Writings dating back to the eighthdeep-blue sky, while the surrounding
century C.E. mention the use of hotmountains serve as walls. The sounds coming
springs. Evidently, the 16th-century feudalfrom this "outdoor room" can be a choir of
lord Takeda Shingen championed the medicinalbirds singing in the morning or the melody of
value of mineral springs. After battles, hea gently flowing brook. Really, there seems
and his samurai warriors bathed in hotto be no end to the appealing features of the
springs to help heal sword wounds, brokenhot  springs.
bones, cuts, and bruises. The waters were
also useful for relieving stress and forDoes bathing under a waterfall interest you?
preparing  the  men  for  the  next  battle.This experience can be yours. Cascading
waters give you a massage and add another
Of course, bathing would place the samurai indimension to bathing Japanese-style. It is
a vulnerable position-that of being unarmedalso possible to bathe in a cave, where hot
in the event of a surprise attack. Tomineral waters bubble forth from the deep
overcome this problem, Takeda Shingen maderecesses of rock formations. Some springs are
use of a group of remote and secludedlocated on the beach, with a perfect view of
springs, which later came to be known asthe sunset, whereas others are nestled
Shingen's hidden baths. Interestingly, thesealongside  rivers.
same springs are now used by professional
athletes, including sumo wrestlers andNo matter what the location or type of hot
baseball players, in the belief that thespring chosen, one thing is certain: If you
waters can reinvigorate their bodies forbathe in volcanically heated springs, you
future  sporting  endeavors.will experience, if for but a moment, relief
from the stress of daily living. You will
Unique  Geographic  Featuresemerge truly refreshed and perhaps a little
closer to the Japanese life-style. So if you
Japan's geographic features are particularlyhave an opportunity to visit this part of the
suited for thermal springs. Studding theworld, by all means enjoy the onsens-the hot
surface of the archipelago are some 245springs  of  Japan!
volcanoes, 86 of which are active. These
volcanoes stand as a sobering reminder ofHOT  SPRINGS  AND  SHOGUNS
events taking place deep beneath the surface
of  the  earth.  What  do  we  find  there?Mineral water was highly esteemed during the
Edo period (1603-1867). Military dictators,
The Japanese islands are situated on top ofcalled shoguns, actually had the waters
converging lithospheric plates, or slabs oftransported in wooden barrels supported by
crust. Magma, molten rock, is believed to bepoles from Atami to Edo (Tokyo)-a distance of
generated along the point of convergence of70Â miles [110Â km]-on the shoulders
these gigantic plates. Located directlyof human carriers. At several points along
above-and functioning as visible outlets-arethe route, the prized waters were handed over
the volcanoes. This geothermal zone alsoto a different team of carriers, and they, in
serves as the fountainhead of heat to theturn, bore the load over their leg of the
underground springs. Interacting with magmajourney. In this way the mineral waters were
or hot rocks, the groundwater is warmed andtransported at a brisk pace. The thermal
absorbs minerals, resulting in idealwaters collected at the source were nearly at
conditions for onsens to be born. It is forthe boiling point. On this arduous trip of
good reason that the book The Hot Springs ofsome 15 hours, the water from the springs
Japan notes: "No country in the world is sowould cool down to just the right temperature
blessed with natural hot springs as Japan."for the shogun to enjoy a rejuvenating bath
Indeed, a 1998 study lists 2,839 hot springsin  his  castle  at  Edo!
in  the  land.
Onsen  Etiquette
Japan's hot springs come in a variety of
styles, sizes, shapes, and colors. In anAccording to custom, soaping and washing is
effort to classify the therapeutic value ofdone outside the hot springs, after which the
the springs, the Japanese Environment Agencybody is rinsed thoroughly. Then it is time to
has organized them into nine chemicalsubmerge in the clear mineral waters. It is
categories. The names given to hot springsbest to ease in, for the temperature of some
often refer to their characteristics. Forsprings can be quite high. When finished, do
instance, springs rich in iron may make yournot rinse off the minerally rich water. Just
towel turn reddish-orange. Hence, the wordwipe yourself dry with a towel. It is thought
"red" is incorporated into their names.that minerals that soak in may help soften
Springs with a high saline content are namedyour skin.
salt baths. And how about taking a dip in an



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