Japan Culture : Onsens and Unzen
The Japanese term onsen refers to a hot spring; hot water that comes from deep under the earth in usually volcanically active areas. The term also extends to bath houses and private hot spas in places such as luxury hotels. The culture of bathing in onsens is recorded as early as the 6 th century in Japan’s cultural history books predating the phenomenon to the date the book was written. So, bathing in onsens is an ancient cultural cornerstone of the Japanese identity. Originally it was often a phenomenon for people of status such as the emperor and the other elite. In the modern era more and more onsens have been developed. It is a cultural phenomenon that much of the populace participate in. The method of bathing is usually to go in completely naked and thus many hot springs offer a male and female spa in separate settings. Although there are many mixed onsens despite some areas having banned the practice. You need not worry if you are self-conscious as previously mentio...