Onsen (spa) Visit

Bullet points required:

lEnter exclusive looking bath, remove flipflops and deposit in a locker, pay for your visit using yet another vending machine, then enter into the female changing rooms through red curtains.

lNo Tattoos! A sign of the mafia - you may well be thrown out

lOnly westerner in all-women Japanese city onsen (hot spring bath), stripping naked in the changing rooms I discovered I was far more self-conscious amongst all these tiny little ladies than I had ever thought I would be.Thankfully my modesty was protected by a small white towel which Yumi provided (somewhat odd getting completely naked with one`s homestay hostess, but nevermind!).

lOnce completely naked, we entered the baths themselves, and had a good old scrub in the showers, squatting on upturned plastic tubs

lThen….full immersion, in a selection of about 10 different temperature- ranging from scalding hot, to salty sulphurous spring water, to FREEZING cold (was quite proud that I managed a full 10 second submersion in this one, well, maybe three) baths of running and still water.

lSurrounded by plenty of mums with their babies/children, young kids, teenagers, right the way through to bowed and wrinkly old women, all of them having a good old soak and gossip.As did Yumi and I!

lA group of three girls spotted me and commenced an avid debate about different English phrases, which filtered through to me `I like tomatoes`, `How do you do`, `Bye!`.Sadly, despite a 20 minute discussion about all of these, plus plenty of giggling and glances thrown in my direction, they were far too shy to come across and test out their brilliant English on me!Though I did prompt a fresh bout of giggles when I waved and said goodbye upon leaving the changing rooms.

lYumi and I then re-showered, dried ourselves and dressed, and rehydrated with a free soda drink.

lObligatory Japan experience - though more than slightly daunting a task to achieve on your own as a sole Westerner!One of my many adventures which I have thought to myself `what on earth would I have done without my translator!?!`