Japanese culture lesson#2: Public Bath

It was a long day rushing for deadlines for the project, so last night I told the team, "Stop here, let's go home!" It was already 10.30pm and I know that no way we can finish checking the data last night. A question asked by colleague, "Shall we go to onsen then?"  I was like "Eh, at this hour?" I was too tired to think so I said "Yes, let's go". It has been late nights and really the hotel just for me to catch my 6 hours of sleep.

We travel in his car and we passed by a sign says "今の気温 0 ℃" bbrr...no wonder we were freezing! 30 minutes later, we finally (it was really cold in his car as the heater doesn't work well) arrived at the onsen which is at the border of Tomiya town and Sendai town. The lifestyle around here (Miyagi prefecture) is probaby very different from the lifestyle in Tokyo as it is countryside area and surrounded by many mountains, which also explains the culture of taking hot spring bath.

So, stepping into outdoor bath area on 0 ℃ day is really a huge challenge for me, especially I have not been living in 4 seasons country. Let me tell you that "IT'S FREEZING COLD!" and I was quite shocked to see many smoking HOT ladies walk passed me when I was taking my bath. I mean literally "smoking hot" as there were steam coming out of their bodies after they dip in the onsen pool! haha...(sorry guys, not what you have imagined)

Yuttarien

I feel re-charged after the 30 mins of the "miracle" bath and of course starving too. We proceed to have our supper at the rest area while discussing about the small girl I notice while taking bath. She is probably at the age of 3 and she speaks quite loud for her size. I like that she is very enthusiast and talking a lot to her mother in many short sentences. I just think she's so adorable! She keeps saying "Arigatou" when the mother passed her towel, her comb, her clothes one by one. When she said "Boku wa...", the mother corrected her and say "Watashi wa..."  What I understand that only boys use the word "Boku wa..." and it's inpolite for ladies to say that word when refering to herself.

I would say it's a good way to experience countryside lifestyle of typical japanese.

...to be continued,

kualibiru

Comments

[Wee]

Waaaah! Story well written! Love it, wish someday i will have the chance to take a one-month trip to Japan! ;)

[kualibiru]

Thanks bro, you should come. lots of eye opener experiences :) you'll love it!

[Audiodef]

Neat! I'd love to visit Japan someday - even stay for a while. 

[littleChild]

[this is good] Ever since it's my dream to visit Japan ;) Nice one!

[†Princess Elena†]

[this is good] wow, awesome! i hope to visit there too! :)

[ハレンチ]

When I was in Japan, I was much too shy to go to the onsen.  I regret not experiencing it. :(

[kualibiru]

@Audiodef: highly recommended to stay for a while instead of short visit

@LoveOnline, (° °) ☆ MITCHY, Thanks. Looking forward to hear your story after the visit. I know you will love it there

@ハレンチ: It took me a while to have courage to try onsen, so it's normal. Next time, give it a go! If you are comfortable with dipping in pretty hot water (40 degree+), you will love the experience. I know some people can't take onsen because it's too hot and making them hard to breath. Yeah, so it's really depend :)

[ハレンチ]

I think I will. :)  It has been about 6 years since I went to Japan.  I think I'm a bit more comfortable with myself.