In Japan an onsen is a place where hot water naturally springs out of the ground for you to enjoy. We took a trip to Takaragawa-Onsen, an onsen about 2 1/2 hours from Tokyo. The water has an ever so slight hint of sulfur. A rotemburo is an onsen located outside, so you can enjoy the hot water as you contemplate nature.
In this particular onsen, women were encourages to wear “modesty towels” which actually worked just fine for me. I basically tied a towel around me then dipped in the water. It was hot, really hot, and very relaxing. For obvious reasons, we were asked not to take pictures in the onsen. This picture is taken quite a distance away. You may be able to spot in between the buildings some water which is where the onsen is located.
We have been many times to Takaragawa onsen, and probably if I ever come back to Japan with my wife, we would go again. It is really something that doesn’t exist in the same way anywhere else.
James
P.S. Nobody stopped us from taking pictures in the baths.
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http://homepage.mac.com/jhgowen/pictures/Japan/Takaragawa/Takaragawa.html
Wow, unbelievable photos. What a great time to go.
We went to the same onsen! What are the odds?! Next time you should definitely check out Hoshi Onsen, I liked it more, and it was about the same price.
Takaragawa:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unclevinny/sets/72157600739041555/
Hoshi:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unclevinny/sets/72157600738277435/
There are more Hoshi pix if you search my Flickr for “hoshi”. It’s amaaaaazing.
That is weird. There are so many onsen. I enjoyed looking at the photos. I had so much fun in Japan. I really hope we can go again. Hoshi is where?
Also in Gunma prefecture. Here’s a link: (http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/gunma/chojukan.htm)