[Grainiary]

This is a bit off the kendo topic, but my family is planning on a vaction to Japan around November. Anyone that travelled to Japan know of any nice ryokan (traditional style), especially nearby onsen (hotspring)?

Any recommendation would be appreciated. None of us been in to Japan and it would be an experience!

[Gintovtosik]

Could you fill us in on what area in Japan you're planning on visiting? I know of a few, but that's information that is only relevant if you're going to Kyoto.

[Reftsheette]

Jessica

The threeplaces I have been to which really stuck in my mind were
1. Meotobuchi - this is a mountain resort not far from Hakone as far as I can remember. In the winter they have deep snow and you can sit outside in the water while the snow falls on you. There is also a naked mixed bathing hotel and spring resort if you fancy that sort of thing (that wasn't an invite by the way )
2. Kagoshima - many many resorts here but I think the best are in the Ibusuki area. They are absolutely fabulous but also the price reflects this.
3. Nikko - up in the mountains again and lots of small resorts.

I'm afraid I went about 10 years ago so can't remember the names of the places. I'm sure the JNTO can help though (Japan National Tourism Office).

If you can't find the info on the interweb and are really desperate please PM me and I will dig out the details.

Have a good time.

[BuyNetHosting]

[quote=Andy_Watson]Jessica
The threeplaces I have been to which really stuck in my mind were
1. Meotobuchi - this is a mountain resort not far from Hakone as far as I can remember. In the winter they have deep snow and you can sit outside in the water while the snow falls on you. There is also a naked mixed bathing hotel and spring resort if you fancy that sort of thing (that wasn't an invite by the way )
2. Kagoshima - many many resorts here but I think the best are in the Ibusuki area. They are absolutely fabulous but also the price reflects this.
3. Nikko - up in the mountains again and lots of small resorts.
[quote]

Near to Kagoshima I prefer Kirishima to Ibuski. The countryside is much prettier up there. Ibuski does have hot sand baths which are great though.

Sakurajima also has a nice outdoor onsen overlooking the sea. You have to wear yukata because its next to a Shinto shrine.

[LypeReexy]

http://www2.gol.com/users/jolsen/onsen/index.html

Here is a link with a list of onsens. It may atlaest give you a start

[Poeetiol]

Thanks!

We are thinking about visiting Mt. Fuji area - not sure how accessible it is during winter time (travelling around Nov) but I hear the area has some of the nicest onsen with a mountain view. That would be wonderful. Thanks for the website crosshair. The one in Kagoshima, Ibusuki onsen sounded interesting, instead of water you bury yourself in the sand - have to admit, I've never heard of that before. Although I'm not sure if I want to be buried in sand

Any of you visited any area around Mt. Fuji?

[IodinkBoilk]

I can recommend one in Shimoda. I think it's name is Kura House. Something like that. It has a variety of baths to choose from. The entrance hallway was used as the model for the place in Spirited Away. It's on the Izu peninsula and is not far from Tokyo. It makes a good one day/one night trip from Tokyo. Also lots of history there from when Perry was in Japan. Their ships couldn't stay in actual Tokyo Bay so they were forced to park (whatever the real sea word is) in Shimoda. Nice place...

[Babposa]

I cant remember where exactly I went (a beach out of tokyo???) where my japanese friends took me to a public bath. It was fabulous!!! I was in there for an hour and they had to drag me out I loved it so much (there were separate mens and womens baths). Apparently it was in an area where only the locals really use it, no tourists, but they were very polite about me being there. Id definitely do it again.

[PZXjoe]

That's another good suggestion... if you can't get to an onsen, a public bath (sento) can be a great place to visit. Depending on the size and type of sento, it's like having multiple types of hot tubs in one place and you hop from one to the next and then roast in the sauna or hop in the freezing cold bath etc for however long you can... just read up on bath ettiquete first. Also, some public baths provide the soaps and stuff, but others don't... be careful to ask first so you don't take someone else's stuff assuming that the sento provided it...

[Plaumpholavup]

I'd be too embarrased to go to a public bath

And the mixed-sex bath? oh my.

[IoninnyHaro]

I'd be too embarrased to go to a public bath

And the mixed-sex bath? oh my.

People often bathe together in Japan. Sento or onsen are good places to visit with friends. It is possible to find an onsen that you can use privately, but really they are places where people bathe in groups.

You will get over the nudity factor pretty quickly. After that its no problem.

I would avoid mixed baths if you are a Western woman. You might get a few stares from dirty oyaji (haha).

[infinkPoode]

You'd be surprised how quickly you can get over the embarrassed feelings. After about 30 seconds you realize no one cares except you so one of two things happens: you either shrug it off and enjoy the bath or never do it again.

And the mixed bathing thing is so rare these days now that I wouldn't worry about that. Even if you wanted, they will probably be hard to find. Of course this could be my urban perspective on things. Don't know if the countryside is different...

[Mereebirl]

Actually I think that ladies tend to hide their modesty or whatever the expression is, with a large white towel. Men do indeed get over the nudity thing but that's because we're macho, hairy, clumsy oafs.

I did go to one onsen in Kagoshima where a Japanese got in without washing - I glared at him the whole time he was in there and he got out fairly quickly!

Tako!!!

[retTreftowhexm]

Haha yeah I've seen plenty of Japanese guys jumping in the bath unwashed. My local Sento was pretty grubby, and often builders would wander in, splash their balls with bathwater from a tub and jump in.

There's a denkiburo (electricity bath) which was awful frankly. The twitchy tingling feeling as you step in made me feel like I was having a heart attack or something. There's one old guy who was always in there. Usually dipping his nuts in and groaning "KIMOUCHIII".

[Faigokilix]

Electricity Bath!

I just spat my water over the keyboard after reading that!

I'm hoping to head to Japan next year - up north mainly. I'd like to try these baths (Apart from the Electricity one that is!).

[PlayboyAtWork]

If you're still looking for a nice place to visit, you should go to the Kanaya Onsen in Shimoda. It has a senninburo (1000 person bath) that is quite large and quite nice. They have separate baths for women, and the women can join the men in the main bath and outdoor rotenburo if they want to as well. My family came and we stayed there for Christmas. It was my 3rd time to stay there and I love the layout of the place. It's very unique, and the seafood (sashimi) is very nice. It is a bit pricey, but worth it.
Sorry I don't know the link directly, but I'm betting you can find some information if you search for 千人風呂 or カナや温泉 on japanese google.

[blenIgnigeSef]

i would definitely suggest anywhere in Beppu. I went there christmas day and boxing day 2003 for a taikai and we stayed in an onsen... nothing better than sinking into a boiling hot japanese bath after a tough day doing kendo