Japanese Onsen

Ever wonder what a Japanese Onsen is like?  I really didn't.  I just knew I wasn't going to go to one, because that's where people bathe....together.  It's where, while the women and men are separate, they can often see each other.  It's where I didn't want to be.

But then I found out not all Japanese Onsen's are like that.  Some are completely private.  You can go enjoy a nice relaxing bath by yourself in complete privacy.  Now they had my attention.  Oh, and by the way, there is an onsen, and there is an ofuro.  An ofuro is where you take a bath in regular water.  Onsen water has to have a certain percentage of minerals and natural hot spring in the mix, though it can be supplemented with regular water.  It doesn't have to be totally naturally heated from an underground heat source.

Our dear friends, the Morita's, offered to take us to a very nice, very reputable onsen which is also a very nice traditional Japanese hotel.  Brother Morita, by the way, was in the stake presidency--until he took us.  Just kidding.  He was released a few months ago because the entire stake presidency changed.

What a relaxing treat.  It was on the coast about an hour from Nagoya.  We spent about 45 minutes in what I would call a nice hot tub with a view of the ocean, and then all met up together and enjoyed a few minutes in some massage chairs, also with a view of the ocean, before going out to lunch.  Kind of nice.

So sit back, relax, pretend you are nice and warm, (which may be easier to do in your house than in ours) and enjoy these photos Lee got of a nice Japanese onsen.

I loved this beautiful vase, by one of many windows overlooking the ocean.

The entry of the hotel.

The ceilings--Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)

Part of the spacious lobby.

Fine artwork abounded.

The Morita's showed us around the hotel first.  We had arrived earlier than most people, so
we were able to see some of the Japanese hotel rooms.  Everything right on the floor.
We had to bend low to get through some of the doorways.

Very pretty, and very Japanese.

Here we are, minus my sweet photographer.  From left:  Sister Barney, our amazing Sister Kondo,
Sister Hara (darling ward member with a two-year old and a baby), Sister and Brother Morita.
These people are just dear to us; they will always hold a special place in our hearts.

This is on the bottom floor--just a place to relax during your stay.

Another nice art piece.

This is on the second or third floor--just part of the hallway between rooms.

You are looking at two sides of the same table.   Note that the chairs
are really just pads, not legs, right on the floor.  The table
is a bit over half of coffee table height.

Entrance to an onsen area.  Really.

Same place, around the next corner.

This is an outdoor onsen.  What is interesting to me about it, is across the way about 40 feet was another one.
One side is for men, and the other for women.  So if you use these outdoor onsens, you can
see across to the other onsen.  Not my style.  But I guess there are enough Japanese people who
aren't bothered by it.

I loved the art work all around the hotel.

And this, this is where I got to enjoy a nice soak.

A place to sit outside if you like.

And look at that view.

I stared at this intricately carved wood gate for
quite a while.  How long did that take to make?

This is actually Ise Bay, the big bay you seen on the map
with Nagoya at the top.

This is the corner of the onsen where you soap down and rinse
off before you get into the onsen.

Sister Kondo and me enjoying a view of the ocean
and one of the best massage chairs I've ever experienced.

Front of the hotel.  About five stories high.