Experience a Traditional Japanese Bath, an Onsen, with Me!

Peeling off my sweat-filled cycling gloves, I dig around in my backpack for toiletries and hopefully some dry clothes. I walk down the mountain side to the camp ground's main building where one can find the toilets, showers, and even a traditional onsen.

I remove my shoes before entering the building and place them in a small cubby hole. As I wait in line, the building already feels like a sauna and I must wick the sweat from my brow before I drip all over the floor. Yes! Someone has stepped out of the room. Pushing through the door, I place my belongings in a pale, green basked numbered 108. One women is skillfully stripping down and preparing her basket of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, face wash, etc. before enter the main room. Another woman, a biker from our group, is in from the sink and mirror brushing her teeth. By now, I am completely naked and ready to enter the onsen.

The next door slides open and a bit of steam is released, ah so nice. I pick up a small pink, plastic stool, no taller than 10 inches (sorry, I'm still getting used to the different conversions), wash the seat with available soap, sit down, and grab the shower head. Turning the nozzle to cold, I begin washing myself very thoroughly like the two Japanese women beside me. The cold water feels great after a day of collected grime from cycling through cities, rice fields, and mountains. Now that I am squeaky clean, I am allowed to step into the onsen.

Depending on the location, the temperature can be 41-44 degrees C (well over 100 F, I believe) and the baths can be indoors or outdoors. This one was indoors. The small bathtub was running clear water filled with minerals good for the skin. Left foot in, right foot next, and sink all the way down to the neck. Mmm, what a great feeling after a long day of cycling. Muscles were relaxing, my mind was at ease, and I was able to rest my eyes for a couple minutes.

According to our Japanese volunteers along for the International Peace Bike Tour, most people take 1-2 hours in the onsen. Unfortunately, I did not have that option as I knew there was a long line of people trying to get into either the onsen or shower before the campsite's bathing facilities closed for the night. I then reluctantly got out of the tub, quickly rinsed myself and returned to the changing room. Once dressed, I hiked back up the mountainside, just in time for dinner.