Fire is not the main concern of Gifu’s Gero as there people are preoccupied with water. Gero is now one of the top three onsen or hot spring destinations in Japan, the other two being Kusatsu in Gunma and Arima in Hyogo. Known as “beauty enhancing hot baths,” the onsen’s alkaline-based waters will make your skin smooth, said Ms. Tomiyama.
The onsen is also good for those suffering from rheumatism, motor function impairments, nerve pain, and neuroparalysis, among other ailments. Our first taste of these heated waters was the Gero onsen foot spa. Many establishments -- like restaurants and buildings -- have a shallow outdoor pool that’s free to the public.
When your feet get weary from all the walking and exploring, you can take off your shoes and dip them in the pools of hot water. We tried a real onsen at the hotel Gero Suimeikan. Also known for its Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats, the hotel has three types of onsen: an open-air bath, a cypress wood bathhouse, and an onsen with a panoramic view.
The onsen are not for the shy as one has to get naked to enter -- no bathing suits or underwear allowed. One can cover oneself with a towel when going from changing rooms to the bathing area, but the cloth cannot follow you into the waters.
As unnerving as this may be for most non-Japanese, being naked in an onsen is natural for the Japanese. Influenced by their disposition, one can just let the waters calm and relax you until you completely unaware of everything else and are one with the soothing warmth.
Business World
No comments:
Post a Comment