WordPress is being difficult today. I’ve corrected stupid typos over and over. I’ve closed the app, restarted my phone, and retyped the post three times. Uncle. This one won’t be perfect. It will have its own wabi-sabi.
The pictures won’t load with the narrative correctly. So, I’ll front load the narrative and back load the pictures. You’re all smart. You will figure it out. In the mean time, I’m hoping to figure the glitch with my WordPress app! Stat!
Now begins the blog:
Even before I arrived in Japan, I was told about Japanese Onsen. Japanese Onsen is a hot spring bathing facility. The volcanic activity under the island creates naturally occurring hot springs. Many hotels have private onsen and are situated around an area with very active hot springs. Also, there are public onsen. I’ve been curious about Japanese Onsen, but because of my tattoo, I am not permitted to visit. Tattoos are not permitted at Japanese onsen because tattoos are associated with the Yukuza (Japanese gang members). It was by pure luck I learned about the private / hourly onsen in Takeo. The onsen I went to visit was Takeoonsen. It was about an hour train ride from Sasebo Station.
I caught the 10:14 local train from Sasebo Station. It took two trains to get to Takeoonsen Station. I must reiterate how I feel like a city girl visiting here after living in Yokosuka. These rickety old trains go clickety-clack!! Not to mention, they are only two car trains. The smallest one we see near us is six cars!
As I left the train station at Takeoonsen, there were no ticket machines to input my ticket. Instead, I handed my ticket to the ticket master. Now it makes sense why I can’t use my PASMO train card. They don’t have card readers. Again, feeling like a city girl!
Immediately leaving the train station I was greeted by signs for the Takeoonsen.
There were signs like these marking my way there. Speaking of onsen, have you ever noticed this emoji ♨️? It means onsen. Notice the top sign on the left.
Next two pictures – the front of the onsen and the history.
Narrative- when you enter the onsen, you are provided a menu to choose your onsen. I selected a private onsen and was told in Japanese and a quick game of charades to go around the corner.
The receptionist was so kind and helpful. We did our best to communicate despite the language barrier. I paid ¥3400 for an hour in a private onsen overlooking the forest.
The room included my own changing area, private toilet, and toilet shoes. Because Japan.
The onsen tub was immaculate. So clean. And the view! The doors open to not only enjoy the view, but to help cool down. I did love how my skin felt during and after my soak. The Sulfur from the hot spring really softens the skin. It’s amazing.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the onsen. I thought an hour wouldn’t be enough. But, after 40 minutes, I was opening the doors and ready to chill before I got dressed. I’m not sure this experience is for everyone. I’m not sure Dave would even like it. One person I know would love soaking in a HOT bath, my sister in law, Juliana. She would be all over this!
I’m sorry this blog was so disjointed. I don’t know why WordPress is being so challenging. I’m hoping for easier blogging tomorrow!
