Onsen

An onsen is a Japanese hot spring bath, heated naturally by volcanic geothermal water. By Japanese law (Onsen-hô, 1948), it has to be at least 25°C and contain certain natural minerals. There are over 27,000 onsen sources in Japan and 3,000 onsen towns. In a luxury ryokan, the onsen comes in different forms: rotenburo (outdoor), uchiburo (indoor), kashikiri (private). The ritual is strict: total nudity (single-sex baths), wash thoroughly sitting on a stool before getting in, then soak silently, no swimming, no splashing, no loud conversation, tattoos sometimes still a problem. The famous onsen ryokan: Hoshinoya Karuizawa, Tawaraya in Kyoto, Aman Kyoto, Ginzan Onsen Notoya. Once a year, basically every Japanese person goes to an onsen.