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Anyone here been to an onsen? Does it really match the marketing or is this more of people falling over themselves with Japan fascination?

bschwindHN 3y ago
Onsens are great! I go to several every year. They're especially good after hikes or winter sports like skiing. The best I've been to have outdoor areas with snow falling, it can be so peaceful and relaxing.
canvascritic 3y ago
I've been to an onsen during a trip to Japan. The entire process, from the washing ritual to immersing oneself in the hot spring, is an experience that's hard to articulate Whether it aligns with the marketing or is part of the "Japan fascination", I think, is really hard to say especially as an outsider myself There's a tranquility to the surroundings, but it's often disrupted by throngs of tourists. we weren't prepared for the intensity of the sun, even on an overcast day. got chafed and sunburned after a day out, a reminder that nature has its way. that being said, immersing in the onsen was surreal in its relaxation, a balm for the burns. In any case it was an experience, certainly not a cheap one, and it was punctuated with moments of discomfort but also deep relaxation.
- bschwindHN 3y ago
  > In any case it was an experience, certainly not a cheap one Do you mean the onsen, or travel to Japan in general? Onsen are typically less than 1000 yen to enter - quite cheap for the relaxation they give you.
  - buzer 3y ago
    I would imagine most of tourists experience onsen during ryokan visit instead of going to separate bathhouse and those tend to be somewhat expensive.
  - canpan 3y ago
    Second this. Even some cheap (~$30 per night) guesthouses have onsen. Also you can often get into the fancy hotel onsen by paying a small fee, even when you are not staying.
- ginko 3y ago
  >In any case it was an experience, certainly not a cheap one, and it was punctuated with moments of discomfort but also deep relaxation. Fancy onsen ryokan can be quite pricy, but I wouldn't say it's expensive in general. I'm currently in Matsuyama and entry to the Dogo onsen bathouse (one of the oldest hot springs in Japan) is like 460 yen per person. Many hotels also have hot spring baths in onsen towns without it being too expensive. Dormy Inn is a good example. That's a chain of business hotels which always comes with a bath in the top floor. Price is a bit more expensive than regular business hotels, but nothing over the top.
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
Klonoar 3y ago
Fun experiment, watch how many articles about Japan make it to the HN front page versus just about any other country (that's not America).
- Aeolun 3y ago
  Japan is in the unique position of being very different from western countries, while still being extremely easy for westerners to come to and move around in.
mitthrowaway2 3y ago
I found them fantastic and wish we had anything similar in this part of the world. But I don't know you can possibly trust my answer, or any other that speaks positively of onsen, if you suspect people might just be falling over themselves with Japan fascination.
achoice 3y ago
Yasuragi in Stockholm Sweden is a popular Japanese style spa retreat. Highly recommended if you have time to spare and relax. I love going especially in the winter to relax and leave the digital stressful everyday life. https://www.yasuragi.se/en/ https://www.yasuragi.se/en/
- deanc 3y ago
  I can second this location. It’s more of a spa than an Onsen though. An incredibly expensive and award-winning one!
LatteLazy 3y ago
I went to several on my pre-covid Japan trip. 1 was in a city and big and quiet plastic. 1 small suburban on that was very traditional and one near Fuji was about 50% outdoors. All were really nice. I really wish we had something like this here in London.
canpan 3y ago
Onsen are geat! I love them. I especially recommend outdoor onsen (Called rotenburo) in winter when it is snowing. You have to get over the first hurdle to be totally naked with strangers. But I often go at a time when it is mostly empty. Disclaimer: I live in Japan.
rmm 3y ago
Yes. They are pretty awesome. What blows my mind is that some are crazy hot. I recall one where I could barley keep my feet in only to have some local Japanese kids jump in as if it was a play bath.
minikomi 3y ago
Regularly. Sento and onsen are part of life and travel here in Japan. Some are better than others but they're always welcome, especially when on a bike camping trip.
deanc 3y ago
It’s just a different way of having a nice spa. I found the ritualistic traditions around it to be calming. I spent a few hours at the one I was in and it was silent and almost meditative. I remember leaving afterwards thinking that I had a pretty much blank mind while there and was entirely present in the moment.
lhl 3y ago
Onsen are great (being out in a starry night in a rotenburo (outdoor bath) with a light snowfall is a must-experience IMO), but a lot of what you're paying for will be the traditional ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) experience and kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese dinner) that usually accompanies an onsen stay. Personally, I'm a big fan, and I'd recommend everyone to give it a try if they can (but to also research the manners, rules, and exceptions - tattoos are a big no no in most public onsen). For those visiting an onsen for the first time, you can use a site like https://selected-ryokan.com/ https://selected-ryokan.com/ (which includes private onsen) or (my recommendation) Booking.com to find something tourist friendly and read the reviews.
- Aeolun 3y ago
  You can find ‘just onsen’ in Tokyo too, no need to go far out of your way. Though you’ll be missing some of the experience of natural beauty. It is however, significantly cheaper. I think we can enter for like 500 or 700 yen.
rwmj 3y ago
It took me a few years to get used to, but now when I'm in Japan I can't start my day (or end it) without 15 minutes in the onsen. Best experience was going to one in the mountains, in the middle of winter, only person there, and sitting in the 40C water in a snowstorm.
smfugit 3y ago
Its marketing + the "conspicuous leisure" class over uses Japan all the time to signal/buy status. If you can afford it great. If you cant, its not the end of the world.
- mitthrowaway2 3y ago
  ? Onsen are available at all price levels, and popular with blue-collar workers; they are not a high-class exclusive activity. It's not like having dinner with a geisha or something.

bschwindHN 3y ago

Onsens are great! I go to several every year. They're especially good after hikes or winter sports like skiing. The best I've been to have outdoor areas with snow falling, it can be so peaceful and relaxing.

canvascritic 3y ago

I've been to an onsen during a trip to Japan. The entire process, from the washing ritual to immersing oneself in the hot spring, is an experience that's hard to articulate Whether it aligns with the marketing or is part of the "Japan fascination", I think, is really hard to say especially as an outsider myself There's a tranquility to the surroundings, but it's often disrupted by throngs of tourists. we weren't prepared for the intensity of the sun, even on an overcast day. got chafed and sunburned after a day out, a reminder that nature has its way. that being said, immersing in the onsen was surreal in its relaxation, a balm for the burns. In any case it was an experience, certainly not a cheap one, and it was punctuated with moments of discomfort but also deep relaxation.

bschwindHN 3y ago
> In any case it was an experience, certainly not a cheap one Do you mean the onsen, or travel to Japan in general? Onsen are typically less than 1000 yen to enter - quite cheap for the relaxation they give you.
- buzer 3y ago
  I would imagine most of tourists experience onsen during ryokan visit instead of going to separate bathhouse and those tend to be somewhat expensive.
- canpan 3y ago
  Second this. Even some cheap (~$30 per night) guesthouses have onsen. Also you can often get into the fancy hotel onsen by paying a small fee, even when you are not staying.
ginko 3y ago
>In any case it was an experience, certainly not a cheap one, and it was punctuated with moments of discomfort but also deep relaxation. Fancy onsen ryokan can be quite pricy, but I wouldn't say it's expensive in general. I'm currently in Matsuyama and entry to the Dogo onsen bathouse (one of the oldest hot springs in Japan) is like 460 yen per person. Many hotels also have hot spring baths in onsen towns without it being too expensive. Dormy Inn is a good example. That's a chain of business hotels which always comes with a bath in the top floor. Price is a bit more expensive than regular business hotels, but nothing over the top.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]

Klonoar 3y ago

Fun experiment, watch how many articles about Japan make it to the HN front page versus just about any other country (that's not America).

Aeolun 3y ago
Japan is in the unique position of being very different from western countries, while still being extremely easy for westerners to come to and move around in.

mitthrowaway2 3y ago

I found them fantastic and wish we had anything similar in this part of the world. But I don't know you can possibly trust my answer, or any other that speaks positively of onsen, if you suspect people might just be falling over themselves with Japan fascination.

achoice 3y ago

Yasuragi in Stockholm Sweden is a popular Japanese style spa retreat. Highly recommended if you have time to spare and relax. I love going especially in the winter to relax and leave the digital stressful everyday life. https://www.yasuragi.se/en/ https://www.yasuragi.se/en/

deanc 3y ago
I can second this location. It’s more of a spa than an Onsen though. An incredibly expensive and award-winning one!

LatteLazy 3y ago

I went to several on my pre-covid Japan trip. 1 was in a city and big and quiet plastic. 1 small suburban on that was very traditional and one near Fuji was about 50% outdoors. All were really nice. I really wish we had something like this here in London.

canpan 3y ago

Onsen are geat! I love them. I especially recommend outdoor onsen (Called rotenburo) in winter when it is snowing. You have to get over the first hurdle to be totally naked with strangers. But I often go at a time when it is mostly empty. Disclaimer: I live in Japan.

rmm 3y ago

Yes. They are pretty awesome. What blows my mind is that some are crazy hot. I recall one where I could barley keep my feet in only to have some local Japanese kids jump in as if it was a play bath.

minikomi 3y ago

Regularly. Sento and onsen are part of life and travel here in Japan. Some are better than others but they're always welcome, especially when on a bike camping trip.

deanc 3y ago

It’s just a different way of having a nice spa. I found the ritualistic traditions around it to be calming. I spent a few hours at the one I was in and it was silent and almost meditative. I remember leaving afterwards thinking that I had a pretty much blank mind while there and was entirely present in the moment.

lhl 3y ago

Onsen are great (being out in a starry night in a rotenburo (outdoor bath) with a light snowfall is a must-experience IMO), but a lot of what you're paying for will be the traditional ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) experience and kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese dinner) that usually accompanies an onsen stay. Personally, I'm a big fan, and I'd recommend everyone to give it a try if they can (but to also research the manners, rules, and exceptions - tattoos are a big no no in most public onsen). For those visiting an onsen for the first time, you can use a site like https://selected-ryokan.com/ https://selected-ryokan.com/ (which includes private onsen) or (my recommendation) Booking.com to find something tourist friendly and read the reviews.

Aeolun 3y ago
You can find ‘just onsen’ in Tokyo too, no need to go far out of your way. Though you’ll be missing some of the experience of natural beauty. It is however, significantly cheaper. I think we can enter for like 500 or 700 yen.

rwmj 3y ago

It took me a few years to get used to, but now when I'm in Japan I can't start my day (or end it) without 15 minutes in the onsen. Best experience was going to one in the mountains, in the middle of winter, only person there, and sitting in the 40C water in a snowstorm.

smfugit 3y ago

Its marketing + the "conspicuous leisure" class over uses Japan all the time to signal/buy status. If you can afford it great. If you cant, its not the end of the world.

mitthrowaway2 3y ago
? Onsen are available at all price levels, and popular with blue-collar workers; they are not a high-class exclusive activity. It's not like having dinner with a geisha or something.