Japanese Culture in New York - Chopsticks NY

Japan has the longest life expectancy in the world, and it is often attributed to traditional healthy Japanese food. However, this is not the only thing to grant the Japanese people a long life.

Located on the volcanic archipelago, natural hot springs are spread nationwide. The majority of the hot spring resorts have natural mineral water produced by 2000-year-old underground volcanic activity, and the Japanese have enjoyed bathing in the natural hot water for centuries. Rich in natural minerals, the hot spring water has multiple effects to health such as blood circulation, rheumatism, arthralgic pain, smooth skin, and so on.

Because of its tremendous natural effects, hot springs, called onsen in Japanese, has established one of the major schools of the growing spa market in the rest of the world. The volcanic water temperature increases blood circulation, which consequently flexes the muscles, reduces fatigue, and enhances each body part’s function. With the 100% natural mineral bath streaming out between rocks, immersed hot water up to your shoulders, your relaxation is absolutely guaranteed. There are several après-bath options: shiatsu (finger-pressing) massage for further body treatment, icy-cold Japanese beer, or shots of Japanese sake in the bath, healthy Japanese cuisine, or strolling through a Japanese Zen garden. If you have an opportunity to go to outside hot springs, the relaxation would be multiplied by a breathtaking view from the hot water, fresh air and never-ending sky above you.

Onsen & Ryokan
While natural hot springs in the West were developed as medical and rehabilitating facilities, Japanese onsen is rather for bathing and relaxation. Therefore, most onsens are surrounded by traditional Japanese bed-and-breakfast, called ryokan. Ryokan is also becoming the focus for foreign tourists because of the beautiful traditional architecture, interior, thorough Japanese hospitality, authentic Japanese cuisine and, on top of that, onsen. Based upon the long-time service experience, ryokans know the best hospitality for long-distance travelers, and their food, drink and the room atmosphere are also inevitable elements of the authentic Japanese spa scene. If onsen is located outside, the luxury is multiplied with extremely gorgeous view from the bath and the unlimited sky overhead. While relaxing in the hot mineral bath, discover the historic ryokan quarters.

Spas near Tokyo
Within just a few hours train ride from central Tokyo, onsens are already available. Hakone, located on the way to Mt. Fuji, is one of the most famous onsen resorts among the Japanese people, and also remains a historic landmark. From the early 17th to the mid 19th century when Tokyo was the national capital and was called Edo, Hakone was the last checkpoint for east bound traffic before the capital. While being inspected for the permit to enter Edo, people would take a break in onsen, and many historic ryokans with spa facilities still remains today, attracting many weekend getaway travelers from the Tokyo area.

Unique Onsens
The Japanese discovered the health benefits from more than natural hot springs: On one of the major islands of Japan, Kyushu, people lay in the sand to “bathe.” The city of Ibusuki in Kagoshima Prefecture is full of southern mild weather, and the warm and beautiful sand beaches along the coast line are famous for steaming sand baths that are heated by subterranean geysers. Wrapped in a light kimono, people lie on sand and wrap themselves with the sand up to their neck. The comfortable weight of the sand and the heat stimulate the blood circulation and provide a similar effect as sauna to the body.

Apes in Onsen
Nagano is known to the world since the winter Olympics in 1998, but it has long been the most popular ski resort in Japan. Located in the middle of the central mountain range of the main island, Honshu, hot springs are scattered around Nagano between the ski resorts. Surrounded by dense forests and mountains, there are several monkey habitats in the area, and the human-like apes come out and dip themselves in the hot water for relaxation.

Keep in mind
Most onsen facilities are public and Japanese people traditionally bathe naked. Sometimes, particularly in outside onsen facilities, the bathing space is not divided for men or women. In recent years, the number of foreign visitors has been increasing and more and more facilities allow bathing suits in the water. However, do not be surprised if they reject your bathing suit and ask you to share the water with total strangers, men and women.

—- Nori Akashi: Marketing Specialist at the New York Office of JNTO

Japan National Tourist Organization
New York Office

One Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1250, New York, NY 10020
TEL: 212-757-5640 www.Japantravelinfo.com