A hot spring is so much more than hot water or a great way to relax. Bathing can be a way to learn about Japanese culture if you keep your eyes, your mind, and your skin pores open. In Japan, many hot springs have spiritual connections. This is not so unusual: consider the significance of water in the rituals of Christianity and other religions.Chousenji is the name of a small temple in Beppu, Oita, which is far off the tourist radar. It has a lovely little hot spring in its quiet garden.
An old lady opened up the door to the temple and greeted us. She noticed that we had walked into the temple grounds with our lunch bags, and she kindly suggested that we sit in the garden and eat before taking a bath. We asked how much we should pay for the bath, and she said that it was up to us, any amount of money would be fine.
After eating, my wife and I walked into the small room with the bath. As I closed the door, another bather appeared and seeing that my wife and I were walking into the only bath, he wandered away. Hopefully, he returned later.
The bath was immaculately clean. A small Buddhist shrine was in one corner. In the other corner, was the spout where the hot water poured out into a small square container before sliding into the tub. A cup left near the spout indicated that the water was drinkable, and seeing that the water was freely flowing from the source, I felt comfortable drinking the mineral-rich water, which was slightly sulfurous.
The worn wooden bath was just the right size for two people. We were intimately close, yet we could still stretch.
I left this hot spring feeling that I had found one more memorable spring to write about and feeling that I needed to learn more about Japanese culture and hot springs.
One of the most beautiful hot spring and shrine combinations is on Sakura Island.
Bathe with an open mind, open eyes and open skin pores!
One of the most beautiful hot spring and shrine combinations is on Sakura Island.
Bathe with an open mind, open eyes and open skin pores!
Very touching. Amazing how much one can learn from a seemingly straightforward action such as entering a hot spring bath. Keep the posts coming! I want to know when you reach enlightenment!
ReplyDeleteI have just come back from 3 weeks in Japan (my first visit there), and I certainly became a onsen addict! I went almost everyday, it is such a good place to relax, learn about Japanese culture, and meet people!
ReplyDeleteI did walk to that shrine in Beppu, which I thought was probably the most intriguing shinto place I visited in my whole trip (did you go inside the actual shrine, where some kids music gets triggered on it's own, and there is this kind of dark hidden alleyway all around the shrine which you have to crouch down to access?). I didn't know they had a onsen in there! I definitely have to go back and try it out! Such an interesting shrine. ♨♨♨
Hello Antoine,
ReplyDeleteI did not enter the actual shrine, so I am very intrigued by what you have written. Going inside has now become, thanks to your comment, one of my goals. Please go to the following post to read more about a great hot spring and shrine combination in Japan. http://hotspringaddict.blogspot.jp/2012/06/sakurajima-active-volcano-hot-spring.html?q=shrine Thanks for commenting.