Enjoy Yoga or Stretch Pole Exercises Before Bathing in a Japanese Hot Spring

Japanese hot springs promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Add yoga exercises or stretch pole exercises to double the health benefits. The folks at Senami Onsen in Murakami, Niigata, have a plan to help you lose stress and loosen up your body with healthful stretching.

 From the right angle, the thermal mineral and ocean waters merge. This is one of the baths at Taiseisou.

One-hour yoga or stretch pole sessions start at 2:00 and end at 3:00 on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. Stretch pole events are almost always on the second Saturday. The teachers are professionals hired by the Senami Onsen Association. Although the yoga teacher did speak English, the two Israeli tourists and the one American who joined her session participated by following her movements. The two Israelis said that they had a fantastic time and felt wonderful! One added that doing yoga in such a beautiful location was so far the highlight of her trip. Our yoga and bathing healing session took place at Senami Onsen Resort-Hotel Taiseisou. The kanji for Taiseisou is 大清荘。

The views from the baths and the yoga room were almost identical:  panoramic perspectives of light blue sky, dark blue water, and relaxed, smiling faces.

These events happen at various hotels within Senami Onsen. Check the schedule to learn specific details. Unfortunately, the plan is in Japanese only.  Contact me in advance if you need help. Yoga mats are free. The rates are the following: 600 yen for Senami hotel guests, 600 yen for members of the association, 1,000 yen for day participants with reservations, and 1,100 for participants who drop in. Hotels will charge for towels. We brought our own. The fees above include access to fantastic baths.

I met him after yoga and a bath. Look how calm he is.

Senami Onsen is a walkable hot spring village along the Sea of Japan on the northern end of Niigata Prefecture. Trains run from Niigata City to Murakami. Murakami has a long history of fishing, salt-making, agriculture, and cooking with seafood, especially salmon.  Very few foreigners visit Murakami. Local festivals are unique. Most hot spring baths face the sea, and the sunsets are legendary. For those reasons, I recommend visiting Murakami and bathing in Senami Onsen.

Hotels and ryokans range in price from 6,000 to just over 50,000 yen a person per night. Breakfasts and dinners are usually included in the price. Three other recommended Senami bathing spots are Taikanso Senaminoyu  (大観荘せなみの湯), Shiomiso Inn, and Haginoya.