The blues and roses of the sunset sky melted with the arrival of stars above. Lights from night-fishing squid boats bounced and glittered on the horizon when I tilted my head downward. I was sitting in a traditional Japanese cedar-wood bath on the tenth-floor roof of a gorgeous Japanese-style hotel named Genji Koh in Minamichita, Japan. If you are driving along the coastal road, look for the sign below. Directions for drivers and train riders are here. My friends and I were searching for an onsen for an evening soak and chose to try this one because of the seaside location and the hotel's attractive exterior. Many fine Japanese hotels allow both overnighters and visitors to enjoy the baths. We paid 1,600 yen (around US $11.00 at writing time) to enjoy the baths, a relaxation room, and towels.
Two birds called to each other in their private language somewhere in the sky. When the birds ceased conversing, I heard gentle waves rhythmically slapping Yamami Dolphin Beach below. A gentle wind off the sea kept my head cool while I soaked in the higher-than-40-degree warmth of a natural Japanese onsen.
My evening goal was to test the temperature and mood of each bath.
Each one was soothing.
The ripples spreading across the surface of the hot water surface represented the stress fleeing my body and soul as the view and Earth's thermal goodness worked their healing magic on me. According to the hotel's information, the spring water contains sodium, calcium, chloride, and saline that help cure or reduce pains related to arthritis, neuralgia, and poor circulation.
Wellness experiences like these are the principal reason I reside in Japan. Other incentives are the beauty of Japanese art and the deliciousness of superb restaurants I discover in remote locations, often by chance. Not only did the hotel have soothing baths with expansive natural vistas, but the owners had filled the lobby and hallways with gorgeous arts and crafts, for example, check out the closeup photograph of a traditional kimono on display in the hotel.
The area I have written about in this post is part of the Chita Penisula, south of Nagoya. Despite being close to the Chubu Centrair International Airport (which has an airport bathing facility), only a few international visitors know much about this charming region. Another incredible aspect of Chita Penisula is the considerable number of days ending with gorgeous sunsets.
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| Sunset and a nori seaweed farm |
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| A fisherman watches the sun dance on the horizon |
If you are in Nagoya City and need refreshment, try the bathing facilities below, but the information needs updating.
What a beautiful area to visit!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. Please add more comments as you wish.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your insight and wonderful photos. You should compile a book or guide of all the places you have visited. I would buy one.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your positive feedback. You are right. I should write a book about Japanese hot springs, and I would like to do so, but I need more free time, so please wait a bit. In the meantime, I would love to read your onsen recommendations. If you feel like adding some in the comments section, I would be overjoyed.
DeleteFascinating! Since I often spend time in Nagoya, I want to learn more about remote places to visit and things to do.
ReplyDeleteFor short trips from Nagoya, you can get to many famous places on the bullet train quickly. If you want to see places that are not on the major tourist maps, check out the Chita Peninsular. Look it up on the internet or visit the information centers at the Nagoya Train Station and Chubu Centrair International Airport.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place ❣️
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