"One Onsen bath will make you three years younger."
24/11/2018
That's a famous Japanese saying about onsens. Not only are they considered a miraculous beauty and health treatment, but the Japanese have elevated the habit of bathing in onsens to an art form, a way of life, and a national cultural characteristic. But onsens aren't just found in Japan; in fact, they've become addictive worldwide. Let's explore some amazing hot spring bathing destinations in Asia with Travellive – you might just find one that catches your eye.
Sakunami - Sendai, Japan
Japan is considered to have the most abundant hot springs in the world. Currently, there are approximately 20,000 hot springs in the country. However, not all natural hot springs meet the standards to be called onsen. Hot springs must have the necessary temperature and mineral content.
In Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Sakunami, known as the "Hot Spring That Creates Beauty," was discovered 1300 years ago and is considered sacred by locals. Benefiting from a naturally warm stream rich in minerals beneficial to health and especially for the skin, Sakunami has become a particularly attractive destination for tourists visiting Miyagi. Here, the hot springs are divided into various types of bathing rooms. Ryokan (inns) offer options such as stone baths, open-air onsens, and tachiyu (deep-water baths). Additionally, there are Miyako-no (day-trip baths) available for day-trips. A trip to Japan in winter or spring would be incomplete without experiencing an onsen.
Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi
Hotline: 022-395-2052
Beitou - Taiwan
Beitou – one of Taiwan's two most famous hot springs – is a sulfurous hot spring with emerald green water, constantly emitting steam like a paradise, and has a strong mineral scent… Particularly noteworthy is the mineral spring running throughout the neighborhood, so if you stroll through the streets, you'll see steam rising from the drains and hear the bubbling sound of boiling water, creating a very pleasant experience.
Here, you can experience onsen baths with temperatures reaching nearly 45°C and admire the picturesque scenery shrouded in mist. The abundant minerals offer unparalleled therapeutic effects after just a few hours of soaking in the spring water. Notably, Beitou also has a public onsen bath area with extremely affordable prices for both locals and tourists, around 30,000 VND per person.
Besides the hot springs, don't miss the beautiful wooden library, considered a symbol of Beitou – a destination for those passionate about architecture and the endless supply of books; remember to visit the Thermal Valley, the Hot Spring Museum, and sample the local tea.
Wenquan Street, Beitou Dist., Taipei, Taiwan
Hotline: +886 2 2895 5418
Deokgu - Gyeongsang, South Korea
If you're a loyal fan of Korean dramas, then images of saunas and public bathhouses will be familiar. Not only in Japan, but South Korea also cherishes the "onsen bathing culture." Visiting Deogku hot springs, you'll understand that there are countless romantic experiences waiting for you.
Deokgu is a famous hot spring resort known for its luxurious indoor pools and incredibly romantic outdoor pools. While the indoor pools offer privacy and tranquility, the outdoor pools allow you to immerse yourself in pristine nature, feeling the white snowflakes falling amidst the ethereal mist. Soaking in the warm water on a cold winter's day is a truly wonderful experience.
Deogku hot springs have a high mineral content and an average temperature of up to 43°C. Regular bathing here will give you firm and supple skin. Furthermore, Deogku offers in-water treatments that allow you to massage your neck, back, and legs with powerful jets of water.
Sikkim is one of the most captivating destinations for tourists visiting India. Here you can go hiking, visit ancient villages, and especially enjoy hot spring baths. The hot springs in Sikkim have many medicinal and therapeutic values. The average temperature of the hot springs is 50°C. And Reshi is one of them. However, Reshi is more famous for its religious significance than for the minerals it possesses.
The Reshi hot springs are located 25 km from Gyalshing, on the banks of the Rangeet River. In ancient times, Reshi served as a winter spa, a place for pilgrims to soak in the springs because of their healing mineral content. Near Reshi is Lho Khandro Sang Phug, a small monastery and a sacred cave known as the "cave of the mystical fairies." The presence of the cave and monastery gives the Reshi hot springs special significance to Indians and pilgrims alike. Furthermore, because Sikkim is located at a high altitude, the area experiences very cold winters, with temperatures dropping to -40°C in some places, which also contributes to the popularity of the hot springs.
Another interesting feature that Reshi offers visitors is the availability of small, affordable huts where they can stay overnight.
Gangtok, Sikkim - India
Huanglong - Sichuan, China
The Huanglong Valley boasts over 3km of natural hot springs. Huanglong, meaning "Golden Dragon Mountain," is known as the "Human Jade Pool"—a precious lake on earth. This region is famous for its numerous lakes, spread out like colorful terraces. These lakes were formed by geological deposits of calcium minerals. The Huanglong Valley contains over 3,000 lakes and small springs, all with a turquoise color. It's a popular tourist attraction in Sichuan Province, China. While most lakes in Huanglong are primarily for sightseeing, some are available for bathing. You can experience natural hot springs at Pearl Boiling Lake and the lakes south of Huanglong, where the water contains minerals believed to be therapeutic and skin-rejuvenating. This is especially the best time to visit this area.
In addition, the valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, so the temperature here is quite low, making it ideal for soaking in hot mineral springs and admiring the "fairytale" scenery.
Songpan County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China
Onsen is one of the unique cultural aspects of Japan. If you're experiencing an onsen for the first time in Japan, you need to pay attention to their specific rules. The Japanese are not only principled in their daily lives, but when it comes to onsens, it's a tradition, a habit, and a source of pride.
1. Put the shoes in the closet.
When visiting a Japanese home, you must remove your shoes at the door. Similarly, when going to an onsen (hot spring bath), your shoes must be stored in a locker near the entrance to the bathing area.
2. Go to the correct changing room.
In onsen bathhouses, changing rooms are often marked with drawings or sometimes curtains. Red is usually for women and blue for men. If you pay attention, you'll notice this color-coded distinction is also used in Japanese restrooms.
3. Put all your belongings and clothes outside.
A distinctive feature of Japanese onsen bathing is that you are not allowed to wear clothes inside the bathing area; all your belongings must be stored in a basket or locker outside. You are even only allowed to bring a small towel to protect yourself from the wind when moving between different bathing areas. Because onsen bathing in Japan is a form of bathing in hot springs amidst nature, you are not allowed to wear any clothing, and photography is strictly prohibited in this area.
4. Cleanse your body before entering the water.
This is the first step when you begin bathing in an onsen. You need to clean your body to maintain general hygiene before entering the communal pool; the Japanese are quite meticulous about this. Because the water temperature is above 40°C, and in some areas even up to 60°C, you should soak your feet first to allow your body to gradually adjust to the temperature in the pool.
5. Keep towels separate.
The small towel you bring to the bath can be wrapped around your head or folded neatly and placed there, as some Japanese people often do, or you can place it next to where you are bathing. Absolutely do not drop the towel into the water.
6. Put things in their designated places.
If you use any items in the bathing area, you need to put them back in their designated place after use. This is a matter of courtesy in Japanese culture and most countries around the world.
7. Keep quiet.
Onsen bathing is a time for people to relax and relieve stress and fatigue. Therefore, you should absolutely avoid speaking loudly or making noise in public places, especially in places where people need a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
8. Not for guests with tattoos.
This is a rule in Japanese onsen bathing: If you have tattoos, you are absolutely not allowed to bathe in an onsen. However, there are some places specifically for foreign tourists where, if your tattoo is small, you can still bathe, but you should also ask the supervisors beforehand.
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