Onsen (Natural Hot Springs) are very popular in Japan. Many towns with hot springs have become large touristic resorts. Because of the minerals in the water, the hot springs are believed to have the power of healing. In Japan. It is more usual to bath in the water than to drink it. Taking a bath in a hot spring is extremely relaxing.

The Japanese always have been enjoying the hot springs. Would you like to know a little more to enjoy the springs?

Just the hot springs are good for you. It doesn't means you should stay in the spring for a long time. It is better to keep it around 2,3 timesva day.

In Kinosaki, there are 7 public baths ( we call the public bath ' Sotoyu' ) . So you can enjoy the hot spring effectively.

A small fee is necessary to enter 'Sotoyu'. If you are staying at Ryokan in Kinosaki, please ask for your complimentary tickets at the front of your Ryokan. And you can get soap, shampoo and a towelto bring to the bath with you if you ask for these items at the front of your Ryokan,too.

At 'Sotoyu' men and women take their baths in separate halls. You can change out of your cloths. You do not wear bathing trunks or suits in the bath.

Please remember not to strait into the bath. If the temperatures is high, you had better warm yourself up before you go in. It always is nice to do so anyway for others in the bath so that they know you cleaned yourself.

By bathing in the hot springs, it not only relaxes you but it also balances your nerve system. The water pressure and buovancy is good for the stimulating the body.

After bathing, you want to clean yourself before you go out, especially it is a public bath. The minerals oh the hot springs don't get absorbed by the skin until about 7 hours later. So if you clean yourself when leaving, you are washing the minerals away too. It is better to clean yourself with a dry towel or to leave it for a while.

Not only are the hot springs good for bathing but also for drinking. The water contains minerals that will stimulate the metabolism. There are 3 'Yunomiba' where you can drink the hot water in Kinosaki. The water is officially permitted to be consumed . But don't drink too much. You had better not to drink hot spring water on an empty stomach and not before sleeping.