So What's The Point?

It was the summer of 2006 when I first experienced onsen culture. I was 17 years old and on a language immersion program in Hokkaido, Japan. The family who was keeping me for the three months I was there tried to explain to me where we were going and what we were doing. Due to my lack of Japanese language skills at the time however, I had not a clue what was going on. Long story short; I stripped, I bathed, my world changed.

I guess I should have started by explaining what onsen actually is. For those of you who aren't familiar with the concept, onsen is the Japanese word for hot springs. The country is a hotbed (no pun intended) for geothermal/volcanic activity, and the Japanese have taken advantage of their magma-tastic country. Pools of hot, pungent, mineral enriched water are literally all over the country, and Japanese have enjoyed bathing in these for generations.

The point of this blog, however, is NOT about Japanese onsen culture nor is it really for you to learn something or be entertained. The point of this blog is that I, Genevieve, am on a quest to be an ONSEN MASTER, and I would like to document my experiences.

With a slow start and much time wasted while I lived in Beppu, the city with the most geothermic activity in Japan, I will have to start here in Tokyo and work my way back to Beppu to truly achieve my goal of being an onsen master.

After collecting 88 stamps of different onsen in Beppu city in a special "spaport", the government of Beppu will give all successful onsen maniacs the most coveted BLACK TOWEL.

Since moving to Tokyo last winter, I really regret not taking more time to go around and experience all the different types of onsen Beppu has to offer. I don't know how long it will take me, but I will make that towel mine. In the mean time, I will work with what I have around Kanto. Onsen heals my mind, body, and soul. Onsen makes my achy knees feel spry again and my acne go away. Onsen warms me from the heart, and this blog is dedicated to my hobby.

Some people collect stamps. Other people ski. I take baths.

Booyah.