Today, I took the train to Gero, an onsen town about 1.5 hours northwest of where I live in Gifu Prefecture. For anyone that doesn't know, an onsen is a Japanese public path, and Gero is full of them. Going to a public bath sounds a little strange if you've never done it before, especially since it is done naked, but once you do it one time, you will be hooked forever. It is very popular in Japan.
I arrived in Gero around 11:30, and after covering my tattoos with big skin colored bandages in the bathroom at the station so that people aren't afraid and think I am Yakuza (Japanese mafia), I headed off with my map to find some onsen goodness. And did I ever! The onsens there are truly amazing. While some are totally indoors, the majority of them also have outdoor baths. Since the air is only about 35-40 degrees now, it feels so good in the warm water with the steam rising off of it. It's kind of like going skinny dipping in winter time in a hot tub in the mountains with a bunch of strangers.
The onsens in Gero are fed from naturally occuring warm springs, that are said to have healing powers. And people have been coming to Gero for centuries.
The scenery was also amazing...nestled in the mountains, I could see the beautiful fall colors on the trees, and even a river and waterfall. All told, I went to 5 different onsens today before heading home. It was a perfect way to spend the day, and I can't wait to go back.
Now that I am home, I am eating dinner and laying under my kotatsu (special Japanese heated table). It has been a good day...definately top 5 since coming to Japan.
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