sez 0 Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 ....or are they much the same? I suspect people who are mad into them might see all the differences, but for the person who is new to them. For example, would the onsen in Yuzawa be very different to the onsen in Nozawa? Or Zao Onsen? Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
Snow Farmer 0 Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 Most of Nozawa's onsens are public and free to use. Very basic- though incredibly relaxing. These are generally different to the onsens in the Ryokans which tend to be quite luxurious. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 Lots of towns have free public onsen. Including Yuzawa and Zao. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 Depends on what u mean by different.......sure they are all just baths full of hot water but for me, I always want a rotenburo (outdoor bath). The design can be all different, from sleek, modern lines to old style cedar and bamboo baths. Of course the mineral content of the water will differ in different locations Link to post Share on other sites
634-maru 4 Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 Some are smellier than others. Some are hotel than others. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 They very a lot. Some have clear water which are gensen, others are brown and contain a lot of iron and look and look and smell like rusty iron. Then you get some that are brown but contain radium. There are also white sulfur onsens that smell like rotten eggs, salt onsens as well as acidic onsens. Temps of the water can vary from a very cool 35oC to as high as 50oC. They can be anything from really small to really big and can be found anywhere from the edge of a river to a posh hotel to the middle of a village. They also have different healing and relaxing properties. Ones such as radium onsens are good to help people recover and cure certain health ailments, others that have clea water that have a slippery feel to the water are good for your skin. There are also green, red, blue, white, black, purple and yellow coloured water onsens, although quite a few of these located in Kyushu are way way to hot to actually go in, and are more as a sightseeing attraction. There are also grey mud onsens where tje water contains a grey looking mud which you smear over your body, it is supposed to make you look more younger and make your skin tighter if used a lot. There was a nice one I went to in Kyushu not far from Bepu that was like this. You also have a choice of segregated or mixed onsens in some places too. Just a brief description from an onsen feak, lol. I must have been to like 1000 plus onsen all over Japan in the time I have been here. Happy onsen ing. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 The biggest difference I guess is that in the northern part of Japan, mixed onsens are not uncommon, but they are in the middle of Honshu. You've generally got to look for one and go out of your way if you want to go in with your missus (and other people). I like outdoor ones and generally have to be wet or cold or something to want to pay to go in an indoor one. We have an onsen style bath at home, so I like people getting money from me to outdo that. Its like paying a restaurant for food you can make better yourself. I'm not a massive fan of the free ones at Nozawa because most of them are too cramped. The one closest to the place we normally stay only has a tiny wooden lattice to get changed on and its right at the door with people coming in and out. No showers either, so its a case of squatting down by the bath and trying to scoop water out without disturbing someone in the bath or right next to it getting changed. An ordinary 400 yen onsen somewhere else with a changing room and showers is more relaxing. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Different?? I own one....the rest I don't. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 The biggest difference I guess is that in the northern part of Japan, mixed onsens are not uncommon, but they are in the middle of Honshu. You've generally got to look for one and go out of your way if you want to go in with your missus (and other people). I like outdoor ones and generally have to be wet or cold or something to want to pay to go in an indoor one. We have an onsen style bath at home, so I like people getting money from me to outdo that. Its like paying a restaurant for food you can make better yourself. I'm not a massive fan of the free ones at Nozawa because most of them are too cramped. The one closest to the place we normally stay only has a tiny wooden lattice to get changed on and its right at the door with people coming in and out. No showers either, so its a case of squatting down by the bath and trying to scoop water out without disturbing someone in the bath or right next to it getting changed. An ordinary 400 yen onsen somewhere else with a changing room and showers is more relaxing. Yes. This! Link to post Share on other sites
1 4 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I enjoy beautiful onsen in a good hotel if I stay somewhere. The kind with saunas and the like too. gouka! Link to post Share on other sites
teikiatsulover 6 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 The biggest difference I guess is that in the northern part of Japan, mixed onsens are not uncommon, but they are in the middle of Honshu. You've generally got to look for one and go out of your way if you want to go in with your missus (and other people). I like outdoor ones and generally have to be wet or cold or something to want to pay to go in an indoor one. We have an onsen style bath at home, so I like people getting money from me to outdo that. Its like paying a restaurant for food you can make better yourself. I'm not a massive fan of the free ones at Nozawa because most of them are too cramped. The one closest to the place we normally stay only has a tiny wooden lattice to get changed on and its right at the door with people coming in and out. No showers either, so its a case of squatting down by the bath and trying to scoop water out without disturbing someone in the bath or right next to it getting changed. An ordinary 400 yen onsen somewhere else with a changing room and showers is more relaxing. Mr. Wiggles, I found more mixed onsen down in Kyushu and up in Hokkaido than here on Honshu. I have seen kashikiri places around Hinshu proper but not many mixed onsen unfortunately. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Is this Hinshu on the island of Japan? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I think that's what Mr W. was saying, TKL Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 We have 4 mixed onsen here in Yamanashi that I know of and two which I have been too, one was real nice all open but set in the trees by a river. Very nice in autumn. Link to post Share on other sites
teikiatsulover 6 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Oops m(_ _)m My bad! Thanks! Yes, Hinshu is a brand new Sento Lando/Amuzumento Paaku that is berry berry toppu secretto!!! Only Abe and his Nihon Kaigi underlings know the secret place! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 They very a lot. Some have clear water which are gensen, others are brown and contain a lot of iron and look and look and smell like rusty iron. Then you get some that are brown but contain radium. There are also white sulfur onsens that smell like rotten eggs, salt onsens as well as acidic onsens. Temps of the water can vary from a very cool 35oC to as high as 50oC. They can be anything from really small to really big and can be found anywhere from the edge of a river to a posh hotel to the middle of a village. They also have different healing and relaxing properties. Ones such as radium onsens are good to help people recover and cure certain health ailments, others that have clea water that have a slippery feel to the water are good for your skin. There are also green, red, blue, white, black, purple and yellow coloured water onsens, although quite a few of these located in Kyushu are way way to hot to actually go in, and are more as a sightseeing attraction. There are also grey mud onsens where tje water contains a grey looking mud which you smear over your body, it is supposed to make you look more younger and make your skin tighter if used a lot. There was a nice one I went to in Kyushu not far from Bepu that was like this. You also have a choice of segregated or mixed onsens in some places too. Just a brief description from an onsen feak, lol. I must have been to like 1000 plus onsen all over Japan in the time I have been here. Happy onsen ing. Great write up on onsens you should do an onsen guide I would donate Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Thanks, I probably could write a guide I have enough info I have collected and experience going into them, but trying to sit down long enough and actually get my arse into gear to write a guide well that is another thing. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Dont calculate how much time you spend on these forums then you would be amazed what you could achieve I have been thinking about writing a small book on how too catch crayfish(lobster) for years now and haven't go around to it Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Yeah I think most of us spend way to much time on SJ, not that it is a bad thing, but ...... Link to post Share on other sites
sez 0 Posted September 11, 2014 Author Share Posted September 11, 2014 Thanks folks, interesting stuff. I am looking forward to trying some out. Link to post Share on other sites
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