I was on my own today, as Tang's conference was in full force, and I went to Arima Onsen, a small town about an hour north of Kobe.
Onsen often means "hot springs" or "bathhouse", and a large part of Japanese culture and tourism is focused on this area. Arima is one of the oldest onsen locations, dating back to the 8th century, and it is a very popular tourist destination today. Arima has two different kinds of springs - the kinsen or "gold spring" contains high amounts of dissolved iron and salts, and the ginsen or "silver spring" has dissolved radium and carbonate. Each are supposed to have medicinal and healing properties. And to fully partake in the experience, you soak in a steaming hot bath (the water is 40 degrees C or 105 F) in the nude with the same sex.
I chickened out on that part....
Well, not so much chickened out... It was very crowded at the bath houses, and I decided to spend my time elsewhere.
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| Soaking my feet outside the Kit no Yu onsen - it was hot but very soothing. |
Because the town is so old, there are lots of shrines and temples. Most were built to honor healing of sickness or blessings of fertility to emperors. And they are beautiful - decorated with carvings of dragons and painted red or gold. Most of them have bells that you ring after donating some money and saying a pray to the gods, either for blessing from the waters or thanksgiving for the water.
Cue pictures!
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| Arima River |
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| Arima River |
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| Onsen-ji (Ji means temple) - built to commemorate healing of sickness |
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| Buddha at Onsen-Ji |
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| Ring the gong after saying a prayer |
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| Part of Tosen Shrine - built to enshrine gods of progeny and protection |
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| Lots of stairs to reach the top of the shrine |
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| Top temple of Tonsen Shrine |
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