Soaking in the soothing waters of a hot spring (onsen) is a quintessential Japanese experience, highly worthwhile as both a sensory and cultural experience. Being a land of active volcanoes and earthquakes, Japan is riddled with underwater aquifers, and taking advantage of these are thousands of hotels, ryokan and other establishments offering guests the chance to luxuriate in the steaming waters. Bathing is always naked, and most bathing areas are segregated by gender. Hence a knowledge of the kanji for man and woman, which is always displayed at the entrance of the bathing area, is … [Read more...]