Went out into the suburbs of Tokyo for a mineral spring onsen in #Kanagawa, in a commuter town with streets lined with small factories and the warehouses, not one to win Japan’s prettiest street award. But tucked away to one side is a big public onsen, #mizonokuchi: a sort of mineral-spring bathhouse where working locals go early in the morning, or to unwind after work, or to relax at the weekend. And feeling absolutely in need of unwinding I got here today (Saturday) mid-morning. It was packed – about 50 of us all naked in the men’s onsen – and then even more people in the restaurant (with fantastic food, I had the sashimi tempura set).
The spring has lots of different bathing areas and saunas at different temperatures, and with different water types: some milky looking and heavily carbonated, the other Le pumped with carbon dioxide and loookingalmost like hot black tea marmalade soon feels very soft and smooth now, any muscle aches have gone, and the soles of my feet feel much better.
Entry was 800¥, plus a bit extra for towels, lunch was 1100¥. When I left the lady at the cashier, possibly surprised that another westerner had found them (it’s a bit out of the way) asked “will you come back again?” And I immediately said “yes, absolutely!”
