Have Horse, Will Bathe

If you've spent some time busily watching daytime TV and working hard to esure a varied diet, you would probably agree it's about some for some downtime in a Japanese onsen.





　 And what better place to go, than Arima Onsen ("Have Horse Onsen"), not only "the most holy onsen in Japan" (according to the tourist map), but also "the oldest spa area in Japan" (according to the website). The Jinglish quote of the day is :

"
Arima hot springs are natural ones that have been used since ancient times when people had no skills of digging in the ground. Presently the digging skills are highly-developed, however, they are also providing us with hot water full of natural blessings ...
"

The reason for the holyness is not clear, but it may have something to do with this mini-shrine:








　 Nice, isn't it?

Set on top of a hill above the town, it protects the source of the water:


　 And, in fact, the shrine is so holy that even the graffiti is done on stickers:

　 Now, the onsen itself has carboxylic acid water, and the town is famous for its soda crackers, known in Japanese as "Caroxylic Acid Crackers".

　 However, the website also says that there is a Radon ("improves your natural healing power") and an Alkali spring ("Strongly basic ferruginous sodium chloride spring of a high temperature ").

Now, apart from the Radon bit, which does sound a little odd, I seem to remember from school that having acids and alkalis together in the same place results in the chemical equivalent of a high-speed car crash involving a Ferrari and a Porsche.

Although, clearly, this being Japan, people tend to drive responsible cars like Toyotas and Daihatsus. And, on the whole, very, very carefully (except for Osaka lorry drivers).

So, perhaps by meticulous planning and copious politeness, the acid and alkali baths don't encroach upon one another.

Now, the onsen itself. You can stay in a hotel:

Fairly awsome.


　 But do remember to have a wash before you get in the water, in this case slap on a load of Horse-Oil brand soap:

So, if you're staying in a Ryokan (Japanese traditional hotel/guesthouse) how about the room? 　

Usually, you get given some tea:


　 And a mystery box, containing...


More tea !

　



But also the ubiquitous wet hand-towel:　

　 And also an immaculately-wrapped...


　 　 ... Carboxylic acid wafer filled with green stuff.

Not the best Japanese sweet out there, to be honest.


　 Now, although you have to sit on the Japanese (tatami) floor, you do get to lean against a piece of furniture expressly designed for sitting on Japanese floors:

　

　 But if you get in the lift, you can sit down on a chair:
　


Also, don't forget to put your Geta on before you go out.

Looks painful?　


That's only because you are supplied with high-technology socks, specifically to fit the Geta. And, if you're really lucky, you can even get.... 　

　 ... your very own Zen garden! 　


　 Okay, now if you walk around town, you can soak your feet in a communal hot spring:

Or drink some spring water. This water actually tastes like mud.　

　 I know I was supposed to tell you about high-tech toilets today, but I just got carried away - sorry.