Japan is a volcanic island, and as a benefit of this fact, Japan is rich on hot springs. According to the web page Tokyo Tomo (tokyotomo.com), there are about 150 hot spring sites in Japan. And the Japanese seem to love hot springs so much that they even have public bathes in places without real onsen. But why? Two explanations come to mind.
The first is religious. This might not sound logical, but if one takes Shinto (the Japanese folk religion) to mind, it makes sense. Shinto is focused on ritualistic cleansing of body and mind, so the popularity of onsen might be part of the religious background of the people of Japan. This would make the act of going to onsen, an act of social cleansing.
The second reason for the popularity of onsen is quite simple; to be naked. Almost all onsen and public bathes are gender divided, so it has nothing to do with sexiness, but it has everything to do with status. Japan is a very status oriented society. But in the onsen, very body becomes equal. Onsen is a place where you can relax and forget all stress.
So why do the Japanese people go to public baths and onsen, even though all homes at least have a shower? First going to the onsen might be consider as a social cleansing ritual, second it could be to get a break from the strict social hierarchy of the Japanese society. But then it might just be because it is fun.
For a little information on the tricky onsen etiquette and more about onsen sites here is some links:
onsensoaker.blogspot.com
http://kansaionsen.blogspot.com/
I'm not so sure if bathing in this case is so religious; the onsen and sento are incredibly relaxing.
ReplyDeleteHere is a source about onsen discrimination cases (not allowing foreigners to take a bath). Debito's book has an introductory chapter on why onsen and bathing are important to the Japanese.
http://www.debito.org/japaneseonly.html#english
Have you been to an onsen? How did you like it? What are your thoughts of the experience as a foreigner?