Without a doubt, visiting the onsen (Japanese hot spring) has to be my favourite activity when all you want to do is just relax. It’s one of the things I miss most when back in Canada simply because we have nothing that compares to how the great the experience is.

The whole part about getting naked with a whole bunch of people is totally just a little obstacle that those who have never been will absolutely get over. It’s really good to know that any embarrassment you have wears off so quickly once you realise that everyone around you considers this time totally normal.

Once you put your clothes away in the locker (100 yen, but you’ll get your deposit back. How nice!), you’ll proceed into the main bathing area where most people typically head to the shower area to soap up and rinse. All the soaps are provided and all the stalls are sitting areas with dividers between. You can spend as much time as you want showering which is a pretty sweet concept; unlimited showers! But don’t stop there as there is plenty more waiting for you.

Most onsens will have a few indoor and outdoor pools. The variety of such will depend on the specific onsen you visit, but don’t forget to check for outdoor pools. The pools range in temperatures (super cold to super hot), some might have jets, carbonation, electric bars (yes, this is thing and it’s crazy to experience), various natural additives to increase wellness, size (large all the way down to a personal tub), and probably a lot of other aspects that I am missing.

There can also be saunas and/or steam rooms if those tickle your fancy, too.

Once you finally succumb to all the heat, rinse off, dry a little bit with the little towel you carry around with you (which I forget to mention, never goes in pools but can be placed on your head or off to the side) and change back into your clothes. If you come at night, a lot of people will change into super comfy night attire like sweat pants and baggy shirts.

Or if you are like me, you change back into jeans and act like you never went in yet.

Now you might be thinking that your onsen experience is over and it’s time to go home. And I suppose you could be right, or, you can stick around and chill cause there are more options for you.

Find a lounge room and read all the manga (comic books) in the world. Watch TV or just chat with your friends. Have kids? No worries, there are typically child friendly play areas to keep your little ones occupied and happy.

You’re probably thirsty so you can grab yourself anything from water to beer to milk and pretty much whatever is typically found in Japan. Ice cream is awesome and that’s usually what I buy cause boy does that feel nice.

If you are feeling extra sore, go get a message, or maybe you burned a ton of calories and are feeling hungry, go grab a bite at the restaurant.

You could spend as little or as much time here as you wanted, your choice. It’s just awesome that so many options await you for however you might be feeling after your great onsen experience.

So, if you ever go to Japan, do yourself a favour and find an onsen. Get past the artificial awkward barrier that you might put up, and enjoy a life changing (yes, it actually is) and enlightening experience.