A New Zealand Website called IOL is reporting that the Government of Japan is going to start a program to test the claims of what onsen owners have been saying for centuries. That taking a dip in a hot bath will cure you of ailments.
The government wants to overhaul 1982 standards by running scientific tests on the supposed health benefits, according to a report in the evening edition of the daily Yomiuri Shimbun. The 1982 standard was based on testimony and examples, and not verified by science.
The first time I was in an onsen, it was the dead of winter in Miyagi (up north, close to Sendai if your familiar with the area!) Anyways, my nose started to bleed a little because, what I assume to the case was the air was so damn cold, and the water was so damn hot, that my body didn’t know what the hell to do.
Oddly enough, earlier I had been more concerned about covering my tattoos and wondering if Japanese guys had ever seen a naked gaijin before. But now it was the bleeding nose that just embarrassed the hell of out me.
Anyways, the full article is HERE.
Let’s see… you’re nekkid and with other nekkid guys and, to be even *more* obvious, you’re a whitey tattooed nekkid gaijin… with a nose-bleed… which *everyone* knows is a sign of a strong sexual desire…. while being in the company of other nekkid guys who are watching you ’cause you’re a nekkid whitey tattoed gaijin.
Woah. Talk about bad timing.
Or an obvious invitation - not that there’s anything *wrong* with nosebleeds amongst nekkid men… .
Got a picture of this event?
Oy Vei!
How many people go to an onsen to get “healed”? Everyone I’ve known did it for fun.
It’s like drinking the waters at the Bath Spa. I’m sure they still say it’s “good” for you, despite the fact there’s no real evidence to say that’s the case.
I’ve talked to a few people actually who believe that going to an onsen has mystical qualities that will heal a human body. I don’t agree myself, but yeah its not rare to find people who think that.
Onsens don’t heal nothing but a tired body. Nothing mystical at all. A hot bath, a hot shower, a massage, lots of things heal a tired body. Mysticism is for the snake oil salesmen who make profits selling onsen oils and crap. It’s just a hot bath. Enjoy it for what it is. (and mixed bathing au naturel is best way…)
I’ve met people that believe it has scientific qualities that will improve your health they just couldn’t elaborate on it much.
They couldn’t elbaorate on it much because there is nothing to elaborate on. It’s just a hot bath. Hot baths are good for what ails ye. Period.