You should Try Outdoor Bath

   Snow monkeys are popular among the foreign tourists to our prefecture. They are the wild monkeys that enjoy hot spring even in the snow. I have never seen the monkeys but seeing their photos, they look mellow in the hot water. Not only monkeys but also we, mankind love hot springs especially in winter. Thank to the volcanoes(!?), we have so many hot sprigs in this area, Nagano. Last Sunday I enjoyed a hot spring that located ten minutes drive from my house. Since long ago people go to hot springs when they get tired or have pain in their bodies . It really works!  

 Once one of my colleagues refused bathing in the public bath saying, “ I’m a shy Westerner.” Japanese public bath culture must be very different from other ‘s. We don’t wear swimming suits. Usually we bath with other people. We even enjoy talking with others like, “ It isn’t much cold this winter, is it?” “No, indeed .we have little snow. Will we have enough water for the rice pad?”  When you visit Japan, you should try onsen, hot springs. I especially recommend ‘rotenburo’, outdoor bath. You can see mountains, trees, or flowers from the bath. At night you can watch the moon and the stars. In this season you can see the scenery covered with snow while you are in the hot water. Sounds great?