See Japan

Well... I went to an onsen finally. It took me 4 trips to Japan to get around to it. For those of you unfamiliar, an Onsen is a natural hot spring. The water must be from a volcanic spring and they often are famous for having various minerals that can heal a number of illnesses. Traditionally they are outside, and most still are but there are indoor onsens which is what I went to. Here's an example of one outdoors and here is a not so great shot of the one I went to one station away from my apartment.

And, they're not just for humans. Seriously...

For Japanese people the Onsen is not just about relaxing. The onsen also provides opportunity to forget about the social hierarchy that does exist here. How do they do this you ask? In their birthday suits of course.

I went with my new friend Mika who is a manager at one of the offices I work at for NOVA. She's 24 I think and I would have been SOOO lost had it not been for her. It didn't help so much that this was the first thing I saw once I entered the building: Hahaha. I knew that many places don't allow people with tattoos but I thought I would take my chances. But, I managed by throwing my little wash cloth over my shoulder whenever I got out of one "bath" and went to the next, or when I was just walking around. Its funny... I was very nervous with clothes on, feeling judged, like everyone was staring at me.. but its amazing that once you are naked like everyone else you feel like no one can judge you anymore. I thought it would be the opposite feeling but it wasn't. And, I also thought it to be a bit ironic how I thought beforehand that I would feel more comfortable around strangers than friends or people I knew... strange huh?

So, you walk in. Take of your shoes, put them in a locker, buy your ticket and head upstairs. Then, you put the rest of your stuff in another locker, derobe and hit the showers. Its actually very luxurious. Showering is not done quickly and people take forever to make sure they are very very clean. After that you just get in the water and relax. The one we went to had a bath that just smelt good, one for moisture, one with some kind of herbs to cure illness, a really hot one with tea leaves and another one that I can't remember. We spent about 2 hours hopping around from one to the other, cooled off and then we headed down to the 3rd floor for some dinner. Again, the food is just awesome in Japan. The flavors are so rich and there is so much variety to choose from. We were then going to get a massage but thought we would save that for another day since we were already feeling so relaxed.

Well, this is the little corner market I talk about all the time. Its maybe two blocks from my apartment and they have great stuff at much cheaper prices than the regular SUUPAA. I head here at least once a week, but usually twice. Here's the inside: (or at least one wall..)

This is the cafe that is around the corner from my apartment as well, but in the neighborhood... not off the main road. I haven't actually managed to go in yet but I pass it everyday. It's very tiny and cute and ran out of this person's home so if there's one customer I tend to get a bit intimidated... but I plan on using it for informal Japanese lessons sometime soon. They just dont know it yet.

Next is the Tokyo River (I'm not sure if that's even the real name but thats what everyone calls it.) It runs through my city (Toda) and goes on forever. It's where the annual fireworks are held every year in August (which I heard are amazing via my roommate and last about 2 hours), as well as the big rowing competitions. Lining the banks of the river are the crew team houses which remind me a bit of fraternity rows in college except instead of fraternity letters on the outside its the college name. But, students of the teams live in them and they're always outside blasting their music and working out or something.

Next is the most tidy garden I've ever seen in my life. This picture makes my city look like the country, but dont believe it. Its in the neighborhood on my way from and to my apartment and the station. I just had to throw it in.

And, lastly... for now, is a sample picture of Omiya (the city where I teach). This is just a small little side street where they were having a used book sale. Too bad I can't read any of the books because they were going for like 25 cents a piece.

I'll get some work pictures in sometime soon, since I REALLY actually do go there almost everyday!