Hot Springs Studies (4) - Gero Onsen

Gero Onsen is one of famous Hot Springs in Japan. This hot speings is Called TOP 3 hot springs in japan too. Others hot springs are Arima Onsen and Kusatsu Onsen. This hot springs is located in Gero city(Gifu Prefecture).

 Many people have loved this hot springs since 1200. And this hot springs has a bath in riverside. This riverside hotsprings, You can take a bath for free. But this bath doesnot separete from Men and Women. the photo in under is the bath.

http://image.search.yahoo.co.jp/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=top_lt1_sa&p=%E4%B8%8B%E5%91%82%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89#mode%3Ddetail%26index%3D13%26st%3D501

 

 

http://image.search.yahoo.co.jp/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=top_lt1_sa&p=%E4%B8%8B%E5%91%82%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89#mode%3Ddetail%26index%3D6%26st%3D338

When I was a fresh man in university, I visited this hot springs with my 4 friends. We also visited Gifu Castle (Gifu city), Shirakawa gou (Shirakawa Villege). And we held a drink party with some students in gifu university. Its a good travel and nice spring vacation.

Hot Springs Studies (3) - Shirahone Onesen

 Shirahone Onesen is one of famous hot springs in japan. The hot springs is located in Matsumoto city (Nagano Prefecture). It takes 2 hours from Tokyo to Nagano by bullet train.

 Shirahone means "White bone". The reason why this hot spring was named 'White blone' This hot water's color is milk white because hydrogen sufide changes to Calcium carbonate. Therefore, This hot springs is known as a cloudy hot springs.

 And this hot springs is published in many travel magazines. When you go to this hot spings, you can have a good time in rich forest, montains and high lands in Nagano prefecture.

 

http://image.search.yahoo.co.jp/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=top_ga1_sa&p=%E7%99%BD%E9%AA%A8%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89#mode%3Ddetail%26index%3D92%26st%3D3292

 

 

 But Unfortunatley, this hot springs had a problem in 2004. The problem was faked color of hot water in hot springs. that is to say the staff often put bubble bath in the bath. Because around 2004, the hot water didnot often become milk white.

 

 It was a big problem for staff in hot springs. because the milk white had contoributed to get many traveler. 

 

 When the facked was disclosed, many media took up this problem. I hope that they do not deceive again 

 

 

 

 



Hot Springs Studies (2) - Ibusuki Onsen

 Ibusuki Onesen is one of famous hot springs in Japan. The hot springs is locate in Kagoshima Prefecture. And Kagoshima prefecture is locate in South Kyushu area. My father grew up this prefecture too.

 You can go to Ibushuki city from Central kagoshima station about 1 hour. Before Ibushuki city was called 'Eastern hawaii' Threfore, the city is popular around Japanese tourist.

 This hot springs is very unique, because they do not have normal hot springs but also have a Sand bath. When Japanese people imagine this hot springs, almost all them will imagine the Sand bath. I have had a experience to take the sand bath with my mom and my relatives.

 

 

http://image.search.yahoo.co.jp/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=top_ga1_sa&p=%E6%8C%87%E5%AE%BF%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89#mode%3Ddetail%26index%3D1%26st%3D0

 And the sand is very hot because of terrestrial heat of Volcano. Therefore, you can steam egg or sweet potato in the sand, after steaming, you can eat them. maybe they are very delicious.

 

http://image.search.yahoo.co.jp/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=top_ga1_sa&p=%E6%8C%87%E5%AE%BF%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89#mode%3Ddetail%26index%3D2%26st%3D0

Hot Spring Studies (1) - Jingoku dani onsen

 In Japan, there are many hot springs. Almost all Japanese people like to go to hot springs. I think that hot springs is one of typical Japanese culture. Sure, I also like to go to hot spings. In Japanese, we call hot springs Onsen. Today, I would like to introduce one hot springs for reader.

 Unfortunaltey, I have never been to Nagano Prefecture and this hot springs> - < ;  Someday, I want to visit.

 Jigoku dani Onsen is one of famous hot springs in Japan. This hot springs is located in Nagano Prefecture. You can go to Nagano Prefecture by bullet train from Tokyo. By the way, Jigoku dani means "Valley of Hell".  The reason why the hot springs called "Jigoku dani" is that the hot springs is a geyser.

 This hot springs is also one of rare hot springs. Because, people do not only enjoy taking the hot springs but also monkey enjoy the hot springs in winter season. In this area, the degree became -10 in winter season. Therefore, some monkey take a hot springs to be hot for their body.

 Maybe, you have watched the scene when You watched Japanese anime. The scene is not untruth in this hot springs.

 And monkey park is located in near the hot springs too.

Reference: http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/english/html/top_e.htm
 
the reference is written in English^-^

Ninja animes and I

 Ninja is one of famous occupation in  Japan. And they are popular around foreign people. When I talked with foreign taveler in temple, he asked me 'are you ninja?'. Sure, I answered 'NO' because I am just normal student. but next, he also asked me 'Oh ok, are you samurai??' Then, I felt dizzy. So, I dont know that it was a joke or not.  But if I can interpret it with good intentions, Ninja is wonderful and very popular around other countries.

 In Japan, we have many ninja animes. For example, I think that NARUTO is the most famous ninja anime all over the world. Others animes, NINKU, ninja haxtutori kun, BASTARD are popular in Japan. But I dont know that these animes are popular in other countries as well as Japan.




NARUTO: One of famous ninja anime

http://image.search.yahoo.co.jp/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=top_ga1_sa&p=naruto#mode%3Ddetail%26index%3D8%26st%3D224





NINKU: 1990s, this anime was also popular in japan.

http://image.search.yahoo.co.jp/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=top_ga1_sa&p=naruto#mode%3Ddetail%26index%3D8%26st%3D224


 By the way, I wanted to become a ninja when i was a primary school student. and I practiced becoming a ninja after school and weekend too.For example, I have made some handmade throwing stars and throw them. Moreover, I tried my best of muscle building to become a ninja.  It is ashamed of my memory.

NARUTO and NINJA

 When I talk with my foreigner friends, we sometimes talk about Japanese anime. And I always ask them which anime is famous in your country. They often answer One piece, dragon ball, draemon and NARUTO.

 I sometimes think why NARUTO is famous and popular??  I think one of the reason why is NARUTO is a story of Ninja. Ninja is a typical Japanese classic culture as well as Samurai and Geisya. Ninja is mysterious very much. It makes people feel exciting and cool.

 But some foreigner make a misunderstanding about Ninja. My italian friends said to me, 'Hey, ryo. How do you think that Ninja can use magic??' then, I answered, 'hey, they cannnot use magic, they are just a human and not magician' When he knew the truth, he looked like disappointed.

 So, maybe many foreigner think ninja is like a naruto. Of course, they have knowlege of chemical, Phamacy, astonomy and trick. But unfortunately, they cannot radiate flame or walk on water surface.

 By the way, the italian friend also said, 'In italy, some people believe many japanese people's ancestors are ninja, and there are some ninja in Japan today.' I dont know whether they really think so or not.

so, are my ancestors Ninja? the answer is NO in my case. and I dont have any friends of Ninja.

OTAKU TOWN: AKIHABARA

 AKIHABARA is known as a OTAKU TOWN in Japan. the town is located in Chiyoda-ku (Tokyo). There are many anime, game, electrical shop and maid cafe in AKIHABARA. Therefore, many otaku gather in this town.  AKIHABARA is also called AKIBA. I think that AKIBA is the most famous OTAKU TOWN in JAPAN.

 many tourists visit in AKIBA. Of course, foreigner otaku often visit akiba and buy some anime goods. One of famous Japanese teen pop star girls groop: AKB48, their name originates from AKihaBa.

 They also have an exclusive theater in akiba. so, they stage their songs everyday in the theater. They call theirself as a Idol that you can meet everyday.

 Akiba is in akihabara station. so its very near tokyo's central area. It is easy for you to access in akiba.

If you are otaku, you should visit this town.