Japan day 4 - Our trip to Arima Hot Springs!

Sunday morning started early with what became my usual wake-up call of 5:30am, and when Yasu woke up soon after, we decided to venture out of our hotel room to find coffee. Though coffee is definitely a common beverage, our hotel room only supplied a hot water maker and green tea. So, we bundled up and began our search, to end up at the only place open—McDonalds. I especially loved seeing Kichijoji so peaceful early in the morning. After grabbing coffee, we headed back to the hotel to pack for the next few days in Arima and Kyoto. We left the majority of our things in Tokyo and brought only what we needed for the next few days.

With a few hours to spare before catching our train, we decided to grab a coffee and take a walk around Inokashira. We grabbed some lattes from Starbucks and began our stroll around the park, which is so beautiful. The whole time we’ve been here, people have been saying “ah, you came just a few weeks early for the cherry blossoms,” and this was the first time I thought about just how pretty the park must be with the pink flowers blooming everywhere. While we enjoyed our coffees, we stopped by the shrine where I got my first look at Japanese religiosity—and at this particular shrine, most participants were older women. We also noticed the huge amount of runners, including a pretty large run club who all wore matching running shoes. It seems that the running trend is stretching well beyond the US!

Finally, at 10:30, we caught a train from Kichijoji to Tokyo Station where we were to pick out some bento boxes prior to meeting Yasu’s parents! Something interesting about Japanese food service and restaurants is the visuals that are paired with food. So, as we walked by the bento box stands, there were samples of each of the types of boxes created out of plastic and wax for us to see prior to purchasing. Honestly, it’s scary and helpful at the same time—for me, I definitely like to know what I’m buying, but at the same time, seeing a plastic version of the food I’m about to eat doesn’t exactly speak to the freshness! No less, we made [good] choices, and made our way up to the platform for our shinkansen, where we met Yasu’s parents.

If you’re unaware, the Japanese rail system is incredibly impressive. I feel like I’ve heard that it was good, but until getting here and seeing it first hand, it make’s Denver’s light rail system seem like a serious joke. Basically every part of the country is accessible by train, and the trains are good and come often. For longer distances, and if you have the means, the shinkansen, or bullet train, is an incredible option. The train goes FAST, and our 315 mi. trip from Tokyo to Osaka, where we made our connection, was about 2.5 hours. After boarding the shinkansen, Yasu and I ate our bento boxes, in true Japanese train passenger style, and settled in for the trip. Unfortunately, the movement of the train made me a little nauseated, so I slept through a good part of the journey. No less, I got to enjoy some of the sights of the countryside and the pure speed and smoothness of the train. It really was impressive.

Our shinkansen

bento box deliciousness--Yasu's on the left, with teriyaki chicken, and mine on the right with dumplings and fried rice!

Upon arriving in Osaka, we caught a bus to Arima, where we would be meeting Yasu’s maternal grandparents. Arima is home of some of the finest natural hot springs in Japan, making it a haven for tourists. We stayed at a beautiful hotel, called the Arima Grand Lodge, where we dined and relaxed with Yasu’s family. After arriving, the three couples parted ways, and Yasu and I went to our room to relax for a while. A braver soul than I, Yasu went straight to the hot springs, while I spent some time writing in our room. At 6:30, our group reassembled for dinner. As is traditional for a spa like this one, we spent the evening wearing yakatas and hantens provided to us by the hotel. While it felt a little silly to be having a huge fancy dinner with my future in laws wearing matching pajamas, it was also so fun to be wearing something so traditional. As Yasu said to me—I think you’re getting to do more Japanese stuff than anyone else I know.

Our outfits were pretty sweet.

Dinner with Yasu’s parents and his grandparents was a delight. I will admit, though, that by the end of the evening, I was getting a little frustrated and impatient by my inability to communicate with his parents and grandparents directly. Though I could see the joy on everyone’s faces, and despite my appreciation of them asking me questions through Yasu, I was ready for rest and to be able to communicate with Yasu in English alone. I don’t think I could have prepared myself for the frustration of or the patience warranted by the language barrier. After a huge 7-course Chinese dinner, the parents and grandparents retreated for bed while Yasu and I enjoyed a drink at the lounge bar.

The next morning, after our usual early wake up, we decided to brave the hot springs. Before heading to the top story of the hotel, where the public baths are housed, I asked Yasu to walk me through what to do step by step. Not only do my lack of Japanese verbal skills hinder me, but also I can’t exactly read the signs giving instructions of what to do. So, up we went, where I followed his instructions step by step.

1.     Take off shoes and put them in the cubbies by the door.

2.     Enter the women’s locker room, remove all clothing, place it in a locker, and take the key. (yes, all clothing means ALL clothing. Yes, I was the only white girl in the place, and yes, I was one of the youngest ones in the facility. Awkwardness ensued.)

3.     Take your washcloth towel and key, and proceed to the showers to clean yourself. These showers are basically handheld shower faucets and tiny stalls with a chair, where you are to sit and clean yourself. There is shampoo and shower gel if you’re daring, but I decided to minimize the public nudity time, and rinse my whole body briefly before going to the bathing pools.

4.     Bathe. Amazingly, despite all of the awkwardness and nudity, the bathing experience was incredibly peaceful. First off, I was totally alone, and Yasu’s mom and grandma were thankfully nowhere in sight, so I didn’t have to worry about being seen by anyone I would ever see again ever. Also, the bath is a lot like an indoor infinity pool with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the mountainside. I was also able to take a glimpse of the sunrise on this particular occasion, which was gorgeous.

Because of the heat, I didn’t last long, but for the hot springs visit being the thing I was dreading most, it was incredibly enjoyable and definitely something I’d consider doing again. Thankfully, and unfortunately, no cameras are allowed near the bathhouse, so if you ever have the opportunity to visit—take it!

After breakfast with all the ‘rents, we parted ways and Yasu and I headed off to Kyoto for a couple days of fun. Our visit in Arima was a delight, and I’m grateful to have been able to meet his grandparents. They’re both so tiny and cute, and it’s fun to see people in their late 80s who genuinely enjoy each other’s company and still have so much joy in their lives. Spending time with them was definitely inspiration for Yasu and me.

Aren't they adorable???