From the Midwest and Around the World

   After my two days in Tokyo, I decided to get out of the city and go to a hot spring resort in Hakone (which is a town famous for it's thermal springs). As I think I've mentioned before, the Japanese love their baths. This particular bath resort where I went is called Kowakien Yunessan. Part of it is a hot spring "water park" where it is a co-ed, swim suited area. The other part is a more traditional, separated by gender, naked area. I decided to go to the more touristy water park area first and then relax in the traditional bath at the end of the afternoon.    In the water park part, you could bath in wine, sake, coffee, and green tea. There was also a charcoal bath, and other outdoor mountain baths. Another part included a kid-friendly Roman style bath. I did not stay to long in this area because it was more touristy and there were too many people for my liking. However, it was fun seeing the holiday and resort-like setting.    After th...

   This post will mainly be for those who have never studied Japanese (language and/or culture). I apologize to those who have. However, the topic of Japanese bathing customs is always interesting when compared to the typical American bathing experience.    In America, most people choose between a shower and bath. A bath generally with a more leisurely connotation, but they both follow a similar pattern. Person gets into their preferred method, wet themselves down, soap up, and then rinse. However, the traditional Japanese bath is a little different.    I recently was able to experience a traditional Japanese bath in Osaka. This particular one was in a business hotel. First off, there was only one bathing room, so there were different times for men and women to bath. Upon entering the bathing area, there is a small changing room with lockers, hair brushes, and hair driers. Once you take off your clothes, you enter the actual bathing room. A line of stools...