Japan is famous for it’s ryokan’s (traditional Japanese inn and hot springs). A large part of that is the omotenashi, or the hospitality, that you receive. We go to Northern Ibaraki to visit Toshimaya Tsukihama No Yu, a family-owned ryokan that’s been in operation for 113 years and is being passed on to the sixth generation.
Posts Tagged‘onsen’
LWIF EP88: Why Japanese Love Bathing
Ever wondered why Japanese cultures has such an affinity for bathing? Take a trip with me in this brief history of bathing in Japan.
LWIF EP66: Visiting a Famous Japanese Hot Spring Town: Kusatsu
I love Japanese onsens (hot springs), and my family… well, they like them. I had heard about Kusatsu and asked my wife to see if she could book a trip out there for us. She delivered and we rented a car and drove a few hours, stopping a few places along the way, before we reached our ryokan. Not knowing that much about Kusatsu, I think the family was all pleasantly elated to find a hot spring town that was beyond our expectations. There are some places that the kids visit where they whine about walking here and there, but…
LWIF X EP14: 12 Little Things I Like About Living in Japan
Previously I made a video regarding my 10 pet peeves about living in Japan. While t they were very minor complaints I had when I first moved, I just wanted to point out that these were small things that really don’t bug me and would never stop me from living here.
LWIF EP45: Tokyo’s Volcano Island: Oshima
Did you know that Tokyo has a volcano island where you can visit an active volcano in the morning and go snorkeling in the afternoon? The place is called Oshima Island. Thanks to Tokyo Islands for sponsoring our trip. You can book a ferry to Oshima – or any of Tokyo’s islands – at www.tokyoislands.jp. I was quite surprised when I first found out that Tokyo has a chain of subtropical islands to the south. Last year, we went to Shikinejima and Niijima. Niijima had a gorgeous white sand beach, while Shikinejima was a tiny island with fantastic little inlets…
LWIF X EP5: Nudity in Japan
When I first visited Japan, I was eager to try out the famous onsens (hot springs), but very nervous about bathing naked in a room full of guys. While some aspects of Japanese culture is very open to nudity (like public bath houses and men’s toilets), it’s also one that is fairly conservative (in comparison to North America, women are modestly dressed). Jess from Jessica and Hai joins me to discuss nudity in Japan.
LWIF EP25: Trip to a Hot Spring Theme Park – Oedo Onsen in Odaiba Japan
Most people know that a popular way to relax in Japan is to go to the onsen (hot spring). And in the summertime, a great way to have fun is to attend festivals. Well, Oedo onsen in Odaiba combines these two things in an onsen theme park.