Diversion

zachary_chen_1125

新年必來的野溪溫泉行❤️

#芃芃溫泉

Hot spring info from the region.

So very little. Or maybe everything is becoming so non-informative.
Anyway we start from Taiwan, not even in the region.

TaipeiTimes (Oct. 21) on another natural soak set to disappear. Also the lead photo.

'The Fanfan wild hot spring (梵梵溫泉) in Yilan County is to be diverted to formal tourist facilities and closed to the public if approved by the local council, as overtourism is harming the area’s ecology and disturbing residents.

...

The Fanfan hot spring has become popular in recent years, with many visitors driving their vehicles directly onto the riverbank, barbecuing and leaving trash behind.

The situation has raised the ire of local residents, who have closed off the access road to try and stop people from coming to no avail'.

Hotspringjourneys (Feb. 4) lists 12 "best" Indonesian finds. Oddly no. 1 isn't even a hot spring, then there's also a duplication.

A report from the Philippines News Agency (Jan. 10), where apparently new hot springs are occuring:

"Reports of hot springs in Barangays Sinisian and Calawang in Lemery date back even before (the) 2020 eruption. The(re) are videos on YouTube as early as 2014," Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview.

A video posted recently by Facebook user Imman Supremo showed an apparent hot spring at Sinisian East Beach.

The video had 105,000 views as of writing'.

Plugging

A wider look at soaks and soaking.

From New Zealand (even outside the wider region) intriguing news concerning the fate of Waiwera hot spring (NZHerald, Mar. 9). The main points of the article:

• 'After decades of decline, Waiwera’s famed coastal artesian hot springs are showing signs of recovery.
• That recovery has come after the 2018 closure of the iconic Waiwera Thermal Resort, which was demolished altogether in 2023.
• Scientists say it’s possible the springs could again become a tourist draw if the remaining leaking boreholes are plugged'.

Further more, the prospect / potential nightmare:

'If the springs were to return through sustainable management of the system, Viskovic [ study lead author] said they could again become a major tourist attraction.

He noted the 700,000 visitors who flock to Coromandel’s Hot Water Beach each year.

“The community in Waiwera is not set up for those numbers of visitors, but these kinds of natural springs are hugely popular with international visitors, so [it] could have a positive economic effect on the economy of the local area,” Viskovic said'.

Further Magazine has a shout out (Dec. 24, 2024) to Greta Rybus's world tour of hot springs, in book form:

'Hot springs aren’t just great for unwinding. As Rybus demonstrates in the essays accompanying her photographs, their depths contain stories — and diverse ideas about wellness, environmentalism, and social life. For the book, she visited 23 hot springs on five continents over several years, a journey that sent her from the wind-whipped salt flats of Bolivia to the desert sands of South Africa and the fjords of Greenland. We talked to the Maine-based photojournalist about what she found'.

Snippets from the ensuing Q and A:

'You’re an American who spent part of her childhood in Japan. How did that affect your perspective?

I grew up going to hot springs as a kid in Idaho, where we did things like climbing and skiing, and where enjoying nature was almost this competitive or work relationship. But then my parents, who were schoolteachers, moved us to Japan to teach on a military base and I noticed this difference in the hot springs there.

How so?

I saw more families going. I have a very distinct memory of going to this onsen that was really popular with old ladies and having an elder tell me to clean more thoroughly. I wasn’t being admonished; I was being invited in. They’re using buckets of water, washing their hair, scrubbing under their nails, brushing their teeth. For most Americans, this whole process is not something we’re used to'.

So Japan then. Japan Times reports (Dec. 23) on how the town of Ginzan onsen is trying to limit the number of visitors:

'Many [visitors] share photos online of its old-fashioned buildings blanketed in snow and illuminated by lamplight that create a nostalgic atmosphere.

However, authorities in Ginzan Onsen, as in more famous destinations such as Kyoto and Mount Fuji, have become fed up with a rise in road problems, quarrels and other nuisances.

From Monday, only people staying at local hotels will be allowed to enter the town after 8 p.m., while those wishing to visit between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. will need a reservation'.

Knobbly

Over to soaking culture, we would like to share from the region, though it's mostly from Japan.

The Times (Feb. 28) for instance, comes with another one of those "how taking an onsen changed me; to the positive":

'Because, as I bore it all that day, unshaved legs and knobbly knees included, I joined a crowd of women who were comfortable with how they were. And it made me realise that my body hang-ups were the most insignificant thing in the world. Here were all kinds of bodies. Young. Old. Wrinkled. Smooth. Decrepit. Sexy. And no one cared. I had been so desperately worried about taking my kit off and — now that I had — I was just another bare arse in the crowd.

It was something quite beautiful to behold. A sea of security. A celebration of the female form and an acceptance that just to be, as you were, was good enough''.

But even this is slowly evolving. 

Hotspringaddict suggested (Jan. 28) bathing habits are changing in Japan, notably that's how he experiences it:

'Around three decades ago, my Japanese wife brought me to Suzume-no-yu, a traditional hot spring within the boundaries of Kyushu's Aso-Kujo National Park. It was my first time bathing naked or almost naked with men and women that I had never met before. But soaking unclothed in the hot mineral water of this konyoku, which means a mixed-sex bathing area, felt natural and relaxing.

...

So I was shocked when I recently returned and discovered all the bathers wearing swimming suits. Japan has changed considerably in the last thirty years.

...

The fear of being photographed while innocently bathing and having one's body exposed on the internet shows the pernicious influence of smartphones and SNS on bathing culture.

I predict the number of public baths where naked men and women can bathe together in a relaxed environment will continue to decrease'.

Chic

Then an article on the above (communal bathing dare we say?) from Sydney Morning Herald (Feb. 1) which likens this as the new fade in Australia (thus the neccesity to report on):

'But as they [the rest of the " older"? world] have done for millennia, public baths are evolving and driven by our ever-expanding interest in wellness. Now a new generation of bathhouses is rising in urban destinations, including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

...

Chic design and easy accessibility for those living in and visiting cities are the hallmarks of these places. So too, bathing suits – unlike many of the traditional experiences where nudity is requisite. Dean says what also sets the new-style bathhouse apart from the traditional is connection.

“While traditional bathhouses focus on silence and introspection, we believe wellness is about conscious connection as much as self-care. Soak is a space where you can spend quality time and enjoy genuine in-person connection with friends, family, or even just yourself. We’ve also brought the healing powers of the natural world into the urban location, creating a serene environment where guests can reconnect with both themselves and the natural world around them.”

So just a notch above the swimming locale?

From Sense of Self (Jan. 22), a blog about well-being burnt-out:

'While the idea of ‘wellbeing’ is supposed to help us move away from destructive behaviours and move toward a healthier, happier version of ourselves – the commercialisation of what makes us well could be doing the opposite.

...

Recent reports show that the relentless pursuit for wellbeing is actually keeping us from being well. Misinformation on social media platforms is adding to societal pressure to ‘appear well’. This is obviously counter-intuitive to avoiding further stress, anxiety and burnout. To quieten the noise of wellbeing messaging, we now need to make a conscious choice to resist the clutter. To allow oneself to rest has become a radical act of self compassion.

One of the possible solutions:Instead of accumulating more things, invest in a visit to the bathhouse, taking yourself to a film or simply a day off to do nothing at all'.

Finally the sauna movement of Japan as reported by Japan Times (Nov. 25) is gaining ever more popularity in the country:

'According to a 2024 survey by the Japan Sauna Institute, the number of sauna enthusiasts — or “saunners” (pronounced saunā), as they’re called in Japan — has grown by an additional 1 million in the past year alone.

...

If you’re a budding saunner looking for a place to start your journey, why not start at the top? Mimicking the authority of Michelin’s gourmet rankings, sauna consulting collective TTNE confers its own prestigious Saunachelin Awards upon a handful of locations each year.

This year’s No. 1 spot went to Totopa, a gorgeous location in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward with several saunas, breathing rooms and other amenities. An hour there will only set you back just over ¥2,000 with tax. Coming in at second and third place were Tokyo Sauna and Treatment Sauna SteaMs, both in Minato Ward.

Concerning the popularity among younger generations:

'With pandemic restrictions over, saunas not only provide young people with a place to meet but a reprieve from electronic devices. As an escape from the relentless barrage of notifications, social media and surveillance, saunas have become spaces where patrons can savor meaningful bonds or find contemplative solitude.

An architect of sauna and sentō (public baths), Kentaro Imai notes that financial challenges also play a part in their popularity.

“One factor is that young people today don’t earn much,” he says. “In that context, I think many young people prefer to spend time with just a small group of close friends or like-minded individuals. For just a few thousand yen, it’s the perfect leisure activity.”

At the same time, amid broader trends of self-improvement, fitness and beauty in Japan, saunas also offer the tangible benefits of radiant skin and relief for tired muscles, making them an appealing choice for young people seeking both wellness and connection'.

anna_kozics

The forest birthed her soul in me, and I belonged to every tree. 🍃

Cracked

womanbewild

There are natural hot springs in Bali that overlook layers and layers of rice patties. The kind of place fairytales are made of.

While I was sitting in the springs, thunder cracked and rain poured like I’d never seen it pour. It was so spectacular I laughed. It was so beautiful I cried.

In that moment I knew, that’s what we’re here to feel. We’re here to feel things to their extreme.

Another well overdue post on some topical issues on soaking and bathing in Southeast Asia and the wider world.

Staying local first.

The Smart Local reports (Oct. 16) on hot spring resorts near Singapore that almost feel like Japan. Nearby is defined as less than 4 hours flying! Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Klook presents (Feb. 15) 14 mostly natural Taiwanese hot springs.
Mytour clocks up (Feb. 15) 12 Vietnamese hot springs, all very much resort like.

A larger newsitem from Khaosod (Jan. 22) on Thailand:

'The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has set the goal of urgently upgrading the hot springs in Thailand to “spa towns” like in Europe or “onsen towns” like in Japan in order to create a hot spring economy.

...

To this end, the hot springs in nearby provinces will be developed into a system of 7 hot spring or wellness routes and linked together to create a global marketing brand and expand tourism to secondary cities'.

a_yokohira

#worldbathingday

らしいので私も古い写真から

秘蔵フォトを📸😂

マロボ温泉♨️2011夏

東ティモール🇹🇱を各所、温泉冒険した時のこと。ここはポルトガル統治時代に造られたと言われてるところ🇵🇹

遺跡のような建造物、お湯は滝のように流れてて水路をつたい巨大プールに注がれてる。なんて強力な源泉掛け流し！🥺これがまた最高な泥湯で泥パックし放題。付近の川もそこら辺が温泉♨️温泉天国すぎてそれはもうびっくりだった。

当時はオーストラリア軍が治安維持に入ってた頃だったんだけど、地図も詳細なものがまともに存在しておらず驚愕。どこに連れて行かれるか毎度謎のまま、道は現地のアテンド任せでなすままに。今Googleマップ見ても道ないね…笑　航空写真からは確認できた。当時は廃墟みたいでそこにこんこんと沸き続ける湯、という風情もなかなかに琴線に触れるものがあった。今は建造物も色々つくられてきてる模様。予定通り観光地化を進めてるのかな。

それにしてもうっかり干支一回りしてしてた！なんてこと！

ここ何年か温泉疎かにしてたけど、年齢的にめちゃ必要になってきてしまったことに最近しみじみ気づき、改めてちゃんとした湯をまた選んで入りたいなと思ったのでした♨️

#marobo #marobohotsprings #timorleste #東ティモール

#onsen #温泉 #世界の温泉

#hotsprings #hotspring

忘れてたけど#温泉ソムリエ #温泉入浴指導員 #温泉観光実践士

今は放置だけど#旅程管理主任者 #添乗員 #ツアーコンダクター だしわりと特殊な#プロ添 #ツアコン

#なおこの時より5キロ増 涙

Filipino Business Inquirer (Jan. 8) shares this:

'The Consunji family conglomerate DMCI Holdings is developing a 40-hectare (ha) leisure estate in the Philippine hot spring capital of Laguna province, which will include a Japanese-style onsen and villas, as part of efforts to diversify its property holdings'.

Then loads of blah, blah, blah.

The Diplomat looks at Indonesia's geothermal development (Nov. 21):

'Indonesia’s investment plan for the $20 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) calls for rapid growth in renewable energy of all kinds. This includes variable renewables such as solar and wind, and also what are called dispatchable renewables like geothermal and hydropower.Solar and wind are intermittent sources of power generation, because they depend on whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. Geothermal and hydro can supply the grid with steadier and more predictable forms of electricity generation.

According to the JETP scenario, by 2030 solar and wind together will be generating 14 percent of Indonesia’s electricity. In the same year, geothermal and hydro will produce 22 percent'.

South China Morning Post (Jan. 21) focuses on Taiwan's few naturists. One way to escape textile culture:

'Hot-spring culture is popular all over Taiwan, but is usually gender-segregated. It may be traditional to go nude, but hot-spring locations will either separate men and women or require bathing suits in public spas.

However, that doesn’t stop some from renting out a hot spring for a private party and using it however they like'.

duolong_ at Espa Yeh Panes Penatahan

Aeon has a large feature (Feb. 2) on how bathing water should be a cities future:

'In my daily life in New York, as a working parent with two young kids, I find solace in water. And not just baths and beaches, but the many watery environments that urban planners and designers call ‘blue spaces’: rivers, pools, coastlines, ports and other waterways and watercourses. More than anything else, water calms me and brings me to the present. I love the way it sounds, the way it looks, and the way it smells. But, most importantly, I love the way it feels. And I’m not alone.

...

Appearing in many culturally distinct shapes and sizes, communal city baths – including ancient Roman thermae, Turkish hammams and Japanese onsen – have long fostered a deep, healing sense of togetherness, abundance, relaxation and grounding. Many of these public spaces were successful because they were inexpensive (or free) and widely accessible. However, in New York and other unequal 21st-century cities, as more luxury baths and spas are built, public blue spaces are in decline. Pools are built over and poorly maintained; waterways are polluted and neglected; and ocean beaches are rendered inaccessible to those who most need their curative qualities.

...

As investment in public blue spaces has declined, there has been a concurrent boom in private ‘luxury’ spa facilities – a reflection of the growing influence of the ‘wellness’ industry on urban development. I must confess, a trip to one of these baths or spas is one of my favourite winter activities in the city, which I spread out because each visit is not cheap, ranging from around $50 to more than $100. These visits have become therapeutic rare treats, but also an indirect opportunity to create cultural connections with other bathers. After each visit, I leave feeling relaxed and closer to my local community. I also leave feeling irked that these experiences remain expensive due to a lack of investment in public goods. New York seems to have forgotten its past, its long history of communal bathing.

...

Models for collective bathing do in fact exist, they’re just not easily accessible in New York. In Europe and the UK, there are trends toward public cold water plunges and reclaiming parts of urban waterways for mental health swims. But such initiatives tend to emerge in national systems that use public funds to prioritise collective wellbeing.

...

We are living in times of crisis that require a global reconceptualisation of public health and urban planning. And some of our best solutions to the biggest health challenges may be the simplest ones. Water could do so much more for us. It is time to insist on our collective right to bathe'.

Japan Times reports (Nov. 6) on special made bathing costumes for breast cancer survivors:

“There are people who hesitate to go to public baths because they don’t want others to see their body, also for reasons other than surgical scars,” Masuda [user] said. “I hope it will become something that anyone can feel free to use, just like shower caps.”

The special bathing wear was created in 1998.

It is customary in Japan not to take clothing or towels into the water at public baths, and some facilities make it a rule for hygienic reasons.

The health ministry says there are no hygiene issues as long as soap is washed off before a wearer gets into a bathtub. Still, there have been cases in which the wearers were denied entry into bathing facilities or faced complaints from other customers'.

It all seems to fit better with official policy to promote the use of bathwear. Unclear what usuers think about this effort.

makishimaaa

Hot spring ❤️อยากไปแช่ออนเซนจัง 寒い！温泉行きたい♨️

#温泉 #温泉旅行 #温泉大好き #露天風呂 #露天風呂付き客室 #露天風呂大好き #天然温泉

#hotsprings #sunset

#ออนเซ็น #ญี่ปุ่น

#japan #japantravel #atami

#熱海

#🇹🇭 #🇯🇵

The Guardian on a local Australian issue (Dec. 23):

'Hiromi Masuoka, 78, recalls when she opened Australia’s first traditional Japanese bathhouse down a narrow Collingwood backstreet in 1998, her friends tried to talk her out of it. “I remember all my friends at the time telling me that it couldn’t work here – that Australians would not cope well with the nudity aspect,” she says.

“But for me that was just completely natural and the only way to keep it really true to the Japanese bathing tradition of purity and cleanliness.”

After 25 years of running Ofuroya with her daughter Mocca, the much-loved inner-Melbourne sanctuary is closing this week, citing the effect of Covid lockdowns, onerous council access regulations on the three-storey property and the cost of needed renovations'.

A slightly older article from Sydney Morning Herald (Jun. 2 2023) on forest bathing:

'It has been called “the new yoga” and it’s certainly a hot travel trend. The practice sounds ancient, but it’s a modern concept. The name shinrin-yoku was only recognised in 1982, when the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries coined the term for “absorbing the forest atmosphere”.

A recent publishing by Greta Rybus concerns our globe's hot springs.

A visual adventure of the unique topographies, regional uses, and cultural meanings of thermal baths.

Seek

agungyudika

Stay wild and free

Model by @rachel_loudy

•

Fyi tempat ini cocok banget buat list tempat liburan kalian saat tahun baru, tempatnya buat memanjakan badan dan pikiran karena disini kalian bisa berendam dengan air panas, kalau ada yang tahu tempatnya komen ya dibawah guys

What's there to share? Not much concerning the odd photographic evidence.
But some content.

Secret Retreats (Sep. 28) has a feature on Asian hot springs.
On Rinjani (Lombok, Indonesia):

'Take a trek to the emerald jungles of Mount Rinjani National Park to see Lombok’s wealth of waterfalls and then relax those tired muscles post trek with a soak in the island’s most famous hot spring, ‘Aik Kalak Pengkereman Jembangan’. Aik Kalak translates as boiling water and as the name suggests, it is a place where one can enjoy bathing in the warm, healing waters surrounded by nature. Aside from bathing, local people have long come to the site to perform rituals and seek blessings. Long considered a magical place, locals still today bring ritual items such as Keris (a dagger typically used in religious rituals) to the spring to wash and bless them and ensure their supernatural powers are intact. Legends have it that Sasak warriors, the Sasak are an ethnic group that calls Lombok home, would visit the spring to bathe after battles and the magical waters would heal battle wounds.

Aik Kalak Pengkereman Jembangan is located at about 2,000m elevation on the side of Mount Rinjani and in the late afternoon and evening the cooling air makes for a wonderful contrast to the steaming waters of the spring. The refreshing atmosphere of the stunning natural scenery on Mount Rinjani and the warm, healing waters of the hot spring are guaranteed to soothe and revive all who visit.

They also mention Pai (below), Sankamphaeng (both Thailand), Poring (Sabah, Malaysia) and Muang La (Laos). As witnessed from the above, their script writer is very much in form.

finebites.co

Thailand, February 2019.🍃🌞

Sometimes I feel like I forget to breathe. Not metaphorically speaking, but quite literally holding onto a breath I must remind myself to release.

Like there are so many tabs open in my brain I’m not present in the moment. I’ve never been an anxious person. But the last few years have been weird as hell and have brought on more anxiety and stress than ever before.

I’ve found comfort in my friends and family, holding them close, practicing yoga and meditation, being in nature, immersing myself in things that bring me joy and calmness. Finding beauty in the small things and focusing on how I can create a life of love, happiness and allow it to overflow to the collective. We all need more kindness in community as well as solitude; doing the inner work. I hope today brings you simply peace. 🙏🏼🦋💛

More Thai, more Pai.

Thailand Nomads has a 2022 review of Pai (Chiang Mai) most popular hot springs:

'Hot Springs are a treat to the eyes and souls of people who genuinely admire the beauty of nature.

The city of Pai has some really beautiful Hot Springs that you must check out on your visit here.

We have picked up the best ones for you in this blog'.

They note 4 local hot springs to enjoy.

Halved

Central Thailand. xyzasia (Sep. 14) looks at what's on offer around Khanchanaburi:

'The hot springs were the specific reason that I travelled to Kanchanaburi province. I’d been suffering some groin pain for nearly two months after a bad bout of Covid and couldn’t find any way to get rid of it. But when I spent a couple of days at a saline hot spring in Krabi in southern Thailand, I discovered that the pain had more than half disappeared.

...

Wat Wang Khanay Hot Spring

This very traditional public sulphur hot spring is located in a temple complex on the south-eastern side of Kanchanaburi city. It’s very conveniently located to the city – only about 15 km away – but it is unlikely to appeal to most international visitors. You’ll be invited to step into a large stainless-steel drum that looks like an industrial cooking vat after the attendant has filled it with hot water from the underground spring. There are several rows of the vats along one side of the temple courtyard'.

Continuing with Rock Valley hot springs:

'I had quite a long soak in the coffee pool, but it wasn’t my favourite. The next one was – the eucalyptus pool at No 13. This also claimed to help with blood circulation and skin detoxification, but I so loved the aroma. I could have soaked in this one all day. The temperature was probably only around 38-39°C so you can certainly spend longer in it if there are not too many other people at the hot spring.

That was the last pool that I spent much time in because No 14 was only straight mineral water at 38°C. It wasn’t labelled but I assume it was a ‘cooling down’ pool before the last pool which was labelled ‘normal temperature’. That is the largest of all the pools at the hot spring, but I didn’t get to try it because it was being cleaned on the day I was there'.

On to the south of Thailand.

elena_phuket

Travel to Phang-nga 4 years ago 🥰

#travelthailand #phannga #thailand #hotsprings

The Nation (Jul. 13) has yet another story on the dual pricing structure of virtually everything in Thailand, but now with special reference to hot springs:

'A TikTok video posted by a Japanese tourist complaining about “inequality” at a Krabi hot spring after having to pay an entrance fee 10 times the amount locals are charged went viral overnight, with many netizens having their say on Tuesday. The man posted the video after he visited Klong Thom hot spring, where he was charged a 200-baht entry fee as opposed to 20 baht for Thai visitors.

“A Japanese [tourist] feels the inequality in Thailand. I had to pay 200 baht while Thais pay only 20 baht,” he complained'.

Earlier the same source (Mar. 3) reported on what seems like research on aforementioned Klong Thom:

“The number of hot springs known for their healing benefits has changed from time to time, but not all hot springs possess the properties to help alleviate physical and mental ailments. Thailand is blessed to have a remarkable and curative hot spring located in Klongtom district of Krabi province. Aside from its properties to treat poor mental health and unfavourable physical conditions, the hot spring is also unique for its naturally sparkling saline water.

The Klongtom Salt Hot Spring is considered one of the world’s five best hot springs with mineral saltwater following those previously found in Taiwan, Japan, Italy, and Malaysia.”

The above explanation was given by Dr Jiroch Sinthawanon, a former senior expert of the Office of Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Public Health, when conducting a research study on hot springs in Thailand.

The publication, named “Safe and Healthy Hot Spring Bath”, was aimed at disseminating knowledge on the use of hot springs to create a good image where people can fully trust their benefits and safety, and maximise the standard of health tourism.

Jiroch added that “the temperature and minerals found in the Klongtom Salt Hot Spring are truly outstanding. The seawater seeps into the basement of the hot spring through rock layers to be filtered twice. As a result, the water retains only a light taste of salt unlike the strong salty taste of seawater as well as the smell of sulphur.”

The article also leads to significant info on a real estate project hopefully profiting from positive imagery, probably the reason for the article (and research; the author mentioned above is hardly mentioned on google):

'Wichai [Wichai Poolworaluk, president of Woraluk Property Plc, a leading real estate company in Thailand and a major developer of the Klongtom community in Krabi] said, “As a real-estate leader, we want to be the one to transform people’s concerns into happiness backed by our standardised and trusted management. This had initially inspired us to work on the development of the Klongtom Heritage project. Situated on a vast area of over 200 rai (32 hectares), ...'.

Luckily the locals are set to profit big:

'The local residents will be offered greater job opportunities and a chance to earn a higher income, while the ecosystem and environment will play a vital role in making the community grow in a sustainable way. This will help people to improve and reinvent themselves, getting ready to upgrade their life to national levels, he said'.

Luckily they'll not to be patronized. Oddly the Bangkok Post (Mar. 2) runs exact the same article.

Continuing southwards. The Star (Oct. 13) has 7 Malaysian hot springs to share:

'Most of the hot springs are small, but there are a handful that have been turned into proper resorts and parks'.

j2_travels

Just 45 mins from Kuching's city center

Lies an all natural hotspring

Which is reputed to cure diabetes, hypertension etc

Damn....doctors are gonna be out of jobs

I do so miss the good old days

When the responsibility and stress of work was manageable....

Maybe all I need is another long relaxing hot bath surrounded by lush greenery

#malaysiatrulyasia #malaysiatourism #nature #naturephotography #siasitoksarawak #raonraonsarawak #sarawaktravel #sarawaktourism #sarawakmoretodiscover #amazingborneo #borneo

Want

Free Malaysia Today notes (Dec. 21, 2021) that the onsen trend has reached Malaysia:

'Complete with warm lighting, a single-sized tub filled with hot water and imported salts, a shower area, and Urban Retreat’s very own line of toiletries at your disposal, you will want for nothing but some peace and quiet once the 45-minute session begins'.

It's a trend getting more and more traction in the area. Is it the culture (here fakely presented)? Is the not need to head to Japan for the experience? Do onsens balance out the hectic city life? I have no idea.

But here are some more snippets concerning onsen experience in the region.

Thaiger (Apr. 18) looks at the Japanese style onsen baths on offer in Bangkok:

'What if we tell you that you can have an authentic onsen experience right in the bustling city of Bangkok?

On Yunomori:

'The Onsen mineral water bath uses water from Kanchanaburi’s Wat Wangkanai [sounds familiar?], so enjoy the holistic benefits in the heart of Bangkok'.

VNexpress (Aug. 27) shares an overview of Japanese style hot spring resorts in the Danang region. It's not always clear how the waters are sourced. For instance:

'The resort has a heated swimming pool on the top floor of the 22-story building that allows visitors to admire the entire Da Nang Bay.

With a variety of minerals imported from Japan, guests can experience mineral bath services at shared baths or separate areas for men and women'.

racvcapeschanckresort

Time to relax at Alba Hot Springs. Just a 15 minute drive from the resort!

📸 @albathermalsprings

More Vietnam.
Wellness Vietnam has an article (Feb. 15) named Best hot springs experience in Vietnam.

'There are more than 200 hot springs throughout Vietnam though only a handful have been developed and are safely accessible for public bathing. Our guide to the ‘Best Hot Springs Experience in Vietnam’ features six unique locations that combine wellness, adventure, and cultural immersion'.

A local insiders (Sep. 12) guide to Binh Chau hot spring (What to expect). It looks like the place has seen some heavy renovations since I was here.

Something from Myanmar. Mylocal passion (Apr. 1):

'Tanintharyi region also has natural hot springs and the water is warm and hot in every season. Tanintharyi hot springs are heated groundwater which is of high temperature water. Local people believe that the water of hot springs can be good for our body, relax our muscles and can heal neuralgia. I want to mention four popular natural hot springs among local people in the different areas of the Tanintharyi region'.

All still very rustic luckily.

Breached

Though times are a changing, but not yet in Singapore. At least where it concerns attitudes to bodyculture, which are yet to move forward and with this news snippet (Oct. 14) it doesn't look likely to change in the foreseeable future:

'The local edition of famed fashion magazine Vogue has repeatedly been found to be in breach of government content guidelines and, as a result, had its one-year permit revoked yesterday.

The magazine then reapplied for a new permit but was granted one lasting just six months.

In a Straits Times article, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) said that Vogue Singapore violated their content guidelines on four occasions within the past two years by including nudity and content that “promoted non-traditional families”.

The exact content that violated MCI’s standards has not been revealed. Although Vogue Singapore does not feature explicit nudity, Infocomm Media Development Authority’s content guidelines notes that semi-nude models with breasts or genitals covered by “hands, materials or objects” are also forbidden.

As for the part about content promoting “non-traditional” families? That is code for content that portrays queer or LGBTQ+ relationships in a positive light'.

Then finally some news from Quebec (Canada) ,not noted for it's geothermal highlights. LaPresse (Jun. 7):

'Un développement touristique incluant un lagon chauffé entre autres par la géothermie et la construction de 300 unités en partie chauffées et climatisées par l’énergie solaire doit prendre forme à 45 minutes de Québec, aux portes du Massif de Charlevoix. Développé en trois phases, l’environnement du GeoLAGON nécessitera un investissement privé de 300 millions'.

It's not clear from the article itself whether the lagoon's waters would be geothermally sourced or just geothermally heated. With all the geothermaility in Southeast Asia, it's quite astonishing that nothing has been done on a similar but somewhat smaller scale ...

nick.j.long

Sudah lama sekali ada cita-cita main ke Dieng; baru tahun ini impian itu dapat teraih 💙💚💙💚// Enjoying colourful lakes, ancient temples, meditation caves, hydrangeas and volcanic hot springs in a place I’ve wanted to visit for ages and ages: the beautiful #dieng #plateau in #indonesia. #mountains #lakes #temple #hotsprings

Sorted

whoisjosef

war echt ziemlich heiß

#natural #hotsprings #coron #philippines

A long overdue delve into the global soaking culture and in particular that of Southeast Asia. 

Starting off with the latter, nature newschannel Mongabay (Dec. 31, 2021) has an informative in-depth article on an initiative to expand the Mt Apo (Mindanao, Philippines) geothermal power plant:

'In the 1980s, when the Philippines’ Energy Development Corporation, or EDC, began developing plans for a geothermal energy plant near Mount Apo, a dormant volcano on the southern island of Mindanao, it faced fierce resistance.

Decades later, the geothermal plant is frequently cited as an example of a project that has fulfilled its commitments to traditional landholders, and its permit was renewed without major dissent in 2017. But a bloody struggle preceded the agreement, and as the company seeks to expand, it may again find itself facing opposition from Indigenous peoples'.

...

Despite its troubled beginning, the deal is now widely regarded as having been a success.

Under the agreement, Madadma gets 1 centavo per kilowatt-hour from the electricity sold by the geothermal plant, giving the tribe a steady income stream. This royalty goes to the Environmental and Tribal Welfare Trust Fund, administered by an NGO, the Mt. Apo Foundation, Inc. PNOC-EDC also provided housing for 68 families relocated for the project, granted scholarships to students from the affected area, and gave tribal members priority for hiring during the construction phase.

The company running the plant wish to expand, whereby the expansion in capacity will also mean more land will be needed. Hope is that a negotitions with tradional tribes will result once again in a win-win situation for local tribes'.

Remaining with the Philippines. Outoftownblog (Apr. 17) has a local's list of natural hot springs in the Philippines. About 10-ish, most with resort in the name.

Viatravelers (Apr. 26) has an overview of hot springs near Manila:

'Some are located within resorts that have capitalized on their tourist-luring appeal, while others are accessible by the wider public.

Either way, hot springs near Manila offer everything a weary traveler desires: warming waters to revitalize the body and spectacular sceneries to calm the mind'.

Authentic Indonesia has a dozen of Indonesia's best hot springs.

'Traveling has many purposes. One of them is for relaxation. To get your own relaxation can be obtained in many ways, including by visiting natural hot springs. Soaking in a hot spring pool can be one solution to make the body fresh again after tired undergoing holiday activities. If you want to travel to the hot springs, here are our recommendations for 12 best Indonesia natural hot springs'.

angela_fritz

Live#24/30

Heiße Quellen in Bandung -Was war bisher dein schönster Reisemoment?

•

Warum ich die Welt sehen will! 🌎❣️

Heute Thema in meinem Live, um 22:00 Uhr geht es los 😊 ich freu mich auf dich!

#livetogrow #reisen #weltsehen #lebennacheigenemstandard #heissequellen #bandung

ThinkGeoenergy (Mar. 8) has an article in which with the example of Flores they try to propose that geothermal electricity is especially required to assist the tourism sector in developing.

Unlikely, but there's a recent article (Jun. 24) by the Smartlocal concerning Singapore's onsens.

'Good news for those who miss Japan’s hot springs: Singapore, too, has spas with their very own onsens for self-pampering – both the nude and non-nude sort. While we don’t have many natural hot spring sources, the water at these onsen spas in Singapore do come with minerals or at least some sort of health benefits.

...

There’s no better way to bond with your mates than for all of you to jump into a pool together, fully butt-naked. But you don’t have to illegally skinny dip in a reservoir when you can do that at Yunomori Onsen & Spa, which brings the public hot spring experience to Singapore. Yup, the gender-separated pools here are 100% communal, so mentally prepare yourself, and let your inhibitions free!

klook has an updated (May 26) listing of what they consider 8 of Vietnam's best hot springs. Pretty odd, that the article lists the hot springs, but posts of hot springs from the US! 

Wellnessvietnam has another more thoughtful article (Feb. 15) on Vietnam's natural (but developed) soaks:

'There are more than 200 hot springs throughout Vietnam though only a handful have been developed and are safely accessible for public bathing. Our guide to the ‘Best Hot Springs Experience in Vietnam’ features six unique locations that combine wellness, adventure, and cultural immersion'.

ccsecotours

Are you looking to soak in mineral hot springs on your next vacation?

On our final stop of "4 Waters" Day​ Tour you'll find an oasis of hot spring resort opportunities...

Values

Over to the global chapter. Which is mostly Japan focussed.

Japan's open onsen soaking culture, quirky for foreigners is slowly being eroded.

Japan Today (Jan. 9):

'Communal bathing has long been a part of traditional Japanese culture. Mixed-gender bathing, though, or konyoku, as it’s called in Japanese, is something that’s been largely phased out at hot springs and sento (public baths), with the vast majority of such facilities now having two separate bathing areas for male and female customers.

An exception is made for young children though, with Japanese society, for the most part, thinking it’s no big deal for a mother to take her young son into the women’s bath with her, or vice-versa for a father and daughter in the men’s bath. The question is what age qualifies as “young,” there’s now a new legal cutoff in Tokyo.

Previously, children as old as nine were allowed into the bath for the opposite sex, provided they were bathing with a parent or guardian, of course. As of January 1, though, the new age limit is six, meaning that once children hit the age of 7, boys are legally allowed only in the men’s bath, and girls the women’s.

...

“If it’s such a problem for parents, then they don’t have to come to the public bath in the first place.”

As alluded to by the last comment, though communal bathing was once more or less an unavoidable necessity of life in Japan, in the modern era it’s pretty much an optional way to get clean. Two or three generations ago, it still wasn’t all that unusual for Japanese homes, especially those of working-class families, to lack bathing facilities, meaning family members had to make regular trips to their neighborhood public bath. Nowadays, though, all but the most spartan of apartments have a bath/shower combo, so going to the sento is more a leisure activity than a cornerstone of anyone’s hygiene routine'.

Guardian (Mar. 12) looks at another aspect, also reflecting the gradual demise of traditional values:

'The absence of women seemed to confirm Japanese media reports that konyoku – mixed bathing – is at risk of becoming a cultural curiosity, especially when it requires participants to go naked.

Many blame the rising menace of wani (crocodiles) – the nickname given to men who spend long periods immersed in the water, their eyes constantly scanning the room for female bathers.

...

Other hot springs have followed suit, with one proprietor who recently introduced a clothing rule on a trial basis suggesting the change would become permanent since it had clearly deterred bathers with “perverse motives”. Another onsen in the south-west of the country saw the number of female bathers rise from 10% to 80% after it made covering up compulsory.

...

Kobayashi [Yasuhiko Kobayashi, a lawyer who has written a guide to the country’s best onsen], who has sampled about 3,000 onsen over the past three decades, attributes the breakdown of bathing manners to a lack of consideration for other people that now afflicts wider Japanese society.

“People think that if something is not actually prohibited, then they can do as they please,” he said. “When foreigners arrived in Japan in the late 1800s, mixed bathing was one of the things that really surprised them. But that was a time of tolerance and respect in Japan. It meant Japanese society was safe and peaceful. The decline of mixed bathing is proof that standards are declining.”

The introduction of partitions and bathing wear requirements diminishes the value of what should be an innocent shared experience, he added. “It means that onsen are losing their individual charm. That’s a real shame.”

Globalhobo (Dec. 13, 2021) looks at the soaking culture from the dive into the unknown aspect:

'No. My clothes we’re staying firmly on, thank you very much.

...

So, with my new friends Abbey and Jada bravely leading the way, I tentatively lost my onsen virginity.

And it was… freeing.

Although I had thought that being in an essentially translucent swimming pool with a group of strangers would be daunting, once I got over the initial shock of seeing boobs every which way I looked, I found the whole experience transformative.

...

You can look at all the glamourised, picture-perfect female bodies you want on Instagram, or in magazines, but at the end of the day, those photos are artwork: the most ‘ideal’ of the ideal body-types who are paid to pose and edited so that the photos are flattering. Normal human bodies are naturally lumpy, lopsided and flawed. But that doesn’t make us any less beautiful or valuable. Bodies, too, are essentially just superficial skin prisons that enclose the real us: it is our feelings, thoughts and actions that make us intrinsically unique.

So frankly, I think we Brits have a lot to learn culturally, and maybe practicing becoming relaxed with taking our clothes off more readily (within the parameters of the law) is a good a place, as any, to start. I believe we could all do with being a bit more naked!

Elsewhere, ThinkGeoenergy (Jul. 13) has a short article on the supposed threat of geopower generation versus soaking:

'On June 21, 2022, the Japan Hot Spring Association held their own in-person general meeting in three years after the restrictions caused by the pandemic. One of the major topics discussed during the meeting was the potential of geothermal power generation in Japan and its possible effect to Japanese hot spring culture.

...

“The hot spring culture is pervasive in Japan, with 130 million people staying at hot springs annually. Geothermal power generation is now used for conventional hot springs.” said Ministry of the Environment Director Yoshiaki Kitahashi. He added that the minimum line for geothermal power generation is that it should not affect the conventional use of hot springs'.

seraiballmann

Dicen que el agua cura todos los males.

No sé si los cura, pero te hace sentir mejor.

#aguastermales #thermalbaths #family #coloredhair #nature #relax #greenery #naturalspa #naturalsprings #travel #trip #wanderlust #travelphotography #travelmania #rainbow #naturelover

Away from Japan, MTL blog (Jun. 7) notices that Iceland's hot spring culture is to be exported to ... Canada!

'A giant geothermic pool could be coming to Quebec. With a surface area of 120,000 square feet, the Iceland-style swimming hole would be the largest of its kind in the world, promoters say.

The lagoon would be the centrepiece of an eventual 600-door retreat in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, a small town on the Saint Lawrence River roughly an hour north of Quebec City. There are also plans for restaurants and a spa.

...

The pool itself would rely on geothermal, biomass and solar energy to maintain a year-round temperature of 38 C'.

It does look though that it's Iceland's soaking culture for foreigners (not the national soaking culture) is to be exported.

Finally, BBC (May 19, 2021) has a video on geothermal energy.

Great

kz.thailand

Make #Hotsprings Great Again. ✌🏻🐅⛰

#chiangdao #chiangmai #thailand #请道 #清迈 #泰国 #mybodynotyours #photography #naked #nude#photography #温泉 #น้ำพุร้อน #น้ำร้อน

Times of Covid meant that many people haven't had the ability to move outdoors and explore. Nor have the English language tourists been doing their tourist hanging out thing. So that explains the dearth of images and reports of late. 

But let's just see how much there is to share.

New Strait Times (Apr. 21) reports on how Japanese tourism companies are eyeing up US expansion:

'Hoshino Resorts, a 107-year-old company famed for its luxury retreats in beautiful Japanese locales, aims to open its first location on the U.S. mainland in the next three to five years, said chief executive officer Yoshiharu Hoshino, whose family founded the business. The closely-held company has scouted locations and held discussions with real-estate developers and investors, he said. One ideal spot, in his view, could be Saratoga Springs, about a three-hour drive from New York City and Boston.

To build a new facility with a partner, Hoshino would seek out a location in the U.S. with such potential. The culture of visiting hot springs for relaxation and restorative treatments already exists in the U.S., although many of the most sought-after spots still remain wild, with no resort infrastructure around them. Hoshino designs and operates hot spring resorts, typically owned by real-estate developers and investors.

_stephaniemelanie_ visits sento bathhouses:

It was a super nice bathhouse 😞

Take no yu, Itabashi-Ku

竹の湯、板橋区

.

.

.

#dokodemosento #publicbath#bathhouse#ig_tokyo#bath#batroom#sento#脱衣所#浴場#デザイン#アート#建物 #retro #レトロ#japan#art#design#art#construction#archilovers#archidaily#igers#ig_japan

#instagramjapan#コミュニティファースト#igersjp #温泉

#銭湯

Meanwhile, Singaporeans themselves seem to be craving a (Japanese) hot spring experience. Asiaone (Jul. 10) has some notes to share on domestic Japanese style spa's. Expect this:

'This one’s for Westies who’ve had to travel to the east for an onsen fix thus far. Slated to open its doors from end-July, Joya Onsen Cafe is a full-fledged Japanese bathhouse set in Jurong.

For a true-blue communal experience, plunge into their bamboo-roofed public baths ($38++) steeped with a rotating range of minerals and infusions – we hear that green tea and citrus baths are in the lineup. Private onsen rooms are also available from $40++ per pax for a group of five.

A popular post-onsen ritual in Japan is drinking milk, so head over to the rustic in-house cafe for sushi, parfaits, and Hokkaido milkshakes'.

Not quite the same experience I think. Coincidentally Traveller.com (Nov. 16) shares a bath at Kaga onsen, Kanazawa (Japan):

'I do love me an onsen, those bath houses built around geothermal springs in Japan. Ever since discovering the delights of Turkish baths in London in my 20s, I've always jumped at the chance to get hot and sweaty with a bunch of naked men – and onsens are among the most civilised places to do so.

I love the ritual and attention they apply to the pastime: the prescribed washing beforehand; the tiny hand towel which shouldn't ever go into the bath water; the polite injunctions to, essentially, shut up and relax. And in a country as volcanically active as Japan, there are thousands of onsens, indoor and outdoor, private and public. Bliss'.

khairudinovana

🌊🌿🐉 «Я Водяной, я водяной....»

Сижу там такая в горячей природной ванной с иловым пузырящимся дном 🙊 😅

И грязи и воды и сероводород, всё что хотите 😆

Спасибо @maru_ayurveda за чудесный мини ретрит в горячие источники. ❤️🙏🏽 Надо будет повторить 😃😘 #life #mylife #bali #balilife #love #balilove #hotsprings

More hot investment news. Vietnam Investment Review (Oct. 16):

'Thanh Hoa Department of Planning and Investment is calling for investors to join the mineral hot spring resort urban project with the total investment capital of VND6.1 trillion ($265.2 million).

...

The investor will be allowed to manage, trade, and exploit townhouses, detached villas, duplex villas, quadrangle villas, apartment buildings, management and administration houses, preschools, inter-schools, Japanese food centre, VIP Onsen area, event area, and theme park, after completion'.

maiphuong91_ at Yoko Onsen (northern Vietnam):

🅞🅝🅢🅔🅝 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣

TravelDailyNewsAsia (Nov. 10) reports on other investment opportunities in Vietnam: the wellness sector.

Situation

Two lesser reports.

The Bangkok Post (Oct. 16) reports on an incident in which a child fell in a very hot spring (Pai) and whose parents wish to sue the company responsible for the inadequate signage.

While Philippines News reports (Jul. 6) on a unclear incident in which a man is reported to have drowned in a hot spring.

miriam_ever

HOTPOOL

Spending some time in nature is one of our favourite things... This was an incredible place: a hotpool in the middle of nature. No one was around. And you might think: why going to a hotpool in ‘hot indonesia’? The answer is: traveling in Flores is sometimes cold and rainy. So going to a hotpool was a nice and welcome experience. We enjoyed it and after an hour we were ready to go again.

#malanagehotsprings #bajawa #travelindonesia #ig_indonesia #indonesia #visitindonesia #instatravel #travelgram #travel #travelphoto #travelcouple #neverstopexploring #reisverslaafd #travelling #backpack #placestovisit #travelbuddy #borntotravel #travelwithme #weliketotravel #justthetwoofus #travelwithlove #traveladventure #exploringtheworld #lifeofadventure

#coupletravel #couplelove

#travelgoals #ourtasteforlife #epicwanderers

In other news, a Singapore-based influencer from Taiwan faces internet derision (Asiaone, Apr. 28) for using Singapores Sembawang hot spring waters to cook chicken.

'NParks said in a statement: "The egg cooking station at the Sembawang Hot Spring Park is meant for collecting water and cooking eggs. As the water at the hot spring park is channelled to our public waterways, cooking of other food is not allowed as this may pollute the waterways'.

An interesting article (Nov. 15) from BBC on Taiwan's under-ocean thermal hot acidic springs:

'Nicknamed the Milky Sea, it is both a beauty and a beast. The alluring hue attracts photographers, but under the surface the water is hot and acidic, its pH value one of the lowest naturally occurring in the world's oceans – something not yet fully understood by scientists. Dozens of hydrothermal vents, like small chimneys, called fumaroles, litter the ocean floor, pumping out toxic gases and heavy metals. Turtle Island's vents are like a natural laboratory because not only are they close to shore, they are also shallow, many lying less than 14m below the surface, making them accessible sites for study by marine scientists'.

sacrum60s

#hotsprings #taiwan #tarokonationalpark