Battle

earldax

Here, life is beautiful.

✨🧚🙏🏼💕

#pai #hotsprings #thailand #fagabond

It's been quite a while, so you'd expect that this posting would be jammed pack. It's not. 

There seems to be less and less sharing of pure natural hot springs on the internet. Just teases. Or commercial advertisements for the ever-increasing privately run facilities.

But despite this, a couple of snippets. 

A brief overview of teases and advertisements on Southeast Asia's soaking scene. Then launching into the wider area and soaking culture.

Let's start off in Malaysia. 

A visit (Apr. 30) to Poring (Sabah) by the Travelynnfamily. Expectations:

'Some visitors (us included) are slightly surprised when arriving at the bathing tubs, so it helps to set expectations before you arrive. In a battle between nature and function, the latter has won so you shouldn’t expect rock pools or large, pristine bathing areas like in Iceland, for example.

Instead of building into the existing landscape, (very) functional manmade bathtubs have been installed, in blocks of four, surrounded by concrete walkways and steps. It’s fine but wasn’t quite what we expected.

As there isn’t sufficient flow onsite anymore to cater for the volume of visitors, an offsite plant pipes the water into the resort at controlled flows and temperatures. Whilst this is a practical solution to a common problem, it take something away from the experience to know it’s so managed. You can see the original spring at the rear of the bathtub area, but it’s cordoned off and looks quite sorry for itself.

This also means that you will be sharing a bathing area with lots of other people, although we had a block to ourselves on our visit due to lower numbers. The tubs are quite deep, so you aren’t necessarily on display all of the time'.

Then the tease, though Malaysia harbours precious little free accesible soaks. Travel & Leisure Asia (Nov. 8) on Malaysia's best hot spring "retreats":

'While Japan is emblematic of onsens, Malaysia’s network of rejuvenating hot springs promises natural beauty and modern luxury, as these thermal wonders are not just found amidst natural surroundings but also as part of retreats, resorts and even theme parks. Join us as we explore some of the best hot springs in Malaysia'.

Klook (updated Mar. 15) presents Vietnam's best hot springs. The list does itself no favours as two of the photo's are from the US!

Another link doing itself no favours is that of Seafan (Sep. 24). Artist impressions accompany the list, though these are in no way related to the actual conditions. Wishful thinking? The intro:

'On my first trip to Thailand, after a few days exploring Bangkok, I ventured out into lush jungles on some day trips, and eventually I stumbled upon a hidden gem—a hot spring nestled in the mountains. As I stepped into the warm, mineral-rich water, surrounded by towering trees and the sounds of nature, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace wash over me. It was the perfect retreat from the bustling adventure and exactly what I needed to recharge.

Thailand’s hot springs offer that same feeling of tranquility for anyone seeking a break from the energetic pace of travel.

From remote mountain springs to luxurious spa resorts, this guide will take you to incredible spots where you can soak, relax, and let the natural beauty of Thailand wash away your worries. Enjoy!

 

oommy.bestofall

Ur happiness is ur responsibility, so do it when ever u can 💙💙💙 #hotsprings

Wanderon (Oct. 7) has a Top 10 Thai hot springs. 

Surprises? No. 10 Banjaran Hot Springs is actually located deep into Malaysia ... Pity, because the others are neatly presented. The intro:

'Thailand’s got a secret: hot springs. Not just any hot springs, but steamy pools hidden in jungles and mountains. It is one of the best places to visit in Thailand. Imagine stumbling across a natural hot tub while hiking – that’s what we’re talking about.

These aren’t your average puddles. The water’s hot enough to boil an egg. Locals swear by them for fixing everything from sore backs to skin problems. Some people even drink the water, claiming it’s good for your insides'.

World Thermal Springs reports back (March) on a hot springs trip to Thailand, Lao P.D.R. and Cambodia.

An extensive feedback. The hot spring section of the tour starts in Krabi (a hot spring count of 7), heads up the east coast to Khanchanaburi (9 on the way there), then back down to Phuket, via the west coast (7). Restarts in Chiang Mai (7), then over to Chiang Rai, back via Fang (3), Pai (6) and Mae Hong Son (3). Then over to Muang Xai (Laos (1), then rounded off in Xieng Khouan (4). Nothing from Cambodia btw.

I admire that she is able to notch off quite a few hot springs on a daily basis, but the reports are all very matter of fact, not sharing the experience.

VNexpress (Aug. 10) on the cheap soak of Bo Am, followed by an accompanying photo:

'Located in Phu Mau Village, Son La Province, Bo Am Hot Spring (also known as Mo Am) is a natural hot spring with temperatures ranging from 35-40 degrees Celsius. About 150 kilometers from Hanoi, this hot spring is managed by a local cooperative for tourism purposes'.

Klook though does have better photo's with it's updated article (Oct. 2) on hot springs from Malaysia. 

If you actually compare their both articles (above on Thailand) it's evidently that Thai hot springs seem to encompass more nature in or nearby their pools. Just saying.

Sixteen worldwide hot springs as by Travel & Leisure (Sep. 23).

Apparently selected for their "incredible views". Includes Banjar (Bali), the sell:

'Few hot springs boast the tropical serenity of northern Bali's Banjar Hot Springs, a palm-fringed oasis with steamy 100-degree Fahrenheit water and traditional Balinese décor. The turquoise springs have two levels for swimming or bathing, with 13 intricate dragon spouts, and one central pool. The water's sulfuric content promises a restful, therapeutic experience — with lush gardens, towering palm trees, and chirping birds further transporting visitors to their state of Zen'.

Tripadvisor gives it 4 stars, from the reviews, it seems it is all or nothing (expectations?). Absolutely no one comments on the views. Nor can I remember these giving any impression.

Meals

Heading onwards, to the less natural, the wider region and just-touching-on subjects.

Starting off with the former.

ThinkGeoEnergy (Sep. 30) on Malaysia's first geothermal energy congress:

'The Southeast Asia region has earned an excellent reputation in the field of geothermal power generation. As of the end of 2023, the Philippines and Indonesia have a combined installed geothermal power capacity of 4370 MW, or about 27% of the global installed capacity. Taiwan also has operating geothermal power plants in Qingshui and Sihuangziping, and Thailand has had a 300-kW geothermal installation running since the 1980s'.

From the Philippines Primer (updated Jun. 13, original 2020):

'Get your ultimate Japanese pampering at the first-ever onsen spa and largest urban spa property in the country—I’M Onsen Spa.

...

At I’M Onsen Spa, they offer a variety of therapeutic onsen spa, each with unique benefits'.

A recent review:

'It is not onsen. It is just a sauna with a jacuzzi where you have to be naked. I.e. the only common thing with onsen is that you have to be naked. That's it. And those jacuzzi doesn't even work, it is just a pool with hot water. There are no different types of hot and cold baths with different minerals. And they do mention on their site that they have baths, i.e. they lie in customer face'.

From their own website:

'Two Onsen pools with varying water properties. The state-of-the-art technology mimics the chemical composition of natural hot spring waters in Japan. Water types are rotating, featuring seasonal flavors, each with unique health and beauty benefits'.

Soaks further afield. 

Taiwan has a couple of reads.

BBC on a less-crowded (!!!!) than Japan's onsens (Jul. 23)

'Adding to the attraction is how relatively uncrowded some of Taiwan’s best hot springs are, especially when compared to Japan’s most popular onsen. Fewer people and fewer restrictions – what's not to love about this easier, lesser known and offbeat option?

...

"In the West, people go to bars after work to relax and catch up with friends. In Taiwan, we go to hot springs to meet our friends and socialise," Taiwanese marketing professional Jacquelyn Wu told me. The concept of yì bó èr shí is very popular in Taiwan, she elaborated. Literally translated as "one stay two meals", it refers to the phenomenon where people head to a hot springs resort after work, usually on Friday evenings, to enjoy a soak, dinner and a good night's sleep, followed by another soak and lunch, before going home.

For a relatively small island, Taiwan has one of the largest concentrations of geothermal springs anywhere in the world, thanks to its location in an active volcanic zone with constant subterranean heat. It was the Japanese colonisers in Taiwan who popularised the idea of bathing in these natural thermal springs. Just like Finns flock to their saunas, the Taiwanese frequent their hot springs for relaxation and rejuvenation'.

wenhsi1995, not crowded in Taiwan:

♨️

Navitaiwan (as of Oct. 3):

'This guide will cover Taiwanese hot spring etiquette and what they are. I’ll also talk about the most noteworthy geothermal springs to visit throughout the country.

I’ve visited several hot springs in Taiwan throughout my 5 years here. I want to help you determine whether it’s worth adding hydrothermal springs to your itinerary. So I compiled a bunch of information.

SummaryHot springs are geothermal springs that are great for relieving pain.

You’re allowed into Taiwanese hot springs if you have tattoos.

Beitou is the most popular hot springs in Taiwan.

Many hot springs are in hot springs hotels'.

Stark
Experiences shared, East Asia.

Australian website Escape (Oct. 29) and Korea:

'So I hit East Asia’s cool capital of Seoul, where Korean Bathhouses (jjimjilbang) are as popular as they are plentiful. The hottest item on the menu - a darn good naked scrubbing. Weekly or fortnightly beauty-conscious South Koreans will have their bodies ceremoniously scrubbed to achieve their envied glistening glow.

...

The naked bit felt a bit odd for a spa service, but having soaked in onsen in Japan and steamed starkers in saunas throughout Finland, I accepted this as a cultural norm.

...

While I did my best to avoid eye contact with stark naked fellow spa-goers, I felt uneasy about losing my own clothing (and perhaps my dignity). But once stripped bare, I did one last “OMG” breath, and joined the au natural K-set.

...

In hindsight, it wasn’t pleasant but it certainly wasn’t painful and perhaps I’d overreacted to the naked bit, as nobody else cared or stared. The discomfort was also worth it considering my skin’s transformation from rough, dull and dry to soft, smooth and dewy - which is fairly priced at $60 (KRW 55,000) too'.

Then with a US perspective. Live and let's fly (Aug. 24):

'A Jjimjilbang is a traditional Korean bathhouse and a cultural fixture in South Korea. These public bathhouses include gender-segregated Mogyoktang areas with hot and cold tubs, steam rooms, saunas, massage, and body scrubbing areas. They also include common areas with relaxation zones in which you can rest, eat, drink, and in some cases even sleep.

Indeed, my spa at the Grand Hyatt Seoul did not provide the full experience, but the Mogyoktang area was pretty authentic. There were saunas, steam rooms, cold plunge pools, and hot tubs. There was also little communal shower areas where you could dress and scrub your body before jumping in the pool or sauna while sitting on a stool that was only a foot off the ground.

And full nudity.

I find that interesting since it can vary so much from country to country, even within a region. I’m neither prudish nor unaccustomed to naked people. Spending so much time in Germany, where nudity in public baths is not only required but co-ed, I’ve seen bodies of all shapes and sizes and there’s frankly nothing prurient about it.

In Korea, the spa is truly a place where you let it all hang out. Quite a contrast from LA where people come into the sauna in their workout clothes or at least wrapped from neck to knee in towels. It wasn’t just in the sauna or steam room, though, but also in all the pools and even the lounge. And the place was packed!

Then over to the Japanese soaking experience.
An Australian view on bathing near an airport. News.com (Nov. 5):

'I’m at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido where I’ve spent the night at the Air Terminal Hotel before joining a tour group to explore the culinary highlights of the prefecture. This airport hotel has a view of the tarmac and a reasonable price tag (AUD $176) that includes a buffet breakfast and a visit to the onsen.

...

I stand and move towards the pool’s steps, towel once again clutched in front of me, and the moment comes when I must fold it and put it on my head, as is the custom, and descend into the steaming 42 degree geothermal water.

And, of course, it’s fine.

In the onsen, no one looks or talks to each other and they certainly don’t invade each others’ space. I find a spot in the corner and sink down until the water is covering my shoulders. Then I gaze out the window at the garden and the tiny patch of sky I can see from this angle, and let my mind wander. Everyone is calm, serene, quiet and I feel my worries and the tension of travel float away.

...

It took me a couple of days to get truly comfortable with public nudity but once I’d chilled a bit I was so proud of myself for shaking off my shyness'.

Finally, a slightly different take on soaking in Japan. From artnet (Feb. 29):

'All good things come to an end, but an ending can also be the start of something new. Such appears to be the case with Tokyo’s Onsen Confidential, the hybrid gallery share and hot spring retreat, which is prepping its second and final edition.

...

Onsen Confidential began in 2022, after plans to launch in 2020 were scuttled by the pandemic. It involves Japanese galleries hosting shows from foreign dealers—and everyone repairing to an onsen (a traditional natural hot spring) to chat while bathing together naked.

...

While many dealers are comfortable with gallery exchanges at this point, the idea of having to bathe naked in front of others can be quite daunting for some. (Swimsuits are not allowed at onsen.) But it is this kind of setting that allows them to let their guard down, get to know each other, share their thoughts, and explore new ideas, Rosen [co-director of the Tokyo gallery Misako & Rosen and one of the project’s organizers] said. The event, as he sees it, is meant to “get people together in a space of trust.”

It is “meant to be fun, and it’s meant to place people in a position of vulnerability and trust, while also combining with relaxation,” Rosen said. “If you think about a polar opposite, you may think of an art fair, where it—just by design—fosters a sense of competition.”

_stephaniemelanie_

Yesterday sento in Kaisei-yu @kaiseiyu

Kaisei-yu is a onsen sento with natural black water hot & cold ☺️ super refreshing and enjoyable sento with the beautiful Fuji-san tiles and the 🐟🐠

.

Kaisei-yu, Kamata

改正湯、蒲田、大田区

.

📍〒144-0051 Tokyo, Ota City, Nishikamata, 5 Chome−10−5

.

Remember that taking pictures in a sento is prohibited 🙏🏻

Taken with a special permission

.

#dokodemosento #銭湯 #sento #onsen #bath #japan #温泉 #bathtime #黒湯 #蒲田 #大田区 #羽田 #haneda #otaku #tokyo

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.

Liberation

ren.flystory on Lombok:

Volcanic Hot Springs 🌋

#hotsprings #volcano #rinjani #mountains #góry #gorąceźródła #travel #podróże #podróżniczka #podrozemaleiduze #travellife #mustsee #365photochallenge #icanrelate #hotwater #vacation #wakacje

News - Taiwan - side shows. That's all to share this time round.

Some Taiwan experiences then.

Foreignersintaiwan (14 Aug.) heads to Fanfan hotspring, an undeveloped and wild spring in northern Taiwan. It's very much a photographic share. Nothing qualitative from this visit is noted, with this exception:

'I have been to Fanfan Hot Spring once in 2020. It was a nice experience, but there were a lot of people there. Because it is so easily accessible and well known, it attracts a lot of people'.

Nickkembel has an overview (Sep. 7) of hot springs on Taiwan:

'In this article, I’m going to introduce 20 of the best Taiwanese hot springs from north to south, including famous spas, hot spring villages, hot spring parks, and wild hot springs, most of which I’ve personally visited in my 10+ years of living in Taiwan'.

A very good article, with experienced samples as well as a map with the soaks highlighted. Most though developed, only a couple are referred to as 'wild'.

 Valerie (Jun. 21)

On OxfordStudent (Feb. 21) another experience of soaking on Taiwan.

'Thus, in true British fashion, when I was first informed that the hot springs in Taiwan offered both an indoor, nude pool and an outdoor, clothed option, I assumed I would always be sticking to the latter.

My year abroad in Taiwan thus far had been stuffed with new experiences and going out of my comfort zone, but the Brit deep down inside of me still recoiled at the thought of stripping down and sitting in a pool alongside twenty odd other unclothed women. Eating cured jellyfish I could just about manage but being naked – God forbid!

...

People often say that nudity can be liberating, but I had always thought that required a bold gesture leading to a grand, sudden rush of freedom and empowerment. This, however, was no I Capture the Castle moment. Instead, it was a slow process – as I sunk into the steaming pool, I also sunk into the comfort of not feeling self-conscious about my body. For most of my life, nudity has been sexualised, yet here, it was amazingly normal.

Not to mention, it is very hard to find nudity sexual when surrounded by ten or so butt-naked elderly Taiwanese women arguing over water temperature'.

Stars

News from the region.

Soakers on Singapore are afraid that their Sembawang springs may fall victim to a geo-energy project (Mothership, Sep. 6):

'Singaporeans will not lose their access to Sembawang Hot Spring Park after the Energy Market Authority (EMA) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an islandwide geophysical study to assess the country's geothermal potential for power generation, said Ong Ye Kung in a Facebook post on Sep. 6, 2023.

Ong was responding to queries from residents.

He is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC)'.

In Vietnam soaking possibilities seem more secure (Vietnamplus, Sep. 20) :

'Boasting hot springs and unique historical and cultural relics, Thanh Thuy district in the northern midland province of Phu Tho is striving to turn tourism into one of its spearhead economic sectors, raising income for local residents.

...

There are 45 tourist accommodation establishments in the district with more than 3,900 rooms, including 3,388 ones that meet three-star standards. A five-star resort, the Wyndham Thanh Thuy Mineral Hot Spring Resort, has been put into operation recently, creating a highlight to attract tourists to Phu Tho'.

minhbi9205 at Le Champ Tu Le Resort Hot Spring & Spa (Yen Bai, North Vietnam)

Sống chậm lại...xả stress

Deepen

Heading further afield, both topically as well as regionally.

Global Wellness Institute notes (Mar. 28) a new developement: the trend to note how wellness experiences are at a premium (and pricing them thus). Such that wellness enjoyment will tend to be something for the very few privileged and fortunate enough. And access to wellness experiences to broader sections of the population will be excluded. 

They do note that nature is the only thing that can not be premiumized. Though seeing where the market is heading (money) there's no doubt that this will also happen some time in the future (the optimist).

Spoon & Tamago report (Mar. 30) on a bus serving as a mobile sauna (btw we're now in Japan):

'Saunas have been picking up steam in Japan for the last several years. From immersive art saunas to in-home saunas, the cottage industry has seen numerous innovations to make the hot and steamy experience accessible to all. One of the latest initiatives combines sustainability with saunas by refurbishing out-of-service public buses and transforming them into mobile saunas that can travel Japan.

The Sabus, as it’s called, is a project launched by Sauna Ikitai, a start-up focused on promoting saunas and all their health benefits. The company teamed up with Tokyo and Osaka-based architecture firm OSTR to renovate and retrofit old buses so that they function as saunas.

Rather than reviving the bus to a shiny, new state, the architects focused on retaining much of the old-school charm that the bus had. And by making small updates to the seating and handles, they managed to create a unique experience that feels somewhere in between a bus ride and a visit to the sauna.

SaunaTimes (Jun. 17) has an interview with Marishi Mochida of Japan Sauna-Institute. On Japanese sauna culture:

'In Japan, saunas are a major form of entertainment, regardless of gender or age. Public saunas are everywhere, and you just invite your friends, co-workers, or family members to go together. Let’s be naked, enjoy the sauna and drink good sake or beer, that’s how we deepen the connection with people.

Another thing is silence. In Japan, you’re expected to be quiet in the sauna, and in many spas you can actually see posters that say you have to refrain from talking'.

The interview comes complete with the latest Japan Sauna Survey (2023) in pdf reader format.

The Sydney Morning Herald (Jun. 9) lists 6 of Japan's best hot spring towns. 

BBC Travel (May 17) has an overview of their five best sento's in Tokyo:

'Yet, these days, nearly every neighbourhood in the capital still has at least one sento, and with a new generation of sento owners updating their bathhouses with saunas and other facilities, sento are currently enjoying a revival among both young and old'.

Tohuku reports (Jan. 10) on efforts to re-popularize traditional mixed bathing in onsen. There's a catch. Translated:

'Sukayu Onsen is a famous hot spring that has been around since the Edo period, and is famous for its 1,000-person bath, which is made entirely of cypress and has four different spring qualities in one bath. Today, it is popular not only for hot spring treatments but also for climbers as a base for climbing Hakkoda. Some people may be hesitant to use the Senninburo because it is a mixed bathing facility. It's a shame that even if you come all the way, you won't be able to enjoy the real pleasure of Sukayu Onsen. Therefore, we are trying to get as many people as possible to use the 1000-year-old bath, called ``Yuami Arari Day.'' Originally, Senninburo had women-only hours, but they were for one hour each in the morning and evening. On ``Yuami Wear Day'', you can take a day trip bath from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and all people are welcome to come wearing bathing clothes, so you can use the bath with family and friends without any hesitation.

Also reported by Kyoko Kitade on Facebook (Apr. 17). So the future is to adapt to foreign cultues?

queenniniwidit

I’m not salty, I just have resting beach face 😌

📸— @swghhiirl_ 🥸

#philippines #coron #palawan #beach #travelphotography #travel #itsmorefuninthephilippines #rbfproblems #hotsprings #islandhopping

#adidassponsorme

Finally Korean spa culture in the US. Salon (May 6):

'I'm not alone. Studies show women face overwhelming pressure to be thin — exacerbated by social media — which can lead to distorted body image and even disordered eating. As a daughter born into Indian culture, this pressure started when I was a young girl. My mother and her peers were groomed by society to be hypercritical of themselves and later, of their daughters. Early on I was talked to about weight — how I couldn't gain it the way my brother could, how my arms weren't meant to be muscular and thick, how noticeable it was when I gained or lost a pound or two.

...

Finally, at 40 years old, I found a potential antidote: a visit to the Korean spa.

...

Sitting in the aromatherapy sauna at Olympic Spa, I realized how normal I suddenly looked: somewhere between one breast size and another, with some cellulite and scar tissue matched by some and not others. Baring it all felt like leveling the playing field. And for the first time in my life as an Indian-American woman, I felt blissfully anonymous. Nudity among strangers can boost self-esteem and improve body image. When there are no barriers left between us, it's much harder to find points of comparison to envy'.

80bathes

There's maaaany reasons to love Northern Thailand but the hot springs are right up there at the top ♨️ This was taken on new year's day; start as you mean to go on and all that. The drive to get to Mueang Paeng Hot Spring was absolutely crazy beautiful too, highly recommend it ✨

Unshy

nun_siriluk

เรามาพักที่ Kuroyu onsen เป็นแหล่งเรียวกังออนเซน 1 ใน 7 ของ Nyuto onsen เปิดบริการมามากกว่า 300 ปี ตั้งอยู่ในภูเขาเขตจังหวังอากิตะ

เราจองห้อง private onsen แช่กับโอ๊ตสองคน สบายใจไม่เขินอาย อากาศเย็นๆกับการแช่น้ำร้อนๆ ชมวิวใบไม้สีสวย คือฟินขั้นสุด

ที่พักที่นี่จะจองยากนิดหนึ่ง ราคาก็ค่อนข้างสูง การเดินทางเลือกเช่ารถขับมาจะสะดวกที่สุด แต่ใดๆคือ คุ้มค่ามากกับประสบการครั้งหนึ่งในชีวิต #แช่ออนเซนธรรมดาโลกไม่จำ #nyutoonsen #akita #tohoku #japan

I like to take the opportunity to highlight some of Southeast Asia's few remaining hot springs and it's soaking culture. But there's really little coming forth.

Surprisingly though, there's a lot to share on hot spring / onsen experiences from Japan; it seems a thing. 

What surprises me more is the dearth of male sharers on this theme. Is the onsen experience not significant enough for males? Or is the experience for females so contrasting their mostly Anglo/Saxon-Northamerican culture, that they need to share (note: Thai (mostly) prefer to share the experience on Instagram (such as above))?

Anyway let's start with a Aotearoan experience. NZ Herald (Feb. 15):

'Many travel memories begin to fade as soon as they are formed, but standing completely naked among a group of equally nude strangers isn’t something I anticipate forgetting any time soon.

Months after my first trip to Japan, and first traditional onsen, the experience remains as crisp and clear as the alpine air that brushed goosebumps from skin that rarely saw the light, let alone other people’s eyes'.

In a similar vein, Youmightneedtohear (Nov. 10) has 3 hours in an onsen:

'Before I got to Japan, the last person I was naked in front of besides my boyfriend was my gynecologist (and that wasn’t total nudity, since I had one of those flimsy little pink robes). Even then, I tucked my underwear into my shoes on the floor so the doctor who was about to look deep into my vagina couldn’t possibly see them. That would’ve been embarrassing. This biannual twenty minutes with Dr. Adie was a month’s worth of preemptive anxiety, not only for the cancer screening, but for the fact I was going to be completely exposed in front of a stranger with their eyes on me. So, when dropped in a country where they have a spiritual and social commitment to bathing, it took me six months to work up the courage to get naked. I needed to partake in the magical experience of public nudity, and that meant diving into a sento or an onsen.

...

Sitting in a hot bath with a handful of other women, in joined and accepted silence, I was officially the least sexualized human being on the planet. As a teenager in America, it always felt like I was meant to be sexual, and if I wasn’t, I was doing this whole feminine thing wrong. But in turn, sex meant shame and shame meant modesty. I never wore a skirt above my knees, thought makeup besides mascara was for whores, and prided myself on my virginity as a sense of worth. I don’t even know who taught me this. I didn’t go to Catholic school or anything either. The constant visuals of women in underwear, going alone into public bathrooms, offhanded comments about unmarried cousins with kids, sweating in pants during the spring because the shorts in the girls’ section of Target were too short, they all just fused to me without me knowing it. But not here. The urge to cover my breasts slowly waned as the water loosened my body, my legs untucked and floating leisurely ahead of me. No eyes, no comparisons, no expectations of shame over our bodies. We women just shared our solitude protected by thick wooden fences and the grey snowy sky. The Japanese language has a term for this: Hadaka no Tsukiai, naked friendship'.

An explanation on Hadaka no Tsukiai from 50onsens (May 4, 2017):

'This is a beautiful Japanese saying, which literally means “naked communion” or “naked friendship”. No – this does not infer anything “hanky panky”, but it refers to the more open communication that can be discovered, whether it be with total strangers, family, friends or even work colleagues, when the barriers are broken down and the worries and stress of daily life are scrubbed away. Being in a naked state in front of others is totally normal to Japanese, and once international visitors overcome their shyness, they also tend to loosen up and marvel at the incredible relaxation and open their hearts and minds to a whole new perspective while enjoying a Japanese bathing experience.

There must have been something in the water at Seotonoyu as on the day we formed amazing bonds with a few people both Japanese and international. Included was a lady from Morocco who had lived in Japan for over 20 years, and a couple of local Japanese ladies with daughters living in the US. Before we knew it we were all in deep conversation and sharing details about our international families and recent travels!

Such a bond was formed that we were even offered a lift to the local station and were given some great advice about the best cherry blossom viewing areas close by'.

Savvytokyo (May 6, 2022) then, with an experience from a Southasian perspective:

'I am probably one of the few Indians brave enough to visit an onsen in Japan. Where I am from, it is unheard of in our culture to bathe naked among strangers—or even friends and family. We’re taught from a young age to respect our bodies by covering up. Most Indian families encourage modest dressing too. Any clothing item revealing too much skin is a big no-no. Because of my upbringing, I had a tough time initially adjusting to the onsen culture in Japan.

...

I found the onsen experience very eye-opening. It was the first time for me to see women being comfortable with nudity and using the place as an opportunity to bond with their friends and family. I admired how free and comfortable they seemed with their bodies. This experience inspired me to build a similar relationship with mine. It wasn’t something that happened overnight, though. I had to broaden my perspective and rethink some of my beliefs'.

wearethelastrockstars

One of my priorities is to spend time with my family at the mountain home ♨️ 一時退院中に内緒で家族と一緒に湯治旅行🍁 Before the surgery.. #hotsprings #湯治 #温泉 #紅葉 #บ่อน้ำร้อน #onsen #hotspring #japanese

Bathless

Then there's the soaking news. From Japan itself.

Vice reports (Jan. 27) on some of the modern trends in Japan. Cheap accomodation without bathing facilities. Which is leading to a revival of sento's:

'Like many people, 27-year-old Tokyo resident Arata Noguchi enjoys a good soak in the bath. It helps the architectural designer wash away stress after a long day’s work.

But unlike most people in the wealthy metropolis, he has to go out for it—his home has no shower or bath.

Known as furonashi bukken—literally “no bath”—traditional homes like Noguchi’s 160-square-feet apartment have recently become a subject of debate after a TV channel reported their supposedly rising appeal to nostalgic Japanese youth.

....

In the show aired last week, the Japanese broadcaster suggested that more young people were renting showerless homes not because they’re cheaper, but because they enjoy going to public baths, called sentō. The show didn’t mention people forced to live in a furonashi bukken due to poverty'.

Continuing with the articles with soaking as add-on, Japan Times (Jan. 8) reports on music festivals where you can also take a soak:

'There are certain things you come to accept about going to a music festival: You will probably not sleep well; you will spend too much money; you will get filthy. The grime is itself a part of the festival look — unshowered hair matted with sweat, body browned from a layer of dirt. Happily, this is less true of festival life in Japan, where natural hot springs improve the situation greatly, and, in fact, add an unexpectedly pleasurable dimension to the party culture.

...

I ventured out of my tent and saw a short line outside a cabin marked “coin showers.” Seeing people holding their toiletries and towels, I shuddered at the thought of paying for a 30-second blast of cold water. It was then that I was informed that some of the people my group had met up with were leaving for the onsen (hot springs).

In the changing room at the onsen, I felt a little awkward stripping down in front of women I had just met, finding myself more self-conscious than if they had been total strangers. At the washing area, I listened to them chat in Japanese as I shampooed my hair at a distance.

...

The organizers of Labyrinth provided options for people to get warm and refreshed. I slowly made my way to a bare-bones sentō (public bathhouse). The other women moving in a constant stream through the tiny, dingy space were all wearing the same wristband as I was, instantly recognizable as fellow partygoers. Tattoos, piercings and pockmarks revealed themselves in full. I spotted a woman so thin her rear was almost concave, and realized the slim frame was the same woman who had been planted at the front of the dance floor all night, eyes closed, unwavering and untouchable.

Festival outfits and makeup can feel like carefully cultivated performances. But there in that communal space, everyone’s little dramas crowd together in all their nakedness, faces scrubbed bare and diligently treated hair stripped down, before the armor goes on again. It must be a unique feature of festivals in Japan, I thought wryly, that you might be sitting naked next to someone, wondering if she was the one you saw making out with your ex the night before'.

Then we shift a little away from Japan. But not too far. NZStuff (Jan. 13):

'But you don't have to travel all the way Kusatsu, three hours north of Tokyo, or Beppu, far to the south in Oita prefecture, or even down to Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown to have the experience. You can almost capture the serenity of those spa towns in your own backyard, with an outdoor bath, and some good planting.

...

Once in place, you can add some minerals just like the ones you’ll find in Japan, such as Okuhida Yunohana Onsen Powder, which you can order online – it turns your bath milky, just like the spas around Mt. Yakedake, where it’s made – or a Tabino Yado milky bath, from Amazon.com, which has a similar effect.

If you can’t find either of those, some Epsom salts and a few drops of your favourite essential oil will do just as well'.

Hype (Feb. 2) hypes:

'She’s sexy and she knows it – Lai Huiru (賴慧如) left little to the imagination when she stripped naked during her relaxing holiday in Japan. Like many other tourists, people have been flocking to Japan after the country lifted its travel restrictions last year.

...

In her post, Lai Huiru wrote that it’s been on her bucket list to visit a hot spring hotel in Japan.

...

Besides the stunning view of the popular mountain, the singer-actress also gave followers quite the view of herself fully naked in enjoying her private hot spring bath'.

huiru.lai.71

2023.1.28

今天要跟大家分享 日本行-東京

我很期待的一間溫泉飯店

費用頗貴 所以只安排一天🤣

一開始到的時候有迎賓 （日本人都超有禮貌的） 還有會說中文的服務人員

一路帶我們到房間

一打開房門 只有一直 哇～～～～

房間的配置很乾淨舒服

還有一個休息沙發可以坐在那邊

望著落地窗外的富士山

再來他下午時間還有下午茶可以喝免費的茶與點心

晚餐也包含在裡面喔 （高級的日式料理

最期待的當然是 可以在房間裡面 泡湯

看富士山🗻啦🤩🤩

室外-6度 泡著溫暖的湯

真的很幸福

我給這家溫泉飯店9顆星

有去東京的朋友可以列入名單#鐘山苑

Finally the negative news to the forefront. Insider (Feb. 13):

'The Japanese police have arrested 17 men suspected of photographing and filming more than 10,000 women who were bathing in hot springs.

...

Yutaka Seki, an executive director at the Japan Hot Springs Association, told the SCMP that while photography and filming are prohibited in hot springs, new technology makes it difficult to fully prevent such cases from happening.

"I am very much in favor of both sexes being able to bathe together in a friendly and safe manner, but incidents such as this attract bad publicity and worry people," Seki told the SCMP. "And that makes my hope of mixed, communal bathing — as used to be the case in the past — more difficult."

Todayonline (Mar. 1) reports on quality (not) of water:

'The head of an upscale Japanese inn apologised on Tuesday (Feb 28) for only changing the water in its hot-spring bath every six months, allowing bacteria to breed 3,700 times over the standard limit.

Local ordinances stipulate a weekly replacement of the water in which guests traditionally soak naked together after taking showers, with men and women bathing separately.

Mr Makoto Yamada, president of the company that operates the nearly 160-year-old inn, said the facility had neglected to keep the water hygienic by using enough chlorine.

He "didn't like the smell" of the chemical, he said at a press conference'.

watery725

本來以為是個普通假日，驚喜的是路上都沒車、店裡都沒人，才想到原來是補班日。

繼上次solo camp後也半年過去了，真的很開心賺到這個包場的復興溫泉，整個溪谷只有我，可以脫光衣服、音響催到緊繃，平常都聽獨立樂團的我今天來個老歌精選跟著大聲唱，哦對了告白氣球已經是老歌囉。

這是近一年來最chill放鬆時光沒有之一，此刻我只放著音樂泡溫泉沒開燈，輕輕靠在巨岩上的頭稍微抬起便是漫天的星點，它們怎麼好像在動？啊！應該是我白酒喝多了，沒有鄰居我只能自己乾掉整支。

謝謝台灣這片美麗自然的饋贈，褪去不出於自身的一切才更能享受土地、水流與星河，彷彿整個拉克斯溪都是我家浴缸。

不想動了，我就這樣泡到清晨自然醒，晚安大家。 #taiwan1 #bpintaiwan #travelgram #instago #adventure #wanderlust #landscape #nature #outdoors #photooftheday #picoftheday #photography #naturephotography #travelphotography #beautifuldestinations #写真好きな人と繋がりたい #igtaiwan #taiwan #台湾 #대만 #台灣 #高雄 #桃源 #高雄景點 #kaohsiung #kaohsiungtrip #kaohsiungtravel #復興溫泉 #hotsprings #星空

Lavish

Then Traworld (Feb. 20) has an introductory article on Malaysian hot springs which they refer to as Malaysianonsens:

'Did you know that Malaysia has more hot springs than you might think? Despite not having any active 🌋volcanoes, we are lucky to be blessed with natural hot springs all over the country'.

 The Asia Press (Jul. 30) also has soaks from Malaysia to share:

'Malaysia may not have spectacular volcanoes, but it does have its fair share of natural hot springs ready to help you soak away your worries. Read on for our complete list of the best hot springs in Malaysia and get ready to plan your therapeutic retreat, whether you’re looking for a lavish hot spring resort or a budget-friendly communal pool to try.

Tophotsprings (Dec. 2) has 13 hot springs of East and Southeast Asia. It also adds Nepal to the geographical region.

oommy.bestofall (in Thailand):

Before I used to think that making myself happy is the best thing. When I grow up, making my loved ones happy, makes me feel happier.

Then the shock and horror stories. Singapore's Strait Times (Feb. 4):

'A visitor to Sembawang Hot Spring Park was “shocked and disgusted” by the sight of a woman washing her hair at the park.

According to a report by citizen journalism website Stomp on Friday, a contributor who goes by K saw the woman when he visited the park for the first time on Thursday morning.

K said the woman was washing her hair at the egg-cooking station and another was lying down on a step at the station, seemingly enjoying the vapour emitted from the hot water.

...

In January 2020, news site AsiaOne reported that a man was caught on camera soaking the lower half of his body in the hot spring.

In the same month, a reporter from Shin Min Daily News witnessed a number of visitors rinsing their feet with the hot spring water and then pouring it back into the cascading pools.

NParks guidelines state that unwanted hot spring water should be emptied into drains, not back into the pools.

In 2021, a Taiwanese YouTuber received online flak after posting a video showing her cooking chicken wings at the egg-cooking station in the park'.

We started this blog with nakedness, (fe-)males and soaking. In the Philippines a slightly different set up. Cebudailynews (Nov. 15) reports on the need for males to cover up:

'In Lapu-Lapu City, venturing outside your house without a shirt on can earn you a trip to the police headquarters for being a public eyesore.

Acting on orders coming from higher-ups, policemen apprehended and brought to their headquarters 231 people caught “topless” in public places between Oct. 24 and Nov. 6'.

davidkirklandphotography

Women bathing in thermal springs in the mountains behind the Timor-Leste capital, Dili.

📸Photography Tip: I wanted that “milky” effect in the water so I shot with a longer exposure (3seconds@f16), and I had to shoot it a few times to capture a picture where there was no movement of all three women.

#worldcaptures #ig_worldclub @cntraveler #natgeo #natgeotravel #Best_travel_photography #tourist #tagsta_travel #travelphotography #travels #mytravelgram #travelphoto

#tourist #travelpics #getaway #igtravel #traveltheworldphotography

#tripadvisor #travelling #ilovetravel #travelwriter @bestintravel #wonderfuldestinations #nikonaustralia #nikon #mynikonlife @kings_third_age #theglobewanderer #passionpassport #traveldeeper #lonelyplanet #beautifulworld