January 2004

Japan

by Rebecca Teo

Tokyo is usually the first destination that people think of when they think of Japan. You can herd the youngsters off to Tokyo Disneyland, go gape at the collection of kites at the Kite Museum or, for the diehard shopoholics, take off to the Ginza strip to splurge your entire life savings. There are a million things to do and million more to see. At this point, you’re probably thinking you need a vacation from this vacation!

That is why you should make time for the other side of this amazing area. Just three hours away by train or bus from Tokyo, you’ll find yourself in Gunma, where you can relax in the famous Shima Onsen.

Located at the entrance of Shima Onsen, is Kahiwaya Ryokan, a Japanese traditional style inn you can call home during your vacation. It has 14 tatami rooms, each with a view of the peaceful countryside. The staff are English-speaking so you can put down your translation booklet and truly relax. There is a private wooden barrel bath that you can reserve ahead of time for a romantic soak under the moonlight but do reserve it when you’re making your reservation because there’s only one to go around.

Do not, though, coop yourself up in the inn, for there is plenty to do in this lovely countryside village. You can always go for a walk in the forest, fish in the river or go hot spring-hopping.

There are quite a number of public hot spring bathes where you can soak yourself silly. If you do not have the time to check out all of them, then I strongly recommend the picturesque Yamaguchi outdoor hot spring to spend your afternoon. It is only a 15-minute walk from Kahiwaya Ryokan and it’s free! Who knows, you may even get to spot some wildlife!

There is nothing better than a hot soak followed by a meal of sushi and sake. A walk down Kininoki-Daira Street will have your mouth salivating as you pass by all of the restaurants and food stalls.

Nobody returns from Japan without stepping into one of the many temples. The nearby Hinatami Yakushi Temple is an old temple built in the Muromachi period that deified the hot spring. It is not very fancy, unlike the big temples you can find in Kobe but here you can experience a small part of history.

Before you know it, it’s time to say sayonara and head back to the city. You may leave wrinkled from all that soaking but nevertheless, happy and probably, planning another trip back for your next vacation.

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink


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