Onsen

Our hotel in Fujikawaguchiko, called Rakuyu, had a lot of amenities to give its guests a traditional ryokan experience. Our room had an area with the tatami mats (with futon beds provided if we wanted to sleep there). We had yukata (traditional Japanese robes) and the hotel encouraged all guests to wear them in the common spaces. And last but not least, there was a public and a private onsen (hot spring bath). We tried the public onsen early in the morning. The male and female baths were separated so Divya and I went our separate ways. It was an interesting experience. I had never been fully naked in a public bath before, so I was a bit iffy. But there was nobody in the bath at the time so I had the whole onsen to myself. The view was amazing facing Lake Kawaguchiko. The water was almost 40°C, a bit too hot for my liking. After a while, the heat made me uncomfortable enough that I left. Divya had a much more pleasant experience. The heat did not bother her and she came back very relaxed. Later in the day, we tried the private onsen, where we could both go in together. Again, the lake view was great. After the bath, we had the complimentary cocktail and snacks in the hotel restaurant. Later, we rewatched “Lost in Translation”, keen to see its depiction of Japan and its unique culture again.Read more