Is there a bigger towel?

I arrived in Matsuyama after a quick flight from Tokyo. The city has mountains on one side and the ocean on the other; it is famous for its hot springs. Natsume Soseki, the Charles Dickens of Japan, lived there and included the hot springs (Onsen) in his novel “Botchan”.

The hot springs are called Dogo Onsen and are one of the oldest in Japan. The main pubic bath is called Dogokan and was just a few blocks from my hotel. The picture above is the main entrance.

As I walked to the Dogokan, I noticed that several people were wearing summer kimonos (Yukata). Many of them were going in and out of the Dogokan.

On my way back to the hotel, I saw a couple walking up the hill. After the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, it was a little like stepping back in time to see so many people in their summer kimonos.

I walked up the hill and back to the hotel; I needed to get back in time to meet people for a business dinner. At the entrance to the hotel, was a fountain with a dramatic mask at the top.

My colleagues were sitting around the edge of the fountain with their feet in the pool. The water was from the hot springs, so I immediately rolled up my pants and joined in. The combination of the rounded pebbles and hot water felt fantastic at the end of the long day.

I imagined that this would be my “communal” hot springs experience and later I would go by myself to try out the Onsen.

In my room was a carefully prepared Yukata. Now I understood why so many people were wearing them. They were provided by the different hotels and inns in the neighborhood.

After dinner, several people wanted to go back to the Dogokan and try out the Onsen. I decided to be brave and join them.

The Onsen is basically a public bath. Men and women are separated but once in your respective side, there is no privacy. I got a towel that would have been the right size to dry a dish, but not much for covering up. You use the towel for modesty (as much as you can), to wash, and to dry off.

The Onsen experience is summed up in the instructions below. The only difference is that in real life, you get to go through the steps with your friends and neighbors.

But, after a few moments of embarrassment, I joined right in. And, I have to admit, it was very relaxing.