On the eighth day of my trip to Japan, I ventured out to the Hoheikyo Onsen located about an hour-and-45-minute ride south of my homestay. April was nice enough to walk me to the station so we could chat a little before I headed out (and let’s be honest, she was helping me make sure I was on the right train).
In Japan, talking on the phone on trains is a strong faux pas. My kids, however, were pretty desperate to talk to me, so I took a quick call. I told them ahead of time that I wouldn’t be able to say much because I didn’t want to come across as a rude gaijin. The kids didn’t really get why I wasn’t speaking much, instead just nodding into the camera, even though they were told why beforehand. Andrea explained to them that what I was doing, talking on the train, was very rude. I felt like I wasn’t offensive, but she was probably right, and I shouldn’t have tried for the FaceTime call. Still, I felt for the kids — this was the longest time I’d ever been away.
I got to the station in time to catch my bus, but I was looking for the Jojetsu bus specifically instead of just the number 12. Well, I missed that bus and had to wait a half hour for the next one. Had I known that’s how things were going to unfold, it would have been an ideal time for a FaceTime call. C’est la vie.
Once at the onsen, I discovered they have a lovely Indian restaurant and indulged in a gourmet chicken masala with giant naan bread.
The pristine gardens outside the actual hot springs foreshadowed the care and attention to detail inside.
The natural hot springs offered a tranquil, warm repose. I worried I might feel awkward given that onsen are a clothes-free experience, but men and women are separated, and it really wasn’t a big deal.
Eating at a ramen restaurant that night checked off one of my Japan bucket list items. I ordered the “All white” which I guess is just noodles, onions, a boiled egg, and some pork slices — yes, all white.1
April needed to run some errands after supper, so Dave, the kids, and I walked back without her, stopping to spend some time at a public playground we came across along the way.
Dave and I each attempted an L-pose while the kids played on the jungle gym nearby.
- The soup also included a few sheets of (not white) nori (seaweed paper).[↩]