Turn up the heat with 56.5ºC natural spring water drawn from the depts of Mt. Rokko
From onsens to sentos, Japan’s long association with cleansing rituals have evolved into a modern renowned authentic Japanese cultural experience. Onsens are baths that use natural hot springs for their water. Different locations have different mineral composition, affecting the bathing experience in a number of ways. Many people believe various types of mineral waters have a therapeutic effect on the body. For thousands of years it has been used as healing retreat by emperors, feudal lords, Buddhist monks, geisha as well as regular folk. This was an especially treasured experience for me as a first timer of this time honoured tradition.
In the guest room, there are two kinds of slippers - one used in the room and the other is designed for guests to wear exclusively on the hot spring floor. On one floor, there are special hot spring robes only to be worn to the hot spring floor, not to be mistaken or mixed with the room bath robes meant to only be used in the room.
The 3rd floor Kobe Sheraton Hot Springs space includes an area for yoga, a lounge with seating and a bar, a private hot spring room and separate hot springs for men and women. But to be respectful and culturally sensitive, there are some traditions that you should know before you dip in.
1. Firstly wash in the shower area until there is no residual foam on your body. It is recommended save hair washing for after the Onsen so as to prevent any discomfort from the cold outside.
2. Guests must bath naked - without a bathing suit or any towel touching the spring waters.
3. Keep hair out of water (You may use a towel or shower cap).
4. To maintain the hygiene of the springs, soaking your face, scrubbing or exfoliating your body after soaking is forbidden.
5. You must wear the garments or robes provided by the hotel (this includes rest areas - you can't just walk around with towels).
6. Use of electronic devices in the bathing area, lockers and hair blowing areas are forbidden - to respect the privacy and relaxation of others.
7. Take a shower after soaking to rinse off the mineral residue on the skin.
8. Do not enter this Onsen with visible tattoos (there are other tattoo friendly Onsens in Japan).
9. Do not swim in the pool.
10. Do not eat or drink in the Onsen area.
Washing for the first time gave me a sense of ritual! After storing personal items in the locker you must take everything off your body. I saw in the washing area, the guests used only a small towel to cover their modesty. With no place for a full sized towel, we all had a small stool and a wooden tub. I had never seen a bath stool before, one of many unique feature of the Onsen, as much ritual as it is simply a practice for hygiene. In the Western world, we consider the bathtub the place where you go to get clean, but for the Japanese, the tub is only for soaking in hot water. You’re supposed to be clean already before getting in the tub or community bath because it’s shared with others. Sitting on the stool gives you more time to wash every inch of your body before stepping into the water.
It was unusually freeing to take nothing with me! The essentials like bath milk, shampoo, and makeup remover are provided in addition to some special products for washing and exfoliating in the shower. The space to blow dry your hair is loaded with goodies like hair care lotions, body milk and facial lotion. Because of my skin condition, I need to apply lotions in a few layers! To help with capturing the hydration, I put on one of the masks provided following the bath. To my surprise, in the second and third days after soaking and maintenance, I saw a noticeable improvement to my skin’s vitality and texture!
In addition to the springs there is also a sauna with loungers you may enjoy. Be careful not to stay too long! As no photos are allowed, here are some photos from the official website.
Rest areas with black bean water, hydration packs, body fat meter and a blood pressure monitor. Beyond the lounge area, there are black bean water and hydration packs to enjoy and some medical equipment to check out. If you feel faint or too hot in the hot spring, make sure to remove yourself from danger. On my last visit to the Onsen, a guest fell to the ground without warning. Although she was only unconscious for a moment, she was still quite faint and only improved after she sat down and hydrated. Thankfully the collision and injury to the body was minimal as she did not strike any objects.
For a particularly special trip, you may choose the Sheraton Kobe Hot Spring Suite, which can reach the lounge area directly. If you want a more private space or a family bath, the hotel also has a separate Onsen room. To plan ahead, you may make same-day reservations at the counter in the lounge area or book one day in advance.
Another surprise to me are Japan’s women-only trains and the rooms on women-only floors in Sheraton Kobe that are accessible only by card. On the women only floor, there are public-use salons and elevators to conveniently access the hot spring area.
