My Hokkaido Journey: Naked.
Gomen'nasai,
Did the title catch your attention?
Was i really naked?
Yes, i was fully naked.
Why?
...
Lake Toya
An interesting fact about this lake is that it is ice-free (it never freezes despite the cold). It is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Our bus stopped here and although i don't favour lakes, i enjoyed the short time at this lake.
Mount Showa-Shinzan
Also located in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park is this volcanic lava dome with observable active fuming.
Bear Ranch
Just across the Mount Showa-Shinzan is this Bear Ranch. There were many Hokkaido brown bears, also known as Ussuri brown bears, in separate enclosures. I was told that when the bear raised one hand, the bear is asking for food. So i bought biscuits to feed the bears.
Sometimes i miss my time volunteering at the zoo.
Mount Usu (Usuzan)
Located next to the Bear Ranch is this stratovolcano which last erupted in 2000. We took a ropeway up to the top of Mount Usu and were welcomed by strong gusts of wind. We braced the cold and walked to the observatory deck where we could have a bird's eye view of Lake Toya and the Pacific. There is another observatory deck at the outer rim of crater but due to weather conditions, we were advised not to go there.
Hell Valley (Jigokudani)
Still in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, this place is aptly named so as thousands of years ago, Mount Kuttara erupted, creating a large crater with hot steam vents, now pungent you would have noticed from a distance. Reminds me of the Geothermal Valley in Taiwan but without the water.
Mahoroba Onsen Resort
Noboribetsu is Hokkaido's largest hot spring destination, also within the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and here was where we spent a night.
You would have guessed by now the reason for my nakedness-for an onsen experience. Onsen refers to hot springs, usually including bathing facilities or inns developed around the hot spring. Attire is the birthday suit. Upon checking in to our rooms, we changed into yukata, brought our bath and face towels from the room and headed to the onsen. There are separate public baths for male and female, on different levels.
I admit- the thought of it feels awkward at first (some even hesitant to try but our guide encouraged at least to go for it once) but if you focus on going there to relax in the hot spring and nothing else, it becomes normal. After all, those around you have what you have. I even recalled reading some Doraemon comics where the characters visited the onsen and how they looked similar.
You keep your clothes and bath towel in the available baskets. Take only the face towel (where you want to cover depends on you) and bathe at the stool before entering the pools. I remembered to rinse the stool before i sat. When clean, i selected which pool, slowly dipped myself in to shoulder level, placed my face towel on top of my head, and relaxed.
I moved from one pool to another, trying the various types. There was a pool with slide too and i sat on it. Quite fast (and painful actually) as i crashed into the hot water. It is recommended to be in the hot spring for about ten minutes; after that, i took bath. You could go for round two then. We had dinner after, walked its demon-themed street outside and returned to sleep on our futons.
I woke up early the next day for another relaxing time at the onsen; this time, for the outdoor. As the door opened, it was so cold i quickly rushed into any of the pools. This onsen experience made me feel Japanese that i wore the yukata to breakfast too!
Shikotsu-Toya National Park is a worthy place of visit and an onsen experience is one you should never miss on any trip to Japan. Overcome the awkwardness and you'll enjoy the natural hot spring giving your entire body a nice, soothing spa.
.
My Hokkaido Journey: Wack Snow
My Hokkaido Journey: Naked.
My Hokkaido Journey: A Moment Like This
Did the title catch your attention?
Was i really naked?
Yes, i was fully naked.
Why?
...
Lake Toya
An interesting fact about this lake is that it is ice-free (it never freezes despite the cold). It is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Our bus stopped here and although i don't favour lakes, i enjoyed the short time at this lake.
Posing with the lake behind.
Close-up shot.
Just chilling by the lake.
Mount Showa-Shinzan
Also located in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park is this volcanic lava dome with observable active fuming.
Delicious melon ice cream against the fuming Mount Showa-Shinzan behind.
We had lunch nearby; authentic tempura.
Nugget? Yummy chicken kaarage. And pork slices to cook in the boiling hot pot.
Bear Ranch
Just across the Mount Showa-Shinzan is this Bear Ranch. There were many Hokkaido brown bears, also known as Ussuri brown bears, in separate enclosures. I was told that when the bear raised one hand, the bear is asking for food. So i bought biscuits to feed the bears.
Bear-y good time!
One is asking for food, one looks at me, one looks away.
So many in one place. One conquered the slide.
Cuteness overload.
Sometimes i miss my time volunteering at the zoo.
Mount Usu (Usuzan)
Located next to the Bear Ranch is this stratovolcano which last erupted in 2000. We took a ropeway up to the top of Mount Usu and were welcomed by strong gusts of wind. We braced the cold and walked to the observatory deck where we could have a bird's eye view of Lake Toya and the Pacific. There is another observatory deck at the outer rim of crater but due to weather conditions, we were advised not to go there.
On the ropeway, looking at the Mount Showa-Shinzan and a red bridge below.
Scenic view at the top of Usuzan.
Splendid view of Lake Toya...
... township and the Pacific.
There was a video playing in the terminal that shows the history of the mount. We watched it before descending via the ropeway.
Hell Valley (Jigokudani)
Still in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, this place is aptly named so as thousands of years ago, Mount Kuttara erupted, creating a large crater with hot steam vents, now pungent you would have noticed from a distance. Reminds me of the Geothermal Valley in Taiwan but without the water.
Fuming grounds.
A shot with it.
Fitting, interesting toilet signs.
This sudden flock of birds lent a spooky atmosphere of the Hell Valley.
Mahoroba Onsen Resort
Noboribetsu is Hokkaido's largest hot spring destination, also within the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and here was where we spent a night.
Tatami room with low table, before being moved over for the futon.
You would have guessed by now the reason for my nakedness-for an onsen experience. Onsen refers to hot springs, usually including bathing facilities or inns developed around the hot spring. Attire is the birthday suit. Upon checking in to our rooms, we changed into yukata, brought our bath and face towels from the room and headed to the onsen. There are separate public baths for male and female, on different levels.
Me in yukata.
Sorry to disappoint.
No naked photos here.
I admit- the thought of it feels awkward at first (some even hesitant to try but our guide encouraged at least to go for it once) but if you focus on going there to relax in the hot spring and nothing else, it becomes normal. After all, those around you have what you have. I even recalled reading some Doraemon comics where the characters visited the onsen and how they looked similar.
You keep your clothes and bath towel in the available baskets. Take only the face towel (where you want to cover depends on you) and bathe at the stool before entering the pools. I remembered to rinse the stool before i sat. When clean, i selected which pool, slowly dipped myself in to shoulder level, placed my face towel on top of my head, and relaxed.
I moved from one pool to another, trying the various types. There was a pool with slide too and i sat on it. Quite fast (and painful actually) as i crashed into the hot water. It is recommended to be in the hot spring for about ten minutes; after that, i took bath. You could go for round two then. We had dinner after, walked its demon-themed street outside and returned to sleep on our futons.
Hokkaido is famous for milk too. This roll was delectable!
The puffs may look innocent but they were appetizing. Two-two for desserts!
At the scallop station, watching her flipped the scallops to cook evenly.
Found this on the street.
Postcard from Hell (Valley)?
I woke up early the next day for another relaxing time at the onsen; this time, for the outdoor. As the door opened, it was so cold i quickly rushed into any of the pools. This onsen experience made me feel Japanese that i wore the yukata to breakfast too!
Shikotsu-Toya National Park is a worthy place of visit and an onsen experience is one you should never miss on any trip to Japan. Overcome the awkwardness and you'll enjoy the natural hot spring giving your entire body a nice, soothing spa.
.
My Hokkaido Journey: Wack Snow
My Hokkaido Journey: Naked.
My Hokkaido Journey: A Moment Like This
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