Finding zen in a shopping mall onsen

Depending on where we are from, zen can be found in different ways.  If you are from the mountains, you may need to travel to the Himalayas.  If you grew up by a lake, it may be necessary for you to find a shimmering reflective body of water and take a solitary row.  But if you are from the suburbs, an on-sen in a shopping mall might just do the trick.

In Japan, there are on-sen complexes which are the the bathing equivalent of a multi-plex theater, where you can choose from a variety of baths to soak in.  These range from whirlpools with various built-in seating arrangements, to rotenburo, outside baths, under palm trees.  The tropical style architecture and design create a far-away resort feel.

After trying out all the baths, take your time in a relaxation room where fabrics in patterns from Southeast Asia drape over rattan armchairs and translucent curtains give semi-privacy to small rooms where you can lie down on a massage table and go into a heavenly state.

All this for 490 yen.

Sama Sama onsen in the D-Plaza Mall, Oita

If, like me, you are from the suburbs and prefer not to go too far for your nirvana, check your local listings to see if one of these complexes will be coming soon to a shopping mall near you.

JGY
Aikawarazu Life in Japan

Others Are Reading

• 
  Glory all day long, sometimes in sushi
• 
  A walk near Amaterasu
• 
  My visit to the Yasukuni Shrine
• 
  Hachiko Fever