Spa Therapies Of Japan
Baths:
Baths play a central role in the health regime of all Japanese. Cleansing the spirit and warding off disease are the main benefits thought to be derived from some 2500 onsens or hot spring baths spotted throughout the islands. The term ‘onsen‘ can refer to a single bathing facility, or to an entire town or hot spring area. Onsens range in size from small tubs for one person to enormous pools that can accomodate over 100bathers. Baths are traditionally measured in tatami mats, a traditional Japanese unit based on the size of springs in Japan, and these include uchi-buros (indoor baths), rotenburos (outdoor baths) and mushi-yus (steam baths). In the Japanese style of bathing, your body is washed and scrubbed clean before entering the bath. Sit on one of the stools provided, rub soap into your tenugui, a small towelling cloth, and soap yourself all over. This leaves the skin soft, smooth and invigorated as dead cells are removed and the blood circulation stimulated. Briskly rinse off the soap before immersing yourself in the bath to enjoy a relaxing soak. Hot baths are believed to have remedial qualities because they often contain essential minerals that rejuvenate and promote cures. Bathing in mineral-enhanced waters is believed to cure illnesses such as nervous disorders, bad circulation, skin irritations, aches and fatigue.
Seasonal Baths: The Japanese enjoy different ‘bath flavours’ in different seasons. Mandarin orange peel baths are used in the late autumn while warming ginger baths are used in winter.
Autumn Or Winter Bath: Put Mandarin orange peel or freshly chopped ginger into little muslin bags and toss them into your bath to infuse the water with thier scent and healing properties. This aromatic bath aids digestion and clears phlegm.
