Soaking in a traditional onsen bath is a top priority on my itinerary whenever I’ve travelled to Japan. Between sightseeing, shopping and hunting down the best ramen, udon and sushi, I take an average of 40,000 steps each day when I visit Tokyo or Osaka, so relaxing in mineral-rich steaming water before bed is a much-needed restorative ritual.

Both onsen, natural hot springs available near Japan’s volcanic areas, and sento, which are artificially heated bath facilities often found in hotels, offer a serene moment of peace and tranquility. Not just a soothing way to settle the body and mind, the waters are also rich in minerals such as iron, sodium-sulphate and sodium-chloride, thought to heal and beautify the skin. For the average Japanese person, it’s common practice to take a bath every night at home in their ofuro (or yubune, which refers to the bath with water) as an escape from the stress of everyday life.

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Seen in The Kit Chinese Edition October 2020 issue