5 September: Splish splash, I was taking a bath

Today is the day: it’s ladies’ day at the onsen!

The onsen must be the most perfect and wonderful Japanese invention. It’s essentially a hot, communal bath. I’ve also been told it’s a great way to meet people, which, I must say, surprises me a little. After all, you enter the bathhouse in the emperor’s best clothes. So none.

Armed with nothing but a little basket containing toiletries and a sponge, we took a seat on the low, plastic chairs and turned on the water––which was freezing. As we were the only three in there (three girls, that is; male and female onsen-users don’t mix), we just assumed that this was all part of the onsen tradition: bloody cold shower, wonderfully warm bath. As it turned out, the water just hadn’t heated up. Only about 20% of the students in Cambridge House are girls, and during the holidays, they don’t seem to bother turning on the heat until someone actually enters the bath. We also shouldn’t have splashed around in the hot bath tub or put our heads under the water––but oh well, you can’t do everything right, and sometimes it’s also just less fun. As the first soapy bubbles appeared––a complete no-no that even I knew about, we thought it best to leave. The next ladies’ day is Wednesday, and I can honestly say I cannot wait!

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for you readers, there are no pictures of the onsen.