National Foundation Day – Kenkoku Kinen-no-hi 建国記念日or 建国記念の日
Early Saturday morning a group of us, 17 Friends in all, left on the yearly National Foundation Day long weekend Onsen trip. This years destination was Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture. Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japans most famous hot spring resorts, blessed with large volumes of high quality hot spring water, said to cure every illness but lovesickness …. a big claim and i’m sure some believe it.
Regardless of the Onsen, weekends away like this consist of pretty much lots of the same … drinking, eating and relaxing in the Hot Springs. This trip, after a good 4+ hour bus ride and my fair share of beer, i managed to get out and about for a few photo opportunities.
Literally ever few metres as we got closer to the town square the locals were offering tasty treats, this particular one is Manju.
Find out where Kusatsu Onsen is on a Map Of Japan
Manjū (饅頭) is a popular traditional Japanese confection. There are many varieties of manjū, but most have an outside made from flour, rice powder and buckwheat and a filling of an (red bean paste), made from boiled azuki beans and sugar. They are boiled together again and kneaded. There are several varieties of bean paste used including koshian, tsubuan, and tsubushian
A short walk from our accomodation we found lots of the natural streams and lakes that feed the baths everyone loves so much. The water is exceptionally clear and every bit as hot as the steam suggests.
At first i didn’t realise what was going on here, then on closer inspection i noticed they were boiling eggs in the hot water and selling them to passers by for a tidy profit.
A very high sulphur content in the water here, as i found out later when i got some in my eyes.
After a few hours bathing and relaxing it was time to head to dinner with the rest of my group.
Another party enjoying the long weekend at Kusatsu Onsen was a group of 70 interesting individuals. As the night rolls on the individual room parties spill into each other and everyone becomes Friends. Being only 1 of 2 gaijin at the resort we generally attract some attention … funnily enough this trip we weren’t the novelty we often are.
A little Karaoke and a little whipping, all good clean fun.
It takes all sorts and this party certainly had a good selection, this one lass insisted on a photo, how could i refuse.
Sunday morning and with a few hours to kill before the ride home we braved the snowy morning and head down for a few beers and some lunch. This young fella was rugged up head to toe in a sheep skin jump suit.
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great pictures of the snow and the hot springs.
I don’t mean to be rude, but why do so many of those females at the party look like men?
They are men, it was a group of 70 transvestives, transexuals from Yokohama on their bi-annual onsen trip. This group was partying in the room next to us, later in the night though the parties joined together, as most throughout the onsen do.
oooh, you weren’t joking about all the parties turning into one!
wow.. thanks for taking us to a virtual tour to Kusatsu Onsen. the pictures looks very interesting but i’m a little bothered with the whipping part. what is that for? and the “lady” beside you.. hmmn.. is he or a she?
It’s most definately a ‘HE’ … as were the majority of the others in that group.
opps.. i sound confusing.. let me just rephrase my question.. the person beside you is a homosexual, right? i’m not against them or what but i’m just curious.
Duck, good to see that your rugged good looks and sparkling personality attracts more than just the ladies, mate.
There were a lot of funny sorts in that group Motts, will send a few more pics your way on the mail this morning!
Um I was a lil confused at first I was like WTF? Those look like dudes or extremely homely women? yikes some great piccies too!~ I stumbled you!
ta
hb~
Thanks for the Stumble HB, sorry for the late reply … you got caught up in the spam folder.
oh wow! very interesting
I’m still regretting not going into the hot springs area in one of my hotels when I was in Japan. I guess I was way too shy because people have to walk around naked
-Mike
Hot springs are a great way to unwind. As for nudity, i probably would have been a bit shy at your age too Mike …. as i got a bit older and realised everyone has the same bits, just different sizes, i have no problem getting my kit off in front of others.
now walking naked in front of strangers is something i could never do -_-
No Onsen trips for you when you come to Japan then! ….. You carry a small towel for modesty so it’s not all that bad.
Yeah man, you have to get naked when you enter the onsen. I felt weird the first time I went, but you get used to it. Usually I am the only foreigner in there though. The older dudes always like chatting me up. In Dogo Onsen, this old guy was talking to me about the Japan-US alliance. He felt that America is too aggressive and that Japan will push back. I just listened to him talk. His dialect was difficult to understand, but I got the gist of it. I’ve never been to any onsen up north. Looks like Kusatsu is next on the list!
It’s definately worth a look, the drive out the is a little long (4+ hrs) but once you’re there it’s a nice spot.
Interesting pics. These guys/girls are from Yokohama…