Regular things that someone does on a daily basis will be surprising for an outsider. This is what cultural difference is. Onsen(Hot Spring) is something which is quite common in Japan and is getting popular at many other places. It will definitely be very awkward for any Indian as public bath is not common in India(except during religious gathering, even there modesty becomes very important). I got a chance to experience Onsen during my resent visit to Pattaya. Overall, it is a good experience.
I came to know about this through a friend who stayed in Thailand earlier. Listening to this I thought to break my comfort zone and experience it. After a great day of time spent with elephants and learning about them, I started for Onsen in the evening. I was guided to Men's Onsen room with a Yukata, Belt, Towel and a small Towel.
I was then guided to a locker in men's Onsen. Here is the first most frightening step for any Indian. I have to undress fully and store my cloths in the locker along with Yukata, Belt and Towel(no privacy). Only things I was left with is the small towel along with my birthday suit.
The next and much needed step I have to do is thoroughly wash myself in a Japanese style sitting bath. This is needed as the Onsen's maintain pure mineral water that needs to be protected from contamination. You can understand it once you see the purity of water in the Onsen. After finishing the bath and dried myself with the small towel, I now proceeded to the actual Onsen.
I was surprised to see that there are 6 different pools of water there with different temperatures. The cold water pool has water with around 13 degrees centigrade temperature. Which I felt very cold and not able to stay for more than a minute. Similarly the hottest pool is having a temperature of 43 degrees centigrade. The temperature of rest of the pools is around 35 degrees centigrade with little difference in temperature. But, these pools are having add-ons like Jet water, Bubbles or added special minerals. In addition to the pools, there is a steam room and a sauna room. There are instructions on what is the ideal time one has to spend in which pool along with the order in which these can be used. I followed that order but maintained my own time as I am not able to spend more time in extreme temperatures.
After around 1 hour, feeling greatly relaxed I exited the pools, dried myself as much as possible with the small towel and entered the locker rooms. There I wore Yukata for the first time and headed to the relaxing room. After having a great relaxing bath and entering a peaceful relaxing room made me to fully relax and have a quick power nap.
Finally after around 2 hours, I got dressed again and exited the Onsen feeling that here is a place my money is well spent. The awkwardness of being naked won't last for even 5 minutes as no one there pays any attention towards the body of others. It helped me greatly as the Onsen I went is gender separated. I will definitely recommend anyone who is not too shy to try this. Just be sure to act normally and respect others.
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