Was all fired up for going to the worlds largest (and only?) indoor beach today. Promising a constant tropical 30C temperature inside and warm, unsalted sea, with wave machine. Of course, it was bloody shut until the day after I leave Japan so had to change my plans. So instead I travelled for a total of 10 hours just to have a bath. Well, its a little more than that. Its an Onsen, and outdoor bath using water from natural hot springs. As it was sleeting in Fukuoka and bastard freezing I decided to go for it.
To be honest I was in a pretty miserable mood this morning what with the shitty weather and the disappointment of missing the indoor beach. However Im glad I made it because when I got out of the city and by the sea my mood lifted. It was a small little town and the sun was shining. The Onsen itself was at the base of this volcanic island so had to take a short ferry ride to get there. I think sometimes being in the concrete jungle of a city can get to you. I like to be able to get away and see a bit of greenary or even better, the sea as it completely lifts my mood and makes me feel a lot better.
Got to the Onsen and it was simply beautiful. A wonderful outdoor little pool carved into the rocks overlooking the sea as the sun sets and at perfect bath temperature. Bliss, and worth the trip. Unlike other Onsen, for this one you had to wear a sort of dressing gown or yukkata to wear as the Onsen is sacred and belongs to a dragon lord or something. However as you cant really tie them very tightly, when you slowly manouver and bob your way around the pool, there is a tendancy for the gown to float away from you and reveal your arse and tackle. Which Im sure the old ladies who accompanied me in the pool really enjoyed.
After seeing so many sunrises in Japan it was nice to see my first sunset. The clouds gently smuggled the sun behind them as it fought back by punching out golden arms of light. Being a bit of an old romantic (and not a new romantic) thereve been times when Ive wanted to share moments like this with someone. Oh well, Im sure Ill meet more people in more backpacker friendly countries. Heading back to Fukuoka now to try another random night out.....Im going to end up in Karaoke bar again arent I?
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