Onsen (温泉)

We Japanese love bathing in hot spring; it called "Onsen (温泉)".
Although it is common culture especially among elder people, I love it. When I was an engineer, the laboratory was located in rural area. There are no exciting activity around there and I had nothing to do on weekend without enjoying Onsen. Fortunately, there were good hot springs around the town the laboratory located. I enjoyed it every weekend and finally I loved it. After resigning of the job, I went all over Japan to enjoy bathing in hot springs. I thought I went to at least 40-50 hot springs in Japan. When I enjoying it at Shirahama Onsen, Wakayama (白浜温泉, 和歌山県), I met a professional commentariat. He said that bathing in hot spring was not Japanese unique culture, there were many hot spring all over the world and foreign people enjoy it too, although we Japanese often thought that bathing in hot spring was Japanese unique culture. I was surprised to hear that and I was interested in hot springs in abroad. Last year, I went to Island to attend an academic meeting. I knew that there were many hot springs in Island and they enjoy bathing in it. So I tried enjoying it in "Blue Lagoon" and "Landmannalaugar". I enjoyed chatting many people who came from various countries and I confirmed that not only Japanese but also many people loves it. I was more interested in bathing in hot springs in various countries. The other day, I visited Spain to meet my friends. Then, I visited four hot springs druing the trip; one was located in Spain (Caldes de Montbui) the others were located in France (Dorres, Llo, and St Thomas les bains). I met many peoples who love bathing in hot spring and the quality of water in hot spring was similar to one in Japan. Many Japanese must love it. I had confirmed that bathing in hot spring was not Japanese unique culture but it must be universal culture of us human.