14 Wacky Wilderness Onsen
It's been said that for a true subculture fan (in Japanese, "maniac"), the power of one's love for one's obsession is deeper than the ocean. Onsen fan and critic Isamu Gunji dove right into that ocean, risking his naked life to bring us 14 unforgettable outdoor hot springs—some of which aren't even on the map.
By AAJ Editorial TeamKawachinagano Tansansen (Osaka)
http://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/auto/auto/aa/gm/article/8/0/4/6/1/amami20446.jpg.JPG
This is a tansan-sen, or carbon dioxide hot spring, in Kawachinagano City on the southern edge of Osaka Prefecture. It seems like its existence isn't well known.
Hebi-no-Yu (Akita)
http://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/auto/auto/aa/gm/article/8/0/4/7/3/hebinoyu10593.jpg.JPG
This one's somewhat gloomy and humid. Rumor has it that snakes appear. A hot spring for the courageous!
Z-shaped Onsen (Gunma)
http://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/auto/auto/aa/gm/article/8/0/5/4/7/sirane4.jpg.JPG
This kind of open-air hot spring is rarely seen: a dip in a polymer pool. The temperature is moderate and, oddly enough, you're surrounded by wilderness.
C Onsen (Fukushima)
http://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/auto/auto/aa/gm/article/8/0/5/4/8/sukagawa2.jpg.JPG
It seems this one's on the far side of a private home in Sukagawa City in central Fukushima. He asked permission first.
D Onsen (Tohoku)
http://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/auto/auto/aa/gm/article/8/0/5/4/8/kojin2.jpg.JPG
This is just overflow from a hot spring connected to a private house. Yet the water flows out of the wall at a temperature of 50°C (122°F)! Gunji had to bring his own kiddie pool to take a dip.
