What if the onsen isn't something you squeeze into a busy Japan itinerary, but a highlight of the trip itself?

In this episode, Ari sits down with longtime friend Ken, who has spent much of his life traveling around Japan – often by car or motorcycle. After a long career in tech, Ken now has more time to explore the country and continue an ongoing search for his favorite onsen.

Ken shares what he enjoys about staying at onsen ryokan, why winter is one of his favorite times to visit and why he often spends most of his stay doing little more than soaking, eating, relaxing and doing it all over again.

Ari and Ken also talk about when driving makes sense in Japan, some of the challenges visitors should be prepared for on Japanese roads and how having a car can open up rural areas that aren't nearly as convenient to reach by train.

Plus, we cover onsen etiquette, what first-time visitors should know about public bathing and one particularly memorable lesson Ari learned at an onsen in Hakodate.

Sometimes sightseeing can wait until before check-in or after check-out. Once you're at the ryokan, the onsen might be all you need.

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro & Overview

(02:28) Meet Ken

(04:20) Driving in Japan

(12:03) Onsen Overview

(21:00) Onsen Styles & Etiquette

(29:55) Ari's Embarrassing Onsen Story

(32:34) Advice for Travelers

(38:56) Closing

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Music:

Island Travel - by Anonyment

旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory

Investor Night - by Anonyment

(all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

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