Day-Tripping to Hakone, Hakone, Japan

If you've been following my blog, you already know about my love for the healing waters of Hakone. Its natural wonders are just a stone's throw from Tokyo - all it takes is 90 minutes to transport yourself from a frenetic train platform in Shinjuku to the quiet bliss of a private onsen (hot spring) hidden in the forested hills of this mountainous little town. We recently took advantage of our close proximity with a day trip to Hakone Yuryo, a traditional countryside hot spring resort.

In addition to several large communal baths, Hakone Yuryo has 19 private open-air baths that are available for rent by the hour. Private baths are perfect for those who may be feeling a little shy about stripping down with strangers, and they're also a great option for opposite-sex couples wanting to enjoy a dip together (public baths are segregated by gender).

Sporting ink? Private hot springs are your savior. Tattoos in Japan have long been associated withyakuza (mafia) gangs, and inked patrons - including foreigners - have been banned from onsen in an effort to keep out the riffraff. Some spa facilities will allow a small tattoo if you're able to cover it with a bandage, but sleeves and other extensive artwork are a different story. Since Bandaid-ing my ribcage tattoo is out of the question, I am restricted to private hot springs. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).