3 Japanese Hobbies Everyone Should Try!

Everyone needs a hobby. And as my time living in Japan increases, I feel that I'm letting go of my Brazilian side more and more and creating more and more Japanese customs. This includes giving up watching TV, playing football/soccer and spending hours on social media making fun. I started to try Japanese hobbies, I came to love reading books and even practicing the art of meditation.

But there are 3 unique Japan hobbies that stole my heart. I decided to put them in a video, hope you like it.

As said in the video, there were problems with the camera, large parts were lost. But to make up for it, I'll tell you about my first time at the Onsen and then show pictures of the places I mentioned.

My first time at Onsen

I had a pain in my back because I had spent the whole week sitting up studying for a proficiency test. A Japanese friend along with a Brazilian called me to go to Onsen, they said they would help. I confess that I'm not a fan of going to the doctor and taking medicine, but the pain was bothering me and I decided to try it.

As soon as we entered, I smelled a very pleasant scent of fragrant incense right at the entrance. Which made me unconsciously smile, we kicked off our shoes and went inside. So far so good, the thud came when we entered the locker room. Full of naked men! I never imagined that I would feel so uncomfortable in front of so many men!

But I had already paid, so I got it into my head that I was going to get in anyway! lucky for me, I'm practically blind, so I just took off my glasses so I couldn't see that scene and did my best not to bump into someone.

Entering the hot springs area, I went to take a shower. And so far so good. Then I went into a bath with the water at 38º, very pleasant. There was a whirlpool and I put it in my head that I was going to stay there with my eyes closed waiting for the pain relief to come.

After 10 minutes, my friend tells me to go into a bathtub that was in the corner of the bathing area. He said that there I would find relief. Naive and unable to read anything, I got into the bathtub, as I sat down I screamed: “Ahhh!” and jumped out of the bathtub.

While I couldn't understand, my friend laughing explains to me that bathtub massages using electric pulses, that is, A BATHTUB THAT SHOCKS!

Old people like these bathtubs and I don't know why. I tried to stay 1 minute and thought I was going to die. My organs seemed to twitch inside.

After this initial struggle, and 30 minutes of pure shame, I started to try the baths, then I went outside. And then I saw that there is nothing as relaxing as Onsen here in Japan. The outdoor areas are usually in the middle of the bush and the landscape is beautiful. Great for meditation and relaxation.

3 Japanese Hobbies Everyone Should Try!

The ambient temperature was 6º, but inside some pools the temperature was 43º, which made the experience even more interesting. Feeling cold wind on your face and still sweating from the heat is a lot of fun.

Then it was just a case of rinsing, drying, stretching and sleeping like a baby because my back pain was gone!

What about Karaoke and Spocha?

The onsen experience is one of the most exciting things any Western person can have in Japan. Now, in the case of Karaoke and Spocha, these are things that we already have a brief knowledge of.

3 Japanese Hobbies Everyone Should Try!

In the case of Karaoke in Japan, you can sing with friends, have unlimited drinks, choose a multitude of songs and stay in rooms of different sizes.

In the case of Spocha, the entertainment options are endless, so we have already written an article on this subject that you can read clicking here.

Thanks for reading and until next time. Feel free to make requests and suggestions.

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