The Way of the Onsen

For most of us, colder weather has set in, and it seems like an awfully long time until spring! What better way to beat the chill than a holiday escape that not only warms your bones, but improves your health as well?

Beneath the ground, heat from the Earth’s core comes into contact with ground water. The scalding water works its way upward, warming rocks and soil until collecting in the pores of the earth, forming geothermal hot springs. Hot springs have been praised for their comfort and health benefits – mostly due to their high mineral content – for hundreds of years and have received millions of visitors around the globe since ancient history.

What are the benefits?

- opening peripheral blood vessels which helps to improve circulation to the body’s extremities

- eliminating toxins while increasing metabolism and absorption of essential minerals

- steam bathing allows for a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands

- increased body temperature helps kill harmful germs and viruses

- soaking in warm water has proven to provide relief from arthritis, spine disease, disk problems, stenosis, circulation problems, asthma, and chronic bronchitis

Choosing your hot springs destination can be a daunting task – there are hundreds scattered around the globe, each with their unique style and atmosphere. For now, we’ve picked a few of our favorites:

- For those dreaming of a European Christmas, check out the Szechenyi Baths in Budapest. Once upon a time, Budapest was called Ak-ink, or “Abundant Water,” and has been celebrated for its curative baths since Roman times. The Szechenyi Baths are an enormous, sprawling neo-Baroque complex located in the middle of City Park, housing 12 indoor and outdoor pools of different size, temperature, and mineral content, as well saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, and a spa. Locals and tourists alike can be found lazing about in the steamy waters year-round, swimming, playing, and chatting.

- Heart set on a tropical destination? Cruise on over to Hot Water Beach in Waikato, New Zealand – and bring a shovel! Located just south of the North Island’s Mercury Bay, for two hours before and after low tide, your hand-dug pool will fill with spring-fed water laced with calcium, magnesium, potassium, silica, and fluorine at a scalding 147°F (use regular ocean water to lower the temperature). Take some time to relax between trips to the warm summer waters of the Pacific Ocean – just a stone’s throw away – or watch the sun set from your private, sandy tub. At the end of the evening, the incoming tides wash the sand back into the holes, erasing the evidence.

- If the family would like to play it a little closer to home this year, nothing beats the remote beauty of Dunton Hot Springs in Dolores, Colorado. Originally used an oasis by weary Ute Indians, and then later by American miners, Dunton offers the perfect blend of a luxurious, all-inclusive resort experience with an intimate commune with nature under an open sky. Dunton is a perfectly restored ghost town nestled into the San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies that blends five-star accommodations with the natural architecture, saloon and all. Spend your time soaking for hours on end, or partake in numerous winter activities that include helicopter skiing, snowshoeing, fly-fishing, and more.

- For families with younger children or large groups, travel south to The Springs Resort & Spa in Costa Rica. The Springs is an oasis straight out of Jurassic Park, situated outside of La Fortuna on a shared ridge with the Arenal Volcano. The volcanic activity provides the heat for the natural mineral springs, which The Springs pipes into several pools and natural waterfalls throughout the resort. Due to a naturally high chlorinate content, these springs have the benefit of being organically sanitized. In addition to a whole slew of tropical activities and adventures, The Springs also operates a preserve for Costa Rican wildlife, including pumas, ocelots, monkeys, and birds – the nature-lover’s dream come true!

- Last, but not least, for all those in search of a truly authentic hot springs experience from the masters, your destination is Gora Kadan outside Tokyo in the Hakone National Park. While hot springs exist around the world, Japan is a particular hot spot for “onsen.” A Western-friendly traditional ryokan, Gora Kadan offers complete cultural immersion in an unparalleled atmosphere of luxury and relaxation. Rice-paper doors, tatami mat floors, authentic wood architecture, and open-air tubs are but a few details that comprises this gem. If your family is in the mood for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Gora Kadan will not disappoint.