Kobe and Arima Onsen

I've been in Japan for just over a week and I'm finally going to write about Kobe and Arima Onsen.

This part of my trip was the most relaxing and indulging experience so far. We stayed in a secretive spot at a luxury hotel. It could not have gotten better.

We spent the beginning of the day with Mao's sister in Kobe checking out the town, getting some food, and shopping. Kobe is 30 to 40 mins from Himeji by train and it is a really cool spot to check out.

Ironically, we went to China town in Kobe to get some food. It's not like real Chinese food, or else I wouldn't have liked it. They have some good cheap food here. 

A lot of Christmas decorations to put up in this one.

A very Chinese element in Chinatown. I was looking for a garbage can to put my ramen bowl in (because Japan ironically doesn't have many garbage bins around compared to Canada, but yet it is way cleaner and you hardly ever see garbage on the ground). I tried to put it in the garbage bin of another vendor and they were not having it. If you didn't buy it there, you couldn't throw it away there. That makes sense right, specially when you don't really give a damn about the country you're doing business in... But then again, Chinese are not very well known for loving the environment are they?

We went to this big department store called Loft. Huge place, with a lot of different practical things. I really liked this massage cushion you use while you sit on your couch. It turns your normal couch into a massage chair. It was only about $80 CND. If I had room I would take three home. Maybe I still will. We stopped by Loft on our way back home from Arima Onsen and I bought some Omiyage(gifts) for some people back home. I also bought Japanese calligraphy ink pens. Not the metal ones but the brush ones. What a genius invention. My writing finally looks authentic and I can practice writing Kanji for fun now. I'm going to have to buy a bunch more of these to take home.

On our way to Arima Onsen.

Arima Onsen is situated in the hills about 30 minutes outside of Kobe. It is accessible by train. 

More remote area. Train was kind of dead.

Arima

Location of original Onsen

Part of the original Onsen of which water is pumped to all hotels in area.

Arima Onsen apparently has a history of over a thousand years. It is one of Japan's oldest hot springs. Our hotel was fucking amazing. I had never felt so welcome at a hotel in my life. We stayed for one night and were thoroughly pleased and satisfied with the whole experience. They greeted us with plum tea (with gold flakes in the tea) and Mochi(soft rice taffy), sat us down comfortably and introduced the whole hotel. We were given a choice of when to have dinner prepared for us, when to reserve a private Onsen session, and when to have breakfast the next day. Superb service the whole time. The name of the hotel was Taketoritei. I don't care if the room smells like smoke so I had nothing to complain about in that regard. I felt like a true guest the whole time. When they shuttle guests down to the station, hotel staff stand outside on the street, wave and bow as we are driven away. Now THAT is service.
It was the most relaxing experience. I didn't believe that Onsen has any medicinal or therapeutic applications until I came back to the room after two sessions of Onsen. I was knocked out. I couldn't move. I just came through the door, fell onto the futon and was out. I actually felt kind of sick from it. Maybe I overdid it, but it showed me that it had a definite effect on my body. I was excited to take video of beer from a vending machine for Roosh but I just couldn't stay awake.

They had a public and private Onsen. We bought a "couples" package so we were able to reserve a 45 minute private session. This hotel offered two types of Onsen, "Gold and Silver". I have no idea what it means but it looks like one has a high iron content and the other who knows.

When you go to an Onsen you have to go naked, even at the public one. It really makes you feel comfortable with your body, I have no idea why. But I came out of there really enjoying myself. You get naked in the change room, go to the washing area and wash up, soap and all. I really felt like a man. I'm sitting there butt-naked, belly sticking out, and lathering my body up like I had just discovered water. I've been gaining weight for the last year now and I really just enjoyed it in that moment. It's just nice to be your naked natural self among other naked natural selves. You are kind of equal to everyone in the room. I didn't find it uncomfortable at all. It was really fun to just bear it all, and hid nothing. I recommend everyone do it.

I'm glad we took to the Onsen after dinner, or else I wouldn't have been able to get through it. Dinner lasted two hours. It was a full course Japanese meal.

Look at that marble!

Me. Feeling Fuckin' Triumphant!

I know Anthony Bourdain wasn't impressed by Kobe beef, but this was the best tasting beef I've ever had. It's way better than having a steak go cold before you've eaten half of it. It's eaten hot off your personal grill, into your mouth and in your belly!

Me. Fuckin' Triumphant II

Miso soup and rice came at the end! You don't have a Japanese meal without Miso soup and Rice.

dessert!

So like I said, I went to bed knocked out by the Onsen, and woke up briefly because Mao was trying to get me to brush my teeth or something. My body felt weird... Like my skin was resonating and vibrating. It felt like my veins were opening in places I didn't know I had veins and blood was there for the first time. I felt kind of sick, I couldn't get up so I slept, and wow that was a good sleep. The next morning my body was aching. So much muscle tension. I have no idea what was going on, but it was clear the Onsen was doing something. That morning we did another Onsen session and I felt a little tired afterward but it soon went away. The following day back in Himeji all the muscle tension was pretty much gone.

I love going to secretive places. It's a great feeling to know you're somewhere remote and no one can find you. Arima Onsen was one of those times I will remember.

Look they dress you up in Samurai stuff too! Nah, it's just Yugata, traditional nightwear.

Oh Japanese toilets are the best. A lot of places have pimped-out toilets. The one at the hotel had a seat temperature setting so you don't sit down on a cold toilet seat. Three settings for washing, front(for women) and rear, jet spray and tinkle. Makes washing your oshiri(bum) very easy for FOBS!! Anyone who uses aaftaabeh knows what I'm talking about. The aim is perfect. This topped my aaftaabeh experience so far, ever! Sorry, no picture.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!