What's Behind the Japanese Bath — and Why It Feels So Good

An invitation to discover the philosophy behind onsen and their impact on body and mind.

Imagine a place where bathing is more than just cleaning—it's a pause, a moment of silence, and gratitude.
In Japan, the act of immersing oneself in hot springs has become an age-old ritual of healing and reconnection.
Nestled among volcanic mountains and with steam rising from the rocks, the onsen (natural hot springs) and sento (public baths) reveal a culture that has transformed water into a language of well-being.

But what lies behind this seemingly simple custom—and why does it do so much good?

Where the Earth Breathes

Japan is an archipelago of fire and water.
The force of the volcanoes heats thousands of springs, giving rise to more than 25,000 onsen scattered throughout the country.
Since ancient times, these mineral-rich waters have been believed to possess therapeutic powers: relieving pain, calming the mind, and renewing the body's energy.

The stories about their origins are as symbolic as the sources themselves.
It is said that wounded herons would plunge into the waters and emerge healed, and that the gods of fire and the mountain bestowed upon them the gift of regeneration.
Bathing, then, is accepting nature's invitation to replenish oneself—inside and out.

Purification and Presence

The Japanese bath doesn't begin inside the water, but before it.
Before entering the onsen, each person washes themselves carefully and silently.
This moment is an essential part of the ritual: it symbolizes detachment from external things — dust, haste, worries — so that one can then enter the sacred space clean.

For the Japanese, bathing is a form of spiritual purification.
Since the 8th century, monks and emperors practiced "devotional bathing," believing that cleansing the body also prepared the soul for balance.
There, water is more than just a substance: it is the boundary between the world and the self.