The Onsen

by Sam

For centuries the Japanese people have liked Hot Spring (or onsen) bathing. In Japan Hot Springs (or onsen) with a temperature over 25 degrees centigrade are an onsen. Japan has hotter Hot Springs (or onsen) than the U.S.A. and European countries which is probably because of all the volcanoes there were. There are more than 2000 Hot Springs in Japan. The Hot Spring (or onsen) water comes out of the closest mountain. The water comes out of the mountain into the Hot Spring (or onsen) hot because there were so many volcanoes in Japan. The inside of the world is very hot. Warm water comes out of a hole in the world to make a Hot Spring. A Hot Spring is like an outdoor hot tub. After World War II national hot spring hospitals were built. They are used to help cure stomach complaints and skin diseases. You are not allowed to bring drinks, cigarettes, and food in the onsen. Most onsen are not open on Fridays. They can be inside or outside. More than a billion people stay at onsens each year. Reports about onsens are on the television and in magazines.

I saw snow monkeys in Japan that live in the mountains that just love to sit down in the hot water of the Hot Springs in the winter. These monkeys I saw in a monkey park. I took the bullet train (or shinkansen) to get to the park. I also had to walk up a big mountain. I had a lot of fun with my brother Joe and my friends.

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