Experience Japanese Hot Springs From the Comfort of Your Bathtub
These bath accessories are inspired by—and sometimes directly sourced from—the mineral-rich onsen, or hot springs, of Japan’s mountain and forest regions.
By Emily Jiang
January 7, 2022
3 minute read
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In the Mount Nyuto forest in Japan’s Akita prefecture, a certain smell pervades the air. It’s an enigmatic concoction of earthen minerals, fresh water, and steam that rises from the area’s hot springs, or onsen, and that can induce an almost instant mental calm. The natural phenomena, found in locales with geothermal energy beneath their terrains, are also known for their skin-enhancing effects: Silica and the mineral content of sulfur provide a soothing sensation and can even be used to treat topical conditions such as psoriasis, acne, and eczema. These myriad benefits prompted some companies to create bath accessories that use the hot springs not only as olfactory inspiration, but sometimes as the direct source material for the products themselves.
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