The Backpack Adventures

Day 16  June 1 , 2018 Gifu - Nagano Road Trip Day 2 A pleasant morning to you my dear reader, today is the second day of our Gifu -Nagano Trip. It is also our 16th day in the  Land of the Rising Sun . Early morning Onsen dip at Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan Today, we plan to explore Takayama City in the morning and then Kamikochi in the afternoon. However, before everything else, I made sure to wake up very early to take one final dip at Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan 's onsen because I know that I won't have a chance to do it later as we'd only eat our complimentary breakfast before finally checking out of our ryokan.  Strictly NO TATTOOs! Read more about Onsen Etiquette HERE . Time to take a dip! Unlike last night, I already overcame my embarrassment of being naked in an onsen. I can now walk proudly in front of other men in my birthday suit. How did I do it? I bombarded my head with the idea that these guys do not know who I am and vice versa. I finis...

Japan is a country that is abundant with hot springs which are locally called onsen. These are commonly found in hotels, spas, public baths, and traditional Japanese inns called ryokans. There are even onsen resort towns found all around the country like Arima, Beppu, Hakone, Yufuin, Kusatsu, and many more. First Timer's Guide to the Japanese Onsen What sets the Japanese onsen apart from the hot springs of other countries are the traditions that surround it. Although breaking these traditions won't land you to jail, it would most likely gain you the irk of locals or worse would get you kicked out of the establishment.  Got this from the guidebook of Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan This article is written so that you would be aware of some of the most common but important traditions before taking that first time dip in an onsen. 1. Remove what should be removed Before entering the changing room of an onsen establishment, make sure to remove your footwear first and ...

Located at 1 Chome-5 Honmachi, Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture,  Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan is one of the best traditional Japanese Inns or ryokan in the city.  Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan Details Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan offers its guests an authentic Japanese experience like a night in a traditional Japanese-style room,  eating an exquisite Japanese kaiseki cuisine, and dipping in an onsen.  Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan - Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan reception area Looks like a shrine with plenty of sarubobo dolls The hallway outside our room Speaking of its Japanese-style rooms, most of Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan 's rooms have a view of the Miyagawa River . The river gives these rooms a relaxing natural flowing water sound which for some helps them get a good night's sleep. Some rooms, on the other hand, have great views of the historic Takayama Jinya which is one of the city's historic landmarks. Our Japanes...