Ooedo Onsen: Not Just For Bathing

Take step back in time and immerse yourself in the wonder of old Japan, at Ooedo Onsen Monogatari!

With a name like Ooedo Onsen Monogatari, the image of a hot spring public bath, Japanese style, comes to mind.  You are right, at least partially; Ooedo Onsen has those fully nude bathing areas, but I've never personally experienced it myself.  Despite that, I'll vouch that there is a lot to enjoy, and see, at Ooedo Onsen.

For starters, once you check in to the facility, you get to pick out a Yukata for your time here.  While perhaps not as glamourous or photogenic as a kimono, the yukata is still very much a signature Japanese garment, and much more comfortable to wear than the kimono by far.

You'll have to change out of your "civilian" clothes to get into the yukata, and if you're not sure about how to put it on, there are posters in the locker room illustrating the manner in which the yukuta should be put on, appropriately.

Once the Yukata is on... the experience is on at Ooedo Onsen!  Out of the locker room, you find yourself in an indoor, traditional Japanese village setting.  The setting is very, very nice...

...but also cool is that you find yourself surrounded by others, all wearing yukatas!  It's truly immersive, and perhaps one of the few places that you find this type of thing where you can imagine yourself walking, barefoot, in old Japan.  In the "village" you can enjoy food/drink, play games, and otherwise just soak in this unique atmosphere.

And once you're ready, there's a whole other part, with a similar yet different feel:  the outdoor foot baths, with waters warmed nicely by hot springs.  Again, here you'll find yourself in a traditional Japanese setting, but more relaxing, calming, and peaceful.  That, and the warm water on your feet/legs will make for a sublime experience and a "breather" from the hectic stresses of life.

Of course, there are other features, such as sleeping areas, lounges, the public "onsen", and massages.  If you're into that, I've only heard good things.  But if you just want to enjoy a unique atmosphere in a great setting, and perhaps pamper your feel and soul, sticking with the more "tame" areas of Ooedo Onsen is still a wonderful experience.  Especially for temporary residents, I'd recommend coming here to experience it at least once.

Recommendations:

- Ooedo Onsen is really good for any time of the year and any time of day/night; just be somewhat prepared if going there during the more chilly times (late fall, winter, early spring), as the outdoor air areas can get pretty chilly and cause you to want to hurry to the warm outdoor foot bath waters, where it's actually very pleasant.

- This attraction is also very kid friendly if you have little ones and are not going to the onsen.

- When you're changed into your yukata for your Ooedo Onsen experience, you don't need to bring money with you.  That wristband they gave you with the locker key?  You can charge your purchases to the wristband, from which you'll pay the charges when you check out.

- Don't forget to bring your camera and/or smartphone, though; many photo opportunities here and you don't want to miss those!  Because of this...

- Go with a friend or more: better photos!  Selfies might be okay if you're good at those, but much better to have someone else take the photos.  Also, you'd want someone with you to talk about and comment on how cool this place is!


Specifics:
Ooedo Onsen Monogatari
Location (Tokyo area, Odaiba):

Baseball, Unlike The Traditional American Experience

Baseball may have originated in the United States, but Japan just made the experience much more fun and enthralling!

Take me out to the old ballgame... images of peanuts, cracker jack, and beer, probably come to mind.  If you've been to a Major League baseball game, it can be fun, with the best players on the game's biggest stages.  Sure, but in Japan, the game is elevated... and by that I mean the entire package is of a higher pedigree.

Yokohama DeNA Baystars vs Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Meiji Jingu Stadium

As you might recall, my Japanese baseball story as a fan of the Yakult Swallows has roots in the kimono, so my experience in getting into this fandom, dare I say, is one of the most unique ones around.  So, as the story goes, I traded a shared kimono wearing experience for an introduction to baseball in Japan.  And on that first game, at Meiji Jingu Stadium featuring the Yakult Swallows against the Hiroshima Carp, I noticed several aspects that Japan has bettered the MLB experience in.  Since Japanese baseball always seem to have its "A-game" on no matter what the day, each aspect is highlighted accordingly:

The wise friend who introduced me to the Swallows

Nippon Ham Fighters vs Tokyo Giants at Tokyo Dome

- A musical experience, even if you don't understand the language.  And no, I'm not talking about batter walkup songs played on the stadium speakers.  Every player has a song which the fans song in unison when he steps up to bat.  Sometimes you can tell who the big star players are by how spirited the fans next to you sing the song.  For some teams/players, there is a choreographed action/dance that goes with the song as well; keep your eyes on those around you as well as on the action on the field!

- A Lucky Seven.  Before the top and bottom of the seventh inning, instead of the "seventh inning stretch", Lucky Seven is when fans for each team sing their team's theme song.  A moment to inspire the team to win, or a lone moment to feel good, depending on the game.

- A props to the fans.  Each team has a signature fan "prop", whether its banner-type towels, hand waving towels, or in the case of the Swallows, umbrellas.

- A beautiful girl serves you beer every time.  Beer girls in Japan... you might have heard of them.  They are everywhere at the stadium, and happy to pose for a pic if time/space allows.

- A game, nothing more, nothing less... but a great game.  Fans want their team to win, some more badly/desperately than others.  But here, they never seem to be overly high or low with the outcome of each game.  They come to have fun, sing along, cheer their team on, and otherwise have a great time at the ballpark.  Not to get trouble or curse/fight with others over a ball game.

- A pleasant experience, no matter your rooting interest.  Entire sections of the stadium are officially/unofficially designated for supporters of the visiting team, which makes it easy to find yourself among fans of your team.  And I have never witnessed any heckling/fighting of opposing fans in Japan ever, even if they are unable to find seats in their respective team section, which is quite the opposite compared to what I've seen/experienced in the US.

As I say (too often?), the best (and most overlooked) aspect of Japan are its people.  It's the people as a whole, not just the players on the field but the thousands more who pay to go to the game, that take the Japanese baseball experience to a higher level than that of its country of origin.  Take me out to the ballgame in Japan, any time!

Recommendations:
- Wear comfortable clothing; Japan's seats seem to be a bit smaller than the US standard, so be warned if you tend to be on the bigger size.

- Buy tickets well in advance: gone are the days when you could show up on game day/night on a whim and get tickets, as popularity of the game has skyrocketed in the past couple of years.  Some teams (notably Hiroshima, and Giants) are impossible to get tickets at if not done months in advance or even before the start of the season.

- Keep an eye on the weather, especially if attending a game outdoors (Swallows, Marines, Baystars home games in the Kanto area).  The Tokyo area gets more than its fair share of rainy evenings, which could literally put a damper on the game plan.  Be flexible, or better yet, be prepared with rain gear; one positive is that the stadium is less crowded when the rain occurs.

- If the language barrier/strangeness factor makes you hesistant to give baseball in Japan a try, find a local friend to take you!  It'll reduce the stress and make for a more fun (and possibly educational/insightful) experience.

Specifics:
Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)
Regular Season: April thru September/early October
Postseason: October