As I put myself out into the world, it reciprocates with moments of beauty and meaning
Chapter 3 – Onsen and Meandering
A Journey Through Kusatsu’s Healing Waters and the Art of Serendipitous Encounters
I am always drawn to staying in a quintessential Onsen hotel, savoring kaiseki cuisine or wrapping myself in an authentic Onsen for its soothing, healing, and beauty powers. I have visited several Onsen destinations in Japan (Hakone, Izu, Hokkaido, etc.,), but Kusatsu Onsen exceeded my expectations and took my Onsen experience to new heights.
In hindsight, it was very clever of me to choose an Onsen hotel located in the town center, which allowed me to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the Onsen town. Kusatsu is a two-hour bus ride away from Karuizawa. A slightly late check-in around 5 pm left me with an 8:30 pm dinner reservation, but I didn’t mind—this gave me perfect timing to unwind in the onsen and channel that reinvigorating energy to wander around the town.
I checked into Urakusatsu TOU, a newly built Onsen hotel that blends modern comfort with traditional Japanese aesthetics, with a bit of a MuJi vibe, haha. The Onsen boasts both high temperature and acidity, standing out from its competitive peers. I admit, I was sold by its ranking as the country’s No. 1 hot spring in Japan!
I indulged myself in both public and private Onsen bath, fully embracing its known beauty and qualities.
I’m not repelled by the smell of acidity; in fact, I equate it with the authenticity of a spring spa. On some subconscious level, the acidity seems to signify high efficacy in skin detoxification and rejuvenation—at least to me, lol. After the Onsen, I donned a yukata and wooden sandals, carrying a basket as I meandered through the town center.
Here, I experienced a magical moment in my life. It was around 7 pm. I soaked in the onsen scent as I walked from the hotel to the town, where I marveled at the splendour and magnificence of Yubatake (Hot Water Field)—a central meeting and sightseeing spot in Kusatsu Onsen. As night settled in, Yubatake evoked a surreal, fairytale-like wonder. I couldn’t help but conjure up the bath scene from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
What catapulted my experience to its pinnacle was the vitality and exuberance of the town. Most of the shops were still open, and the tourists blended seamlessly into the warm and soothing atmosphere. Serendipitously, I encountered my life drink—rice sake. Although I don’t drink alcohol often, ( may occasionally indulge in a cocktail), The rice sake, promoted as an adult’s version of rice wine, combined my two favorite elements: its creamy texture and non-intoxicating nature. I once had frozen rice sake at an Izu Onsen hotel, but the hot version fit perfectly with the breezy evening. I had two cups and felt incredibly relaxed.
Back at the hotel by 8:30 pm, I enjoyed a late dinner. It was a revamped kaiseki meal, married with French techniques and decorated with expressions unique to Kusatsu. Although I was craving a Japanese hot pot, the fusion course didn’t disappoint my taste buds. It was a day worth reminiscing, yet I almost fell asleep while the dessert was served. After dinner, I succummed to a peaceful slumber —the Onsen not only healed me but also had a hypnotic effect on me, lol.
このおいしい飲み物を買った店のとても優しいの店員さん は 温泉の美容効果などで楽しい会話をしていたら、今度はお友達と一緒に来てねと言われ、私は絶対と言った！
The next day, I continued strolling around the town, which I found fairly crowded, yet this injected vibrancy to the quintessentially Japanese atmosphere. My head finally stopped spinning as I indulged in a luxurious half-day of meandering through a foreign, secluded area. I ran into a lovely local lady at a honey shop, where we had a delightful conversation in Japanese about the beauty and healing power of kusatsu Onsen.
Those serendipitous encounters during my trip to Japan are always precious and forever archived in my memory. They opened my eyes to the richer layers of life and diverse form of living, igniting a desire to move toward a future that goes beyond the one-dimensional.
That afternoon, I returned to Karuizawa, where I embarked on a three-hour culinary journey at night, in a restaurant named Yukawatan. Yukawatan hit my aesthetic core with its website design and captivated me with its storytelling.. The restaurant prides itself on locally sourced produce and fresh ingredients, which may I say it speaks to Japan’s obsession with chronological nuances and an emphasis on seasonality lol. The chef aims to capture the charm of French cuisine by blending its classic essence with modern renditions. The starter was served in the forest, which was a rare and unique experience. How often does a fine dining experience involve a venue transition and an indoor-outdoor connection, right? The waiter later told me that this seemingly unconventional start required a myriad of conditions—weather, humidity, lighting—all variables that had to be factored in for those few minutes of outdoor enjoyment.
The restaurant’s interior features spatial openness and gravitas, with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the forest. I also feel compelled to highlight their impeccable service. The staff walked me through each thoughtfully crafted dish, paired with exquisite plates. They approached each guest with ultra-attention and passion, which translated into evocative anecdotes and story-telling. What struck me the most was when I was told that mushrooms and grapes took center stage this season, which led me to check out their Instagram posts. Peeking into how they scout and harvest these ingredients by hand, I was deeply impressed by the raw, fresh quality.
I’m not the most discerning foodie with a sophisticated palette, yet I indulge in fine dining experiences occasionally. I may not be equipped to critique cuisine from a culinary perspective, but I’m innately drawn to experiential events. My night culminated in a symphony assembled by gastronomy, nature, and architecture.
The next day in Karuizawa, I serendipitously walked along a route where the hongye (autumn leaves) were in full bloom. As one of the oldest and most famous summer resorts in Japan, Karuizawa always presents itself as an elegant lady with a calm and collected composure. Yet, it’s one of those resort areas that requires either driving or, at the very least, biking. Since I neither drive nor bike, I walked more than expected and encountered the majesty and splendour of Mother Nature. A blessing in disguise, lol.
I further explored a vintage café in the Karuizawa forest, where I had the best "me time" drinking coffee, nibbling on handmade cookies, I savored every bite, and reading a book entitled the best museums in the world I just bought from The Hiroshi and Senju Museum.
The classic music playing in the café wove seamlessly into the opulent, nostalgic interior, and I found myself flowing into the ideal state of being.
Chapter 4 – An Ode to Frienhship
An Epic Reunion Woven into Tokyo's Serenity and Splendour
I no longer claim myself a pure solo traveler since my friend relocated to Tokyo this year. We both made conscious efforts to make our reunion in Tokyo happen. With each reunion, we surpass the magic of the last, and top epicness of the previous.
What made our second reunion in Tokyo extra special was celebrating my friend’s birthday in advance. I planned a Tokyo Aman day for my friend. My underlying thought was to maximize our experience by amalgamating two distinct yet complementary spaces: Aman Café for lunch, an urban oasis, and Aman Lounge for afternoon tea, an architectural marvel. Since Aman Tokyo is at the top of my hotel wish list, curating a birthday experience for my friend there just naturally emerged.
In Aman Lounge , the most profound tranquility is born in the urban dynamic, blending the finest design details with the most ambitious scale, carving out a pinnacle of beauty. I’m at a stage where I’m further examining my relationship with my environment, people, and myself. While architecture refines my eye to appreciate the physical world, it is the core element of human connection that truly ties me to humanity and greatness.
On that day, our conversations intertwined with the inner grandeur and gravitas of Aman’s architectural embrace. Time seemed to stand still, creating a sense of eternity and illumination.
We extended The joy through our city walk from Otemachi to Ginza where we gazed at vibrant cityscape of the bustling business center, surprisingly encountering early Christmas light displays along the way. Every second felt meaningful, and we made the most of it.
I was in her house the other day , after dinner, She walked me to the station. We encountered the full moon on the way, She spotted first actually. As a photographer, She felt compelled to take this photo, me, conjured what Mr Sakamoto said : how many times can you see full moon？ Don't forget to watch moon every day. The younger version of me might have felt a twinge of melancholy in such a moment, but the person I am today fully embraces its beauty and rarity. I stood there, cherishing the moon and the warmth of our friendship.
I left Tokyo feeling soothed, blessed, and deeply Anointed . I’m already envisioning my next trip—and our next reunion!
Show Notes
Chapter 3 – Onsen and Meandering
A Journey Through Kusatsu’s Healing Waters and the Art of Serendipitous Encounters
I am always drawn to staying in a quintessential Onsen hotel, savoring kaiseki cuisine or wrapping myself in an authentic Onsen for its soothing, healing, and beauty powers. I have visited several Onsen destinations in Japan (Hakone, Izu, Hokkaido, etc.,), but Kusatsu Onsen exceeded my expectations and took my Onsen experience to new heights.
In hindsight, it was very clever of me to choose an Onsen hotel located in the town center, which allowed me to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the Onsen town. Kusatsu is a two-hour bus ride away from Karuizawa. A slightly late check-in around 5 pm left me with an 8:30 pm dinner reservation, but I didn’t mind—this gave me perfect timing to unwind in the onsen and channel that reinvigorating energy to wander around the town.
I checked into Urakusatsu TOU, a newly built Onsen hotel that blends modern comfort with traditional Japanese aesthetics, with a bit of a MuJi vibe, haha. The Onsen boasts both high temperature and acidity, standing out from its competitive peers. I admit, I was sold by its ranking as the country’s No. 1 hot spring in Japan!
I indulged myself in both public and private Onsen bath, fully embracing its known beauty and qualities.
I’m not repelled by the smell of acidity; in fact, I equate it with the authenticity of a spring spa. On some subconscious level, the acidity seems to signify high efficacy in skin detoxification and rejuvenation—at least to me, lol. After the Onsen, I donned a yukata and wooden sandals, carrying a basket as I meandered through the town center.
Here, I experienced a magical moment in my life. It was around 7 pm. I soaked in the onsen scent as I walked from the hotel to the town, where I marveled at the splendour and magnificence of Yubatake (Hot Water Field)—a central meeting and sightseeing spot in Kusatsu Onsen. As night settled in, Yubatake evoked a surreal, fairytale-like wonder. I couldn’t help but conjure up the bath scene from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
What catapulted my experience to its pinnacle was the vitality and exuberance of the town. Most of the shops were still open, and the tourists blended seamlessly into the warm and soothing atmosphere. Serendipitously, I encountered my life drink—rice sake. Although I don’t drink alcohol often, ( may occasionally indulge in a cocktail), The rice sake, promoted as an adult’s version of rice wine, combined my two favorite elements: its creamy texture and non-intoxicating nature. I once had frozen rice sake at an Izu Onsen hotel, but the hot version fit perfectly with the breezy evening. I had two cups and felt incredibly relaxed.
Back at the hotel by 8:30 pm, I enjoyed a late dinner. It was a revamped kaiseki meal, married with French techniques and decorated with expressions unique to Kusatsu. Although I was craving a Japanese hot pot, the fusion course didn’t disappoint my taste buds. It was a day worth reminiscing, yet I almost fell asleep while the dessert was served. After dinner, I succummed to a peaceful slumber —the Onsen not only healed me but also had a hypnotic effect on me, lol.
The next day, I continued strolling around the town, which I found fairly crowded, yet this injected vibrancy to the quintessentially Japanese atmosphere. My head finally stopped spinning as I indulged in a luxurious half-day of meandering through a foreign, secluded area. I ran into a lovely local lady at a honey shop, where we had a delightful conversation in Japanese about the beauty and healing power of kusatsu onsen.
Those serendipitous encounters during my trip to Japan are always precious and forever archived in my memory. They opened my eyes to the richer layers of life and diverse form of living, igniting a desire to move toward a future that goes beyond the one-dimensional.
That afternoon, I returned to Karuizawa, where I embarked on a three-hour culinary journey at night, in a restaurant named Yukawatan. Yukawatan hit my aesthetic core with its website design and captivated me with its storytelling.. The restaurant prides itself on locally sourced produce and fresh ingredients, which may I say it speaks to Japan’s obsession with chronological nuances and an emphasis on seasonality lol. The chef aims to capture the charm of French cuisine by blending its classic essence with modern renditions. The starter was served in the forest, which was a rare and unique experience. How often does a fine dining experience involve a venue transition and an indoor-outdoor connection, right? The waiter later told me that this seemingly unconventional start required a myriad of conditions—weather, humidity, lighting—all variables that had to be factored in for those few minutes of outdoor enjoyment.
The restaurant’s interior features spatial openness and gravitas, with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the forest. I also feel compelled to highlight their impeccable service. The staff walked me through each thoughtfully crafted dish, paired with exquisite plates. They approached each guest with ultra-attention and passion, which translated into evocative anecdotes and story-telling. What struck me the most was when I was told that mushrooms and grapes took center stage this season, which led me to check out their Instagram posts. Peeking into how they scout and harvest these ingredients by hand, I was deeply impressed by the raw, fresh quality.
I’m not the most discerning foodie with a sophisticated palette, yet I indulge in fine dining experiences occasionally. I may not be equipped to critique cuisine from a culinary perspective, but I’m innately drawn to experiential events. My night culminated in a symphony assembled by gastronomy, nature, and architecture.
The next day in Karuizawa, I serendipitously walked along a route where the hongye (autumn leaves) were in full bloom. As one of the oldest and most famous summer resorts in Japan, Karuizawa always presents itself as an elegant lady with a calm and collected composure. Yet, it’s one of those resort areas that requires either driving or, at the very least, biking. Since I neither drive nor bike, I walked more than expected and encountered the majesty and splendour of Mother Nature. A blessing in disguise, lol.
I further explored a vintage café in the Karuizawa forest, where I had the best "me time" drinking coffee, nibbling on handmade cookies, I savored every bite, and reading a book entitled the best museums in the world I just bought from The Hiroshi and Senju Museum.
The classic music playing in the café wove seamlessly into the opulent, nostalgic interior, and I found myself flowing into the ideal state of being.
Chapter 4 – An Ode to Frienhship
An Epic Reunion Woven into Tokyo's Serenity and Splendour
I no longer claim myself a pure solo traveler since my friend relocated to Tokyo this year. We both made conscious efforts to make our reunion in Tokyo happen. With each reunion, we surpass the magic of the last, and top epicness of the previous.
What made our second reunion in Tokyo extra special was celebrating my friend’s birthday in advance. I planned a Tokyo Aman day for my friend. My underlying thought was to maximize our experience by amalgamating two distinct yet complementary spaces: Aman Café for lunch, an urban oasis, and Aman Lounge for afternoon tea, an architectural marvel. Since Aman Tokyo is at the top of my hotel wish list, curating a birthday experience for my friend there just naturally emerged.
In Aman Lounge , the most profound tranquility is born in the urban dynamic, blending the finest design details with the most ambitious scale, carving out a pinnacle of beauty. I’m at a stage where I’m further examining my relationship with my environment, people, and myself. While architecture refines my eye to appreciate the physical world, it is the core element of human connection that truly ties me to humanity and greatness.
On that day, our conversations intertwined with the inner grandeur and gravitas of Aman’s architectural embrace. Time seemed to stand still, creating a sense of eternity and illumination.
We extended The joy through our city walk from Otemachi to Ginza where we gazed at vibrant cityscape of the bustling business center, surprisingly encountering early Christmas light displays along the way. Every second felt meaningful, and we made the most of it.
I was in her house the other day , after dinner, She walked me to the station.We encountered the full moon on the way, She spotted first actually. As a photographer, She felt compelled to take this photo, me, conjured what Mr sakamotosaid : how many times can you see full moon？ Don't forget to watch moon every day. The younger version of me might have felt a twinge of melancholy in such a moment, but the person I am today fully embraces its beauty and rarity. I stood there, cherishing the moon and the warmth of our friendship.
I left Tokyo feeling soothed, blessed, and deeply Anointed . I’m already envisioning my next trip—and our next reunion!
Comments