Japan’s famed hot springs, or onsen, are full of invisible tripwires, from nudity to tattoos. A certified onsen sommelier shares advice on how to best enjoy the experience.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. As a kid I was desperate to go to the baths. Every summer, while visiting ...

In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers explored how bathing in Japanese hot springs affects the gut microbiota of healthy individuals. Their results provide ...

Thermal bathing is an interesting concept, anthropologically speaking. Archaeologists have traced the practice back to before 11,000 BC – though experts aren’t entirely certain whether a dip in a ...

Hot springs have been used for a variety of purposes, including the treatment and amelioration of illness and recreation. Japan has ten different types of therapeutic springs (described here as spa ...

It’s 5am and I’m naked on a mountainside. Night still holds sway over the sky, the air is thick with steam, and a single bead of sweat runs slowly down the back of my neck. The onsen (hot spring) I’m ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Rebecca Ann Hughes covers travel, culture and food in Europe. Natural thermal water can be found underground throughout almost all ...

This Central Florida town is home to several natural warm-water springs. This particular one is known for its surrounding concrete wall, overrun with lush forest greenery. Combine the beautiful ...

These observed effects can be explained from two perspectives: hydrostatic pressure and vasodilation. Hydrostatic pressure resulting from submerging the water impacts circulatory dynamics as the ...

Did you know Colorado’s Western Slope is home to dozens of hot springs? Today they’re a popular activity for many people, including adventurers hoping to find remote spots or those looking to relax in ...