After a half hour, Haruvuki Ito has had enough and climbs out of the knee-deep, hot spring water and takes a towel to dry himself.
It’s a familiar ritual for Haruvuki who visits the hot water springs on the market square in Shimabara town everyday.
This part of the country is dotted with hot springs and most people on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu regularly visit them.
The abundance of natural springs led to Japan’s bathing culture, which fulfils an important role in stabilising society, as well as looking after the nation’s bodily health. More…
