There are many types of hot springs to enjoy. The conventional hot spring is a hot water bath. Depending on the spring, different minerals are dissolved in the water, giving it different health benefits, colors and smells. Many hot springs contain sulfur and have an according odor.
What I learnt while naked in Japan: The rules of onsen etiquette
A naked dip in Japan's hidden hot springs • Passport Stamps
There was no question as to whether I was going to visit a traditional Japanese onsen during my trip. Onsen is a natural hot spring bath, with steaming water — rich with minerals that are said to be beneficial for the body and mind — that originates from volcanoes. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered throughout. The water must contain at least one of the 19 designated chemical elements that naturally occur in hot spring water and at least 25C to officially be considered an onsen.
The Onsen: Japanese Hot Springs (And Full Frontal Nudity)
By Helen Wright. I press my face against the window and feel the cool glass on my cheeks. Outside, the weather in Matsumoto, Japan is drizzling with typical December charm.
Travelling is about embracing new experiences. In Japan that can mean leaving your clothes, along with your comfort zone, in a neat pile far behind. Japanese onsens, or communal hot springs, adhere to ancient traditions which include bathing naked.