The Ultimate Guide to Sacred Waters, Hot Springs, and Bath Houses
Growing up with a Japanese mother from Okinawa, one of my most cherished memories was visiting bath houses together when we would visit her family in Japan. For her, these trips were more than moments of relaxation—they were a link to survival and resilience. Her family lost everything after World War II and relocated from Okinawa to the main island, settling in Tokyo taking decades to rebuild their lives. They lived in a 200-square-foot home without a shower. Rain or snow, her family of five would walk to the local bath house every evening, a ritual that shaped their daily lives and taught her the importance of these shared spaces.
Now, as I travel, the first thing I search for is whether a destination offers a bath house or natural hot springs. Although I’m a massage therapist by trade, I rarely seek out day spas for facials or massages—I’m too picky with my massages, and am pretty content with my own skincare regimen. Instead, I yearn for places with thermal pools, mineral baths, or serene settings to recharge my spirit.
There is something truly sacred about soaking in a natural hot spring shaped by Mother Earth herself, that feels unparalleled. In this blog, I’ve divided my favorites into two categories: bath houses and natural hot springs. Each holds a special place in my heart, and while my list is far from complete, it serves as a reflection of my love for these sacred spaces—and my endless desire to explore more.
-> Natural Springs Around the World Worth Traveling For
-> Bath Houses Around the World: A Journey Through Ritual and Relaxation
-> Water That Remembers: Visiting the World’s Most Sacred Waters
