Our Honeymoon: Shibu Onsen

After the high techness of Tokyo we made our way to Shibu Onsen. A small town that is stepped in tradition and home to alot of monkeys!

We stayed in a traditional Ryokan where we were greeted by tea and a Japanese sweet and then through many sliding doors and slipper changes we were shown our room. We’ve traveled alot but have never stayed in anything as cool as a Ryokan, everything was low or on the ground but all very well designed and so beautiful. Shibu Onsen is also home to 9 natural hot water baths, and each has been blessed for different healing benefits. We stayed away from the gout one and went to the organic bath which seemed a little more friendly. Even though the baths are separated for men and women, still its a very strange feeling having a bath with a another naked stranger, but we figured that you have to try everything at least once.

We were also served amazingly complex Japanese meals, which as a whole taste pretty good. But we’re not sure its something we’d be able to eat every day. Too many whole fish’s for me.

The real highlight however was going to the monkey park. We were expecting a few monkeys there, not the approximate 160 that visit the hot pool every day! All the monkeys are so used to having humans around that they’ll walk next to you, so we followed a few to the park. The hot pool is smaller than I expected and only a handful of monkeys are in the pool at one time, there is a crazy status thing with the monkeys and the ‘boss’ monkey will fight other monkeys out of the pool if he’s not too keen on them. Its amazing to watch.

We’re now in Kyoto and are excited to see a tonne of temple’s and hopefully spot a geisha or two wandering around the streets. Japan really is so amazing and we’re thrilled to be here in Autumn. The changing leaves are so beautiful!

Categories: our wedding, wed

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