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The warmth made its way from my toe unto my ankle as I dipped it in to the steaming water. The smell of sulphur was interrupted by the different types of heated pools. I had somehow been convinced to go to an Onsen. The winter air was biting as we made our way from the train station in the sleepy town just out of Tokyo. Nerima was calm as the town went to sleep and the end of the night drew near. I still felt a level of unease going to the Onsen. “Trust me, you will love it. I thought it was weird at first, but now I come here every month.” My friend Bonnie had become a true native in Japan. She and her friend had somehow convinced me to visit and relax before my flight to Bangkok the next day, where the calm would become the hustle and bustle. We entered, I hesitated again. Grabbing my arm and dragging me to a locker they got me into slippers and we went to the counter. A stream of Japanese flew at me as I could only pick up a few words here and there. After being translated the lowdown, I handed over my Yen, was handed a key and we moved to the lockers. I stood for a moment, unsure with what I was doing. Not used to being bared before a number of other people wasn’t ever at the top of my list. I tured from staring into my locker and saw others stripping off without a care. A deep breath and I was doing the same. When in Rome. “Okay so I just keep the key? And my towel? Where is my towel?” Panic was evident. “Oh you get those after you wash off.” What was washing off? I could smell the steam in the air from the baths, and wanted to just go and dive in and hide myself from the view of everyone. When we got to the wash area, it was nearly empty. I didn’t think I would have to ever ask how to wash myself as an adult in my life, but there we were. It was like my second baptism into a new world. “So which bath you want to try first?” I didn’t know what the difference was, “The one outside is really nice, it also looks like there is nobody else out there.” I liked this idea. As we stepped out of the steaming inclosed area, the cold air bit at my bare skin. The winter night air calmed me, made me feel fresh. I started dipping my toe into the heated water. Once submerged, the sulphur in the water made its way to my bones. Soothing the aches from the busy days of being a tourist in the electric city. “This was a good idea,” I agreed without being asked. We all sat watching the stars above. I felt peace and relaxation, something I hadn’t really felt in a long time. “You did need this,” Bonnie agreed. “You have had a hard few months.” “But this takes all that, away.” I sighed. After a while, we started to spa hop, try the different waters. We followed the tradition of getting into our gowns, and buying a cold milk from the vending machine. We were relaxed, and beyond happy with our choice of the nights plan. It was an initiation into local life. I wanted to stay and belong in the comfort of the springs, in the comfort of where I could finally for once, truly relax.