What Japan's onsen culture taught me about body positivity

'I found myself slowing down, taking care of myself in a way I had never done before'

Adele Miner: Japense Onsen culture

I’m standing in a shower, scrubbing my hair with shampoo, completely starkers. It’s a normal occurrence, of course, to shower naked. Except this time, I’m surrounded by seven other women, all of whom are also naked and washing themselves.

I had been aware of Japanese onsens before booking my trip to Japan. I understood the concept; it’s a place you go to bathe and soak, like a spa. I also understood the rules; you had to do it naked. Due to the latter, I assumed that I would never experience an onsen; I simply could not get my baps out in a room full of strangers. But as it turns out, I can, and feel not only squeaky clean, but also transformed in the process.