If you've ever planned, or attempted to plan a trip to The Land of the Rising Sun, you've probably already been asked something along the lines of “Oh! Will you visit an onsen?” Many prospective travelers are already well-aware of Japanese public baths and hot springs, but this question still throws some people for a loop. Several months ago I was no different; I had just settled in a town not too far from Nagasaki City and, after what felt like months of travel, was able to sit down, sip some coffee, and write an e-mail to my family. Alongside the usual questions and praises, the most frequent question I received from my extended family and friends was of course, “Oh! Will you visit an onsen?” It's much easier to wave the question away when comes from an e-mail, but when my coworkers began to ask me, it became a tad more difficult. The idea of an onsen didn't exactly frighten me, per se, but I wasn't in a hurry to visit one either. The very idea of seeing someone else of the same sex nude in a casual setting is somewhat off putting at best. While public baths are considered perfectly normal and valid social gatherings to the Japanese, in the West even stripping to your skivvies in public is fairly taboo. Suffice to say, I was a bit nervous about visiting an onsen, as I'm sure many other travelers are. The phrase “Try it, you'll like it!” has never been so appropriate. Visiting the spa and onsen hybrid known as Fuku no Yu, I can safely say that I have never been in a more relaxing and comfortable place filled with naked people.

Located on a mountain on the fringe of Nagasaki City, Fuku no Yu is an establishment that blends Japanese traditional comforts with a collection of familiar worldwide methods. Boasting several baths of different sizes and quirks, Fuku no Yu is also home to several saunas and even a massage parlor (only for female visitors though). Many of the baths are located indoors in a heated room next to the showers, but several others, including the hottest bath, can be found outside on a mountainside terrace overlooking Nagasaki City. There are even several less-traditional relaxation methods available as well, such as the fish pedicure tank: a foot bath where tiny fish nibble dead skin off of your feet! Don't let the macabre image fool you; Fuku no Yu's facilities are kept immaculately clean and the staff members are helpful as they are friendly. Whether you're renting a towel for the baths, grabbing a post-soak beer at the traditional restaurant, or just a beginner burning with questions, the attendants are always eager to assist as best as they can. Though I could speak little Japanese at the time of my visit, it was remarkably simple to reserve a locker for the bath and schedule other amenities. Fuku no Yu is a fantastic place to visit for your first onsen-soak; it has a reputation for serving travelers visiting the prefecture from all over the country and world. I myself chatted with a cyclist from Singapore while we soaked in a 41 degree Celsius bath underneath the stars. The other bath goers were quite polite and friendly during my stay. You don't feel like a foreigner when you visit; rather you feel like a regular customer. You may very well become a regular as well; the prices at Fuku no Yu are remarkably cheap given the quality of the establishment and getting there is as simple as boarding a free shuttle from Urakami Station, about two stops north of Nagasaki Station proper. The bus has a tight schedule, however, so it's best to plan your trip in advance to avoid waiting on the curb.

All in all, Fuku no Yu wasn't just an onsen to visit, it was the best one I could have asked for to break the proverbial ice between my reluctance and an activity enjoyed by residents and foreigners of all ages and shapes. I go there with friends whenever I have the time and it's honestly the best way to let off steam after a long work week. If you ever decide to visit Nagasaki prefecture on business or pleasure, don't hesitate! With a cheap price and easily-accessible facilities, the only thing keeping you from having a good time is yourself!