The Japanese word for hot springs is osen. The islands of Japan are active volcanoes, with thousands of onsen scattered across its countryside. The Japanese often talk of the virtues of "naked communion," hadaka no tsukiai for breaking down barriers and getting to know people in the relaxed, natural atmosphere. Traditionally, men and women bathed nude together at the onsen, but single-sex and swimsuit bathing has become the norm since the opening of Japan to the West during the Meiji period.
Once again, thanks to America for imposing its views of sexuality on other cultures and making nudity socially awkward for everyone.
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