The Japanese bath

A nice little photo essay on Japanese baths. If you've never had the opportunity to visit Japan, or if you have visited but haven't been to a bath, I strongly recommend it as something to do before dying. Go to a country village in the mountains with natural hot springs (onsen), stay in a traditional inn (ryokan), and partake of the ritual of the bath. Contemplate your tea-cup among the rocks and woods and mountains.

The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos, the fountains are bubbling with delight, the soughing of the pines is heard in our kettle. Let us dream of evanescence, and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things. - Okakura, The Book of Tea