Onsen: come on in, boys, the water's fine (Pics 15-18)

Guys with a narrow towel draped discreetly in front, and their butts shining and warm from their own heat - due to the 40 degree or hotter water (Celius - of course) are common sights at hot spring baths and the open-air mineral pools in Japan, which are known as 'onsen' 温泉. Of course, there are several other countries where

In the top photo, the guys are obviously not Japanese. I wonder if they were visitors to an onsen (hot minerals spring bath and/or resort) in Japan or if that's in another place. Obviously, there are places similar to 'onsen' in Scandinavia, particularly Finland, nearby Russian, but also in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, even England (The city of Bath being such an example - at least long ago).

It has not really developed into an industry or common social practice of almost ritualistic cleansing and relaxtion therapy that other cultures have adopted it.

Excuse me for cross-posting to Kelly's Second Life, Travel with Sunbuns, and Otoko (my blogs).

The above amateur photos were forwarded in a group message from: atitlan: [ymna2] Yahoo group.