Seeing into eternity from “severed heads” resting on boxes!!

In northern Europe there are saunas everywhere. Bathers dry themselves with leaves that are spread on the floor, I hear. From ancient times, Japan too has had steam baths. The Todaiji Temple of Nara has a bath hall and records show that Horyuji and Daianji temples had them. The dry bath at Hokkeji Temple is well known for the fact that Empress Komyo made a vow that she herself would remove the grime from a thousand subjects and kept her vow. I wonder how she managed it. At Tamagawa Onsen in Akita Prefecture, the geothermal heat caused by volcanic activity of a number of volcanoes on Hachimantai is so strong a hut has been erected on the bedrock which catches the radiation from radium to create a steam bath. Many bathe here simply by lying on the rock. What could be pleasanter than this? Goshogake Onsen, known for its “steam box,” is located a few kilometers away. You crawl into the steam box, leaving only your head exposed, creating the illusion of a severed head resting on top of the box. Steam begins to pour out from everywhere right before your eyes. Not being able to see anything because of the steam is an added bonus.

Steam Baths: Goshogake Onsen, Akita Prefecture