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Almost everyone loves soaking in an outdoor hot spring bath, called rotenburo in Japanese. The combination of soothing natural mineral water and being buck naked outside is enough to wash all your stress away. Just look at those little capybara in the photo above. Don’t they look so relaxed?

If you ever have the chance to visit Japan, we highly recommend you take a dip in a rotenburo. But if you aren’t able to make the long journey over to this wonderful country right away, might we suggest taking a virtual tour of six outdoor hot springs in Japan?

Our first stop is Fukiage Onsen Rotenburo in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture. Just look at all that snow ringing each hot spring. It would be so magical to soak in the hot water while snowflakes fall all around.

Next, let’s go to Kita Onsen Oyogiyu in Tochigi Prefecture. Another snowy locale during the winter, guests are sure to be impressed with the dichotomy of white and black all around.

Yubara Hot Spring in Okayama is renowned for it’s Bijin-no-yu, or “beauty water,” that promises to rejuvenate even the driest of skin.

Ashitsuke Hot Spring is located right next to the shoreline on Shikine Island in what is technically Tokyo Prefecture. You can sit back and relax in the rotenburo while watching the waves go in and out on the nearby shore.

Of course, if we’re talking about outdoor onsen, we can’t leave out the bathing capybaras at Izu Shaboten Park who are treated to a specially prepared hot spring bath every winter.

And just to give you a double dose of “awww,” here’s another virtual tour featuring capybara cuddling up in their own private hot spring at the Nasu Animal Kingdom in Tochigi Prefecture. So cute! (Have a triple dose of capybara, or even a quadruple one, if you’re so inclined).

Didn’t quite feel like you were there while going through the virtual tours? Next time try soaking in your bathtub at home while you go on your Google Maps journey. Be sure to throw in a capybara for good measure!

Source: Google Japan Blog
Featured Image: Google Maps