For a unique bathing experience, nothing beats a 3- or 4-hour respite at this re-created Edo-era bathhouse village, which taps mineral-rich hot-spring waters 1,380m (4,528 ft.) below ground to supply its various baths. After changing into a yukata (cotton kimono, with a choice of nine patterns) and depositing your belongings in a locker (your key is bar-coded, so there’s no need to carry any money), you’ll stroll past souvenir shops and restaurants on your way to massage rooms, sand baths (extra fee charged), and onsen (hot-spring baths) complete with outdoor baths, Jacuzzi, steam baths, foot baths, and saunas. Because it can be quite crowded on weekends, try to come on a weekday. Also, signs in English are virtually nonexistent, so observe gender before entering bathing areas (hint: Women’s baths usually have pink or red curtains, men’s blue), though there is an English pamphlet with a map and instructions for proper bathing etiquette. Finally, because tattoos are associated with the Japanese mafia, people with tattoos are prohibited here, as they are in virtually all public baths in Japan.