We imagined an early morning in a hot spring town, when no one has yet woken up.

Unlike the public baths along the way home, a hot spring town carries an almost otherworldly, fantastical atmosphere. It’s not just about soaking in the onsen—it’s about traveling, experiencing fresh scenery and air, taking a bath, wearing a yukata, and sleeping in a futon. It’s the memory of a journey.

Even mornings, which I usually find difficult, feel filled with a strange excitement when I’m traveling, and before I know it, I wake up early. The town is quiet, still asleep in the early morning. The only sounds are the chirping of birds and the gentle flow of spring water beneath the ground. Shrouded in mist, the town feels as if it still exists in a dreamlike world.

Immersed in this meditative, mysterious atmosphere, I head toward the onsen with messy hair and a towel in hand. Along the way, I notice a broken tree branch and green leaves glistening with morning dew. Bathed in the clear morning light, even the smallest details seem to take on a special glow. The onsen warms us from the core of our bodies and quietly gives us the strength to return to daily life.