Now *that's* and Onsen

Kengo, Wendy and I met at Zao Onsen, it's a natural hotspring nestled up against the mountains. People have been soaking in those pools for the last 1800 years. It's outside, reeks of sulfer and is the most heavenly bath I've ever had. It was a misty and rainy day which was just perfectly refreshing on my face as the rest of me seemed to be cooking in the hot water. I want to go back every weekend. Be warned...it's a little exposed. Walking to the lockers, you do pass by the men's pools and...um...the men. Well, I peeked. (But no, I didn't take that photo ~ I'm not that forward! I found it elsewhere.) I figure it's payback for all of the gawking and pointing at my breasts over the last 2 1/2 years. Anyhoo, the women's baths are in the back and are a bit more secluded. Of course, being a foreigner, that just means more gawking (but less pointing) from the older women there. But once you can surrender to the gaze, not give a tit about it and relax, it's simply heaven there. It didn't take long.

Afterwards we went to dinner at Doma Doma, my favorite little izakaiya in Yamagata. And then we were off to Rough Roll to watch the big game!