Saturday, December 26, 2015

Japan sketchbook - 8 and 9

Onsen at the ryokan
Watercolour, crayon and marker
©2015 Charlene Brown

After a night sleeping on the floor on tatami mats at an onsen ryokan, some of us enjoyed a sunrise dip in the milky green sulphur hot springs pool – ‘some’ being those of us unafraid to go out to a pool where no bathing suits or clothing (or cameras, fortunately) were allowed.  

The ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, is located in a caldera with active steam vents in the allegedly dormant volcanic peaks towering above. This was a brand new experience for most of us, and (also allegedly) made us each five years younger.

Hakone caldera

Watercolour and crayon
©2015 Charlene Brown