A Hairy White Teenager in a Japanese Bathhouse
Living in Japan
I lived in Japan with my family for several years when my dad was in the Airforce. We loved the place so much that a year and a half after we rotated back to the States, my dad asked to be re-assigned back to Yokota Airforce Base.
My family loved Japan
During our first tour there, my parents both had side-hustles teaching English. My mom would take the train to Tokyo to teach Japanese Businessmen.
One summer, my mom’s English Class invited us to a Beach Resort, paid for by the Company. We had a great time. We spent a week there. While we were at the Resort, we used the Bathhouses.
We were friends with a few Japanese, and we had all been to Bathhouses, So we were used to it.
What is this hairy white Giant Gaijin doing here?
I smiled inwardly; as I took off my clothes and placed them in the basket, then I took the washcloth and small plastic tub to the stool in front of the nearest spigot.
The Japanese are too polite to stare, but I felt the eyes on me nonetheless. It didn’t bother me; in fact, I thought it was funny.
I reached for the tap and filled my tub and soaped up the rag and started scrubbing. After bathing, I rinsed off and joined the other naked men in the hot tub.
I climbed over the rim and sank into the hot, steaming tub with a contented sigh.
I had been in Japan long enough to pick up some of the languages, I never was fluent in Japanese, but I knew enough to know when I was being talked about most of the time.
The hairy Gaijin
I imagined they were discussing the hairy Gaijin. I smiled as we sat there soaking, I watched as one by one, the other bathers left the bathhouse, leaving me to soak alone.
The Japanese are wonderful people
I never felt unwelcome or uncomfortable when I went to a Bathhouse; in fact, I never felt uncomfortable anywhere in Japan. Japan is the most interesting place I have ever lived.
I will never forget the assault to my senses whenever I left the Base. I would go places with my family, by train or by car, with my dad driving. The sites and sounds and smells of a Japanese market are amazing.
I want to go back someday
Have you ever watched a TV show or movie about Japan and wondered if it would be worth the trip? I assure you that it is worth it.
I have so many memories. My family going to Ramen houses, we would eat so much, we probably paid the rent of the place for several months.
I loved the Cherry Blossoms when they bloomed, they were so pretty, and I thought Japanese girls were adorable. I would love to go back to Japan one day.
I will go back someday
I would like to experience a Bathhouse again, and I would love to again taste real Japanese food. If you have never been to Japan, I highly recommend it. I’m sure much has changed since I left in 1979, but I still would love to return to The Land of the Rising Sun.
My advice is to save a lot of money, Japan is expensive. I recommend the Ginza in Tokyo. I also suggest non-tourist places like Ramen Houses and markets.
I’m sure Japan has changed quite a bit since I left, I would like to go back and experience it as an adult, and I’m sure my wife will find the place as fascinating as I do.
Gaijin= Foreigner
