It's one of Japan's best experiences!
Today 2 friends and I went to Moegi-no-yu onsen in nearby Okutama.
An onsen is a natural hot spring. Think about all the mountains in Japan and the seismic activity that created them (friction, tectonic plates, lava, volcanoes..... a lot of hot water is the result!)
This is one of the outdoor baths at Moegi-no-yu. It's on a mountainside and overlooks the Tama River valley. Before getting in the hot spring, one has to strip naked and take a thorough shower in a large room. No swimsuits or clothes are allowed in the onsen. It sounds intimidating, but it's really wonderful and relaxing. Different onsens have specific mineral contents and pH, so they have various "medicinal" properties. My friends & I had a fun time talking and turning into big prunes. Most onsens have separate baths for men and women.
The yellow spot on this map is Okutama. It's an hour drive from Yokota. Tokyo city is the busy-looking area north of the bay. Yokota is between Tokyo city and Okutama. We really have the best of both worlds here in Tokyo Prefecture: big city to the east and tranquil mountains to the west. 
Moegi-no-yu
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