The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-11-10
BATHS OF HAKONE.
SCENES AT A NOTED JAPANESE
HEALTH RESORT. 4,
n Native Correspondents Describes q
Place Frequentcd by Invalids
Travelling by n Kago-
A Japanese Hotel.

range OF mountains some fifty miles away
from Toxic, and it is one of the summer
resorts for tho people of the capital.
These mountains divide the island of
Nippon into two parts, and there is a
steep path over them, connecting one
part with the other. The length of this
path is somo twenty-five miles from end
to end, and is supposed to be the most
difficult of the mountain passes in the
country. en- top of those mountains,
and about the midway of the path, there
used to stand, in old fcudal times, a
strong gate, where every by was
required to identify himself before the
officers in charge. On whatever bust
ness he might be, should ne fail to satisfy
the officers, he was not allowed to pass
through. How such a law could have
successfully been carried out is simply a
matter of story to the ideas of the
present generation. Be it as it may,
along the spot where the old feudal
gate used to stand there is a large lake,
and on one Of the islands in the lake an
imperial summer palace has, of recent
years, been built. From this fact alone
the reader may at ono conclude that
Hakonc must be a nice and cool summer
resort. The waters of the lake run down
the mountains on all sides, forming Sow
cral little rapids. On and near one Of
these rapids there are tens Of hot springs
scattered about. AS you walk down from
the lake, on the eastern side Of the noun
tains, through a narrow path mot the
wide travelling road, you will find village
after village. Some Of the buildings are
SO large and fine that you will DO sure to
think that they are something more than
shot spring towns of Hakonc. Formerly
there were seven of these places and they
are called the ''seven hot springs" of
Hakone. But, of late, new hot spring
beds have been discovered and a number
Of new towns started. This is not all.
In some Of the towns you find springs Of
cold mineral water as we'll. Some towns
arc built on platcaus, while others are at
NHN VI 'aIiSyc. liz oSCuCIy HluSG
of necessity be various.
| am now writing this letter in q val
Icy village where 1 have specially como
down for the purpose Of enjoying the
moonlight. 1t is full moon this evening,
and She is so clear and beautiful that tho
locust is singing and the crow is crying.
Right i'll front of the window where I
am writing there arc q couple Of small
waterfalls, and the waters of these falls
r"stling against the rocks and those of
the rapids dashing against the stones add
grandeur and sub!imity to the beauty of
the evening. Last evening | engaged a
couple Of fishermen md they and I
jumped from stone to stone, crossed and
rccrosscd the rapids. In an hour or so
we caught a number of fish by netting.
Now to return to the hot spring con
Germ. The hotels of these hot springs
villages are run in nearly the same style,
and a brief description of one is sufficient
for all.
You travel on foot or take the kago, n
very simple arrangement. The kago is
a framework made of bamboos at the
bottom a few bamboos are framed up
like q tray and in front and rear a few
more bamboos are framed up. On top
you have a bamboo roof; and a g.eat big
wooden pole passes through the arrange
mcnt lcngthwise, right under the roof.
You enter from the side. The size is
only as much as is neccssary--nbout two
feet wide, three feet long and three feet
high, 1t is not very comfortable to sit
in it, however you have entered it. Two
men, unless you specially require a third,
come before and after the kago and carry
you with the pole On their shoulders.
AS you arrive at q hotel you are
greeted by the pro Irictor, his wife, sons,
daughters, bookkcepcrs, porters, boys,
chambermaids and all. Some of them
will help you to take shoes of aid show
the way TO your room. One neat look
ng girl brings you a cup of tea and tray
OF sweets; another will bring you a
japanese gown. You change your cloth
ing for the gown; then clap your hands
and some one will answer you and show
you down the way to the bath room.
Most of the hotels have many bath rooms,
to meet the requirements Of visitors. The
hot springs arc usually located at tho
side of valleys, and long bamboo pipes
carry the water into the towns. Some
bath rooms have the waters follino oyer
your head; Others are made to rush out
from the bottom Of the bath. Some bath
rooms have arrangements of cold water
baths as well as the hot. I have visited
several Of the origins of these hot springs.
They all rash out from crevices &C rocks,
and they arc so hot that you cannot put
Sudt niger in it without burning it.
They have all been chemically ana
lived by competent men and by them pro.