The Hot Springs Adventure

Before coming to Okinawa, I had read about a new hot springs somewhere on the Island and thought that it was up north. But no, it's right around the corner - 15 mins away! The name is "Chula-la" and it is a very lovely, new commercial hot springs facility next door to a high-rise, resort hotel. Both are right on the beach on the South China Sea. The hot springs opened on May 1st and the hotel isn't open yet.  

Chula-la has private areas for men and women and three outside pools where suits are required. In the private area, there is a Japanese-style washing area (you sit on stools with a European style shower head and take your best shot) and two hot pools (one open air and the other inside) where you don't need a suit.

The three outside pools, where suits are required, are very nice and the water in each pool is a different temperature. Plus, there is a cabana, bar, sauna, cold room, etc. and all of it is surrounded by tropical plants.

Apparently, the city built this complex and drilled down to find the geothermal water source that is a mix of fresh and salt water. They play relaxing but ultimately annoying tranquil music everywhere and the men's changing area has nice amenities like lotions, shavers, combs, etc.

One thing that could be unnerving to American men is that Japanese women typically are responsible for cleaning bathrooms and taking care of the men's changing area and the attendants seem to come in and out at any time. I saw this at a highway rest area when I was being given the tour of the various military facilities when the women were cleaning the men's room as it was in use. So, at this hot springs, after I was done and drying off, this young lady just comes into the men's changing area to pick up trash, arrange the lotions, combs, etc. When she goes by a naked man, like me, she politely puts her hand up to the side of her face nearest the man. No one thinks much of it here, so I won't either.