Sunday, March 11, 2007

Golfin' and Bathin'


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Originally uploaded by sleepytako.
Last Sunday the weather was great and I made my way out to Arimafuji Onsen about 20-30 min or so by bus from my house. Arimafuji Onsen is quite unique as it’s a combination supersento and golf practice range--one of the two story wacky Japanese kind. While I haven’t played golf for years, I decided to check it out. As a teenager my father got me into golf, which I enjoyed, but I hated the rampant racism, misogyny, and typical upper middle class mindset exposed by the players--including my father. So, I soon left the sport go when I graduated college. That said, I had a great time whacking balls with a rented 3 iron. Funny thing however, to get my balls I had to by a card from a ticket machine in the lobby, but to rent my club I had to pay the lady at the counter. After getting my gear I walked to my spot, second story at the far end. I don’t know wether the lady placed me there because I’m a gaijin or because I’m left handed... Either way, I liked spot. The first few balls totally sucked, but near the end of the bucket I got my groove back on. I even sliced two over the fence! HAHA! Oh yea, the onsen attached, while small, had a great outdoor bath that on that cool sunlit late winter afternoon really felt great!





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Arimafuji Onsen Hanayama no yu
有馬富士温泉 花山乃湯

www.hanayamanoyu.com
兵庫県三田市尼寺835-1

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I hit two over that left fence.

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The ball vending machine

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even though Japan has very little space, there are scores of golf areas. I'm puzzled.

Anonymous said...

Never had interest in Golf but for some reason, I know many people in IT who love it.

sleepytako said...

Thanks for the comments!

>akoua
Where I live in Hyogo-ken there are many many courses because of the accessablity from major population centers and because there is a lot land that couldn't be used for much else up in the mountains. While Japan's amonut of ariable land is small when compaired to other nations, I feel that the idea that Japan is lacking in "space" is a misconseption. Take the train out past Sanda station towards Fukuchiyama an find out for yourself--it's 青春十八切符 time!

>danny

It can be a fun hobby, going out on a course requires too much time and effort however. The driving range is like a batting cage. Spend 30min have a good time and go do something else.

Anonymous said...

fun pictures, at first looked very empty, then I saw the people. Your day sounded way too much fun.