kangen ga sih rasanya naksir orang beneran like having sparks all over your stomach when you look at them in real life and smile silly without you realize trs punya semangat buat menjalani hari karena lo bakal ketemu dia tiap hari
I went to an onsen in Hakone. I was nervous because I have tattoos and heard they sometimes don't allow tattoos.
At the entrance, the owner looked at my tattoos. I started apologizing, ready to leave.
He said "small tattoos, okay. You can cover it with bandages. But you must follow all other rules perfectly. Understand?"
I said yes. He gave me bandages and a laminated card with rules in English.
I followed every rule exactly. Washed thoroughly before entering. Didn't splash. Keep quiet. Didn't bring my towel in the water.
Afterwards, the owner stopped me. I thought I was in trouble.
He said "you follow rules better than Japanese customers. Why?"
I told him because he gave me a chance even though I have tattoos. I didn't want to waste that.
He nodded. Said "many foreigners come to onsen and don't respect rules. They say 'it's just a bath, why so many rules?' But rules are respected. Respect for water, respect for other people, respect for tradition."
He said "I let you in because you asked permission. Many people with tattoos just walk in and get angry when I stop them. But you were polite. Politeness is more important than tattoos."
Then he said something I'll never forget: "Rules are not to keep people out. Rules are to teach people how to belong."
He gave me a discount for following the rules so well. I tried to refuse, he insisted.