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Last summer, I took a holiday trip to Dogo Onsen on Shikoku. Dogo Onsen is the oldest hot spring bath in Japan.

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3000 years ago, a heron dipped his injured leg into the hot spring water as was quickly cured. Dogo Onsen became famous. Now many people come to Dogo Onsen.

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I went, too. From Takamatsu to Dogo Onsen is about three hours by train. I arrived at around four in the afternoon. I was tired and I really wanted a bath.

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I bought a ticket for the onsen and went up the stairs. I received a towel and a yukata (cotton kimono). Soon, I was entering the bath area.

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The room was small and old. It was filled with women-very crowded! All of the showers were occupied, so I washed off in cold water, then got into the bath.

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The water was warm. I felt happy. I wanted to stay in a little longer, but there were so many women waiting that I got out.

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I put on my yukata and sat drinking green tea on a zabuton cushion in a traditional tatami room. A family came into the room where I was sitting.

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The littlest girl looked at me. "Gaijin-san...!" she said and pointed as grandmother, daughter and grandaughters walked off toward the bath.