Quote Originally Posted by Drac View Post
I've always understood that Japan may not be as welcoming as other tourist countries. Some of the things I really want to do I have heard that it can be rough for foreigners such as onsens and festivals.
Jim, if that's a part of your regular diet, you'll get along just fine. Actually, onsens and festivals are a highlight for me, and despite some of Japan's dark underbelly that I described above, neither I nor any of my friends have ever had ANY grief going to an onsen... (Debito Arudo's onsen discrimination lawsuit was in Sapporo -- a loooong way from Yamanashi). Many years ago there were a couple of small problems here but common sense prevailed fairly quickly.

If you make it over here, I'd love to take you to an onsen. Nothin' like a bit o' full nudity between friends!