I was trying to forget about the camp…

@Pete: actually, there is quite a number of mixed onsens, e.g. in Takaragawa-onsen (Minakami, Gunma pref.), Kawaji-onsen (Tochigi pref., not far from Mikko), Shima-onsen (Nkanojo, Gunma pref.), and etc. Usually such places are quite remoted but still possible to get to by train and bus while with some, you have to arrange a taxi or a ryokan car when you have a ryokan reservation. However, in some of such places (like Takaragawa-onsen) women may wrap themselc\ves in big towels which cover them from armpits to the hips – more modest then a regular swimming suits; yet, men may only use… Read more »

@Paul. That is what I remember, but it was over 50 years ago now. Some of the places we went to, were only accessible by horseback. (or hiking) Six or so of us young couples, would spend a few days there. I was the only non Asian, thus I was a source of curiosity back then. I looked two up. One is now huge tourist centre. Isn’t it strange, how things don’t change in your memory. We humans are strange creatures. Even someone as logic driven as me, does not automatically allow for thee passage of time, depreciating one’s fondly/lovingly… Read more »

BTW The parents would have an Amah accompany us as a “chaperone”. However she had a liking for good single malt Scotch. In those days, you were allowed 3 bottles duty free. Thus my duty free stash, would keep her semi-comatose for days. That left us “young-uns” free to do as we pleased. And we SURE pleased. 😉