내쇼날지오그리프지 2013년 사진 대회 출품된 30점: Beautiful Pictures from the 2013 National Geographic Photography Contest

We present here a sneak peak at some of the submissions so far to the 2013 National Geographic Photography Contest. The winning photographs from each of the three categories (nature, people and places) will be published in National Geographic magazine. Think you’ve got a better shot than these? The entry period ends on Nov. 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET (U.S.).

(Photo and caption by Glen Hush/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) I had been in Teton National Park for 5 days and hadn't yet seen the tops of the Teton Range due to non stop storm systems moving through. October can be like that in this majestic part of America. Large herds of bison roam free in this park as well as in Yellowstone, just to the north. It is an awe inspiring sight indeed. After taking pictures of this herd, I felt that I had been "shut out" as the mountain peaks had still not been revealed to me. It wasn't until I looked at the pictures on my computer that I realized that in a few frames, the peaks had been revealed. What a great surprise. 

(Photo and caption by Erin Wallis/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) Westley Wade was born pre-maturely at 28 weeks due to complications with pre-eclampsia. In this image, his adoring parents were just told that depending on test results their baby who weighed less than 2 pounds could potentially need heart surgery. As his parents emotionally looked down at him through cords and wires, this warrior new born (4 day old) baby boy Westley shot his hand up straight for them as if to let them know, that everything would in fact, be alright. Gratefully, it was and is. Westley is now 10 pounds 9 oz at 4.5 months and continues to amaze everyone who crosses his path.

(Photo and caption by Yosuke Kashiwakura/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) The crows that live in Tokyo use clothes hangers to make nests. In such a large city, there are few trees, so the natural materials that crows need to make their nests are scarce. As a result, the crows occasionally take hangers from the people who live in apartments nearby, and carefully assemble them into nests. The completed nests almost look like works of art based on the theme of recycling. 

(Photo and caption by Teruo Araya/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) "OMOHARA" is not only a geographical crossing of Omotesando and Harajuku, but also variety of styles and culture are come and go. Omotesando is town of adults where high brand's buildings put together the eaves. On the other hand, Harajuku is town of young where born the new culture. OMOHARA is a place that new culture and old culture are fusion. And leading the art and culture of Japan always. 

(Photo and caption by Riccardo Criseo/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) I have spent the entire summer to chase thunderstorms all around Italy. I usually stand in front of the camera, to modify the parameters according to lighting's distance and intensity. This time I was in a very dangerous situation, I was completely surrounded by lightings so I choose to leave the camera on the tripod shooting in automatic mode. I spent about 15 minutes on the floor, as far as I could from any conducting material, and I protected my eyes and my ears hoping for the best. When I finally looked to the pictures I was very impressed by the size and intensity of the storm. 

(Photo and caption by Vincent Truchet/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) An alfredi manta ray came close to me with her mouth open on a cleaning station area.

(Photo and caption by Patrick Cullis/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) Snow-capped peaks of the Continental Divide stretch across the landscape west of Denver, Colorado. From 86,000 feet the Moon shines bright against the inky black of the stratosphere while in the foreground Interstate-70 carves its way up the valley toward high alpine passes and the famous ski resorts of Colorado. 

(Photo and caption by Graham McGeorge/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) Eastern Screech Owls like to take over woodpecker nests that have been dug out over the years in pine trees, which are the main species of tree at this swamp. Fish and wildlife also paint a white ring around the base of a tree that has active nests in order to avoid when conducting controlled burns. Screech owls can range in height anywhere from 8-10 inches, so you have to have a sharp eye to find these little birds of prey. I spent the first few weeks of April this year photographing the grey morph screech owl that was living in the nest and had no idea there were three owlets inside.

(Photo and caption by Christopher Port/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) Our two-year-old son playing in the dirt with our dog Raine. 

(Photo and caption by Andrew Lever/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) I was driving along the beach highway when i noticed the bulls sunbathing on the empty beach. I initially thought i was seeing things,but no it really was sunbathing cows !! I had to park my car a fair distance away and that meant a long walk along the beach in 35 degree heat. It did not matter because i had to get the shot ! When i got closer to them i was careful not to spook them so i crawled on my stomach on the hot sand to get a good picture of them. Mission Accomplished ! It was worth the effort !

(Photo and caption by Sergio Amiti/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) The name of the nun is Suor Rosalba, which literally could mean Pink Sunrise. The hot sulphur waters of this lake made for an ideal early morning natural spa. I met Suor Rosalba as she was standing in the spa waters in the dark well before sunrise, we talked for a while and then the picture shows her leaving to go the first Mass of the day. Taken in Sirmione, Lake Garda, Italy. 

(Photo and caption by Dennis Oswald/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) An EF-4 tornado rips through the open space of farmland near Rozel, Kansas. This tornado moves slowly but powerful towards the setting sun an gets its beautiful color right before sunset. Storm Chasers are spotting on the left side. 

(Photo and caption by Amanda Rust/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) Every summer solstice, locals in Iceland hike the Skogar to Thorsmork trail. Taking nearly 8 hours to complete, you can approach Thorsmork right as the sun starts to "rise" again. A few fellow hikers up ahead navigate the steep terrain. 

(Photo and caption by Toni Pfaffenbauer/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) A brown bear shaking off its wet fur 

(Photo and caption by Greg Lincoln/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) A beautiful red fox is photographed with the Aurora Borealis outside of Bethel, Alaska. This shot was taken during a spectacular display of the northern lights. 

(Photo and caption by Erik Mandre/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) The picture is captured using special hide placed to the primeval forest in Finland. High trees offer protection to the brown bear cubs being vitally important to survive from all dangers around them. Bear cubs are threatened especially by the other male bears, who might attack and take their lives without any doubt. Thus fast climbing on tree is one of the most important skills for bear cubs in order to survive and they are always ready for it.

(Photo and caption by Teruo Araya/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) Taken at Mishima town in Fukushima pref. The first train goes across the railway bridge through in morning mist. The train moves forward little by little slowly. I thought, this sight has expressed the Fukushima people defying to recover from the earthquake and nuclear accident. But it is the uncertain endless journey.

(Photo and caption by Harjen Woltjer/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) When you study the flower of life, you will begin to see that all life is build in spirals. The golden mean is based on the (infinite) pi ratio, where life is build in the fibonacci sequence (1 1=2 1=3 2=5 3=8 5=etc) because of the need of a starting point. You will see that this last sequence is progressing, it is getting closer towards the golden ratio, fluctuating around this perfect blueprint, or, as you will, growing back to the divine order. Next to this, this is a clear cut case of showing that what you eat is what you become!

(Photo and caption by Mehmet Karaca/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) Kahramanmaras 

(Photo and caption by Scott Bechtel/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) While photographing hummingbirds in British Columbia I shot this male Rufous just as he fanned out to show his authority when another male Rufous appeared over my head. 

(Photo and caption by Prashant Meswani/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) This was taken early morning whilst at Richmond Park in Late October. 

(Photo and caption by Dan Sedran/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) I found this fissure while hiking with my brother one day, and scaled down into it and explore around. 

(Photo and caption by Sam Morris/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) During a regular trip through the forest, of which my actual intent was landscapes, I encountered this stunning little Red Fox. The moment came as the light broke through the clouds and trees, he turned with a glance of curiosity and gave me the unusual composition I was after. A scene I'll never be lucky enough to see again in my life, so was over the moon i'd managed to capture the moment. Thetford Forest, England. 

(Photo and caption by Melih Sular/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) This area known as ‚ank r salt cave and believed that, its operated by Hittites (3000 BC), since 5000 years. This area has the largest rock salt reserve in Turkey.This area stated 25 km. east from ‚ank r and rock salt production made by the mining method, room and pillar system. Although a relatively narrow entrance gallery, the galleries where production made resembles highway tunnels. Salt cavities, 400 m. under the earths crust, thick of blood vessel, separated orderly room and pillars.pillars. In other words, parallel galleries designed in salt cavities.

(Photo and caption by Barathieu Gabriel/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) This is a baby humpback whale. He was born in september 2013 

(Photo and caption by Majed Ali/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) We just want to move to search to the Leopard at that morning but we found a group of giraffes come toward a small lake and start drinking it was a nice moment when the Giraffe finish from drinking and leave a letters S with motion in the air 

(Photo and caption by Antonio Chiumenti/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) Carezza lake is a pearl of the Dolomiti. Nestled between an ancient forest of grand firs and the Latemar mountain is place of legends and beautyÉa nymph lives under its emerald waters. I threw a little stone in the water to add a little mystery to the scene. 

(Photo and caption by Leslie Scopes Anderson/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) The Nile Crocodile made this a risky place for a Grey Heron to fish! 

(Photo and caption by Max Seigal/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) A long penguin standing in the surf on South Georgia Island. 

(Photo and caption by Douglas Croft/National Geographic Photo Contest - www.ngphotocontest.com) The sun had dipped below the clouds but still above the horizon, painting the face of Half Dome and the walls of Tenaya Canyon with amazing light. 

다리가 절단된 아프카니스탄 참전 용사의 걷기 연습 : After Afghanistan: Learning to Walk Again

Matt Krumwiede is a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Last year, while on patrol in southern Afghanistan, he stepped on an improvised explosive device. Fifteen pounds of explosive tore into his body, destroying both his legs and badly damaging his torso and left arm. Medics on the scene and a quick Medevac flight saved his life but started him on a long, painful journey toward recovery. More than a year later, he has undergone around 40 surgeries and is now learning to walk with prosthetic legs. His end goal is to once again be a soldier in the infantry. Reuters photographer Shamil Zhumatov, who was embedded with Sgt. Krumwiede's regiment last year, happened to be present on the day he stepped on the IED and took several photos of the immediate aftermath, including the painful impact on both Sgt. Krumwiede and his uninjured comrades who remained in the field. Earlier this year, Reuters photographer Jim Urquhart started meeting up with Sgt. Krumwiede, documenting his recovery in Texas -- his support system of therapists, family, and friends, and the daily trials of recovering from such a traumatic set of injuries. This entry is part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan. 

Sgt. Matt Krumwiede of the U.S. Army takes a phone call as his hand is massaged by his mother Pam Krumwiede, after being admitted for an infection at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on November 4, 2013. On June 12, 2012, Krumwiede was on patrol in Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED, which tore away both his legs, damaged his left arm, and ripped open his abdominal cavity. The 22-year-old has since undergone around 40 surgeries and is learning to walk with prosthetic legs. He is keen to re-join the infantry as soon as his injuries allow.(Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

The day before: U.S. Army soldier Sgt. Matt Krumwiede, from the 5-20 Infantry Regiment attached to 82nd Airborne Division, walks while on patrol in Zharay district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, on June 11, 2012. The next day, Krumwiede was on patrol when he stepped on an IED. (Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov)

A U.S. Army soldier secures an area as his colleague treats Sgt. Matt Krumwiede, wounded by an IED in southern Afghanistan, on June 12, 2012. (Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov)

Soldiers secure the area, while a medic treats Sgt. Matt Krumwiede shortly after he stepped on the IED, on June 12, 2012.(Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov) 

Soldiers carry a badly wounded Sgt. Matt Krumwiede towards a Blackhawk Medevac helicopter in southern Afghanistan, on June 12, 2012.(Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov)

Soldiers carry Sgt. Matt Krumwiede into a Blackhawk Medevac helicopter, on June 12, 2012. (Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov)

A soldier reacts as he sits inside an armored vehicle after his comrade, Sgt. Matt Krumwiede, was wounded by an IED, on June 12, 2012.(Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov)

A blood-covered M4 rifle, belonging to Sgt. Matt Krumwiede, lies on the ground in southern Afghanistan, on June 12, 2012.(Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov)

Soldiers react after their comrade Sgt. Matt Krumwiede was wounded by an IED, on June 12, 2012.

Back in the States, a year later: Sgt. Matt Krumwiede (front row, white shirt) lines up for morning formation at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on August 1, 2013.

Krumwiede makes his way to the entrance of the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on August 1, 2013.(Reuters/Jim Urquhart) 

Krumwiede attaches his prosthetic leg before practicing walking with physical therapist Troy Hopkins at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on August 1, 2013. 

Krumwiede practices walking with prosthetic legs, assisted by physical therapist Troy Hopkins, at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center, on August 1, 2013. 

Walking practice at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center, on August 1, 2013. 

Occupational therapist Kelley Wells works with Krumwiede, who is playing a drumming videogame during occupational therapy at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center, on August 1, 2013.

Krumwiede plays a drumming videogame during occupational therapy at the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on August 1, 2013. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

On November 2, 2013, Krumwiede pulls himself up into a truck at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas.(Reuters/Jim Urquhart) 

Sgt. Matt Krumwiede is handed a shotgun during a skeet shooting event at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, on November 2, 2013. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

Krumwiede waits to shoot during a skeet shooting event, on November 2, 2013. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

Sgt. Matt Krumwiede sits in a jeep as he hunts with his friend Sgt. Jesse McCart at a hunting ranch outside San Antonio, on November 2, 2013. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

Krumwiede hunts with his friend Sgt. Jesse McCart at a hunting ranch outside San Antonio, on November 2, 2013.(Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

Krumwiede and his friend Sgt. Jesse McCart drive through a hunting ranch outside San Antonio, on November 2, 2013.(Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

Matt Krumwiede has a wound tended to by his mother Pam, after a day of hunting at a ranch outside San Antonio, Texas, on November 3, 2013. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

Pam Krumwiede massages the damaged hand of her son, Matt, after he was admitted to treat an infection at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, on November 4, 2013. The 22-year-old has since undergone around 40 surgeries in the year since he stepped on an IED, and is learning to walk with prosthetic legs. He is keen to re-join the infantry as soon as his injuries allow. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

일본 온천 여행

<블로그여행기>

가을인가 싶더니 계절은 순식간에 옷을 갈아입었다. 모처럼 사둔 가을 외투를 몇 번 입어보지도 못한 채, 11월 중순부터 몰아치던 칼바람은 급기야 서울에 첫눈까지 데려왔다. 

출근길 얼어붙은 아침 공기 사이로 하얀 입김이 번질 때,  퇴근길 골목 어귀의 붕어빵이나 군고구마 냄새가 유혹할 때 '겨울'이 왔음을 실감한다. 아직 낙엽도 다 지지 않았는데 말이다.

겨울이 되면 몸도 마음도 둔해져서 만사가 귀찮다. 밤이 길어질수록 아침에 일어나는 것은 점점 힘들어진다. 맨손을 내어놓으면 꽁꽁 얼어붙고마는 요즘, 절실히 떠오르는게 있다. 바로 추위를 노곤히 녹여주는 따뜻한 '온천'이다.

지금 상상해보라. 뽀얀 수증기 모락모락 피어나는 뜨끈한 노천온천을. 몸은 식빵 위 버터처럼 노곤노곤 녹아내리는 가운데, 물 밖으로 드러난 얼굴과 머리엔 차갑고 가벼운 바람이 스치듯 불어온다.

투명한 겨울 공기를 천천히 들이마쉬며 온천탕에 비스듬히 기대니 눈 앞엔  눈꽃 피어난 겨울 산이 병풍처럼 펼쳐져있다. 그러고보니 어느새 눈이 내리기 시작했다. 소록소록 쌓이는 눈을 바라보며 따뜻한 온천에 상념을 씻어낸다.

체온이 뜨끈히 달아오르면 밖에 나가 맛있는 음식을 먹으며 시원한 맥주 한 잔 들이켤 계획이다. 그 다음엔 폭신한 이불에 드러누워 보고싶었던 책도 좀 읽고 휴대폰에 담아온 영화도 좀 봐야지. 귤 하나 까먹으며 밀린 수다를 나눠도 좋겠다. 어차피 겨울밤은 길고, 나는 지금 휴가 중이니까.

내가 상상한 나의 '겨울 온천여행'은 대략 이런 풍경이다. 한없이 게으르고 스스로에게 관대한 시간. 수고한 나의 1년을 토닥이고 다가올 새해를 반기는 시간. 사실 진정 힐링이 필요한 것은 지금 이 시기가 아니던가.

나와 같은 당신에게 추천하는 오늘의 여행은, 온천. 그 중에서도 주말에 훌쩍 다녀올 수 있는 '온천의 나라' 일본 여행을 소개하고자 한다.

# 1. 설탕 雪湯 온천을 꿈꾼다면 홋카이도 

▲ 아는 사람만 안다는 홋카이도의 온천마을 기타유자와, 명수정(메이스이테이) 료칸

'눈 내리는 노천온천'에 대한 로망이 있다면 역시 홋카이도(北海道 북해도)다. 열도 최북단에 위치해 가장 긴 겨울과 가장 많은 강설량을 자랑하는 이 땅은, 특히 겨울에 환상적인 설경을 만날 수 있는 곳이다. 맛있는 음식 많기로도 소문난 지역답게 다양한 특산물이 있어 몸도 마음도 배부르게 살 찌울 수 있는 절호의 기회랄까?

▲ 노보리벳츠 온천의 '호텔 마호로바'

홋카이도의 다양한 온천마을 중 가장 인지도가 높은 곳은 단연 '노보리벳츠' 하루 1만톤 이상의 온천수가 쏟아지는 대규모의 온천 마을이 형성되어 일본인들에게도 '온천 여행지'로서 인기 만점이다. 또 주변에 '지다이무라'와 같은 민속촌이 있어 즐길거리가 풍부하기도 하다. 

▲ 삿포로에서 가장 가까운 온천마을 '죠잔케이'의 설경

혹시 짧은 일정으로 머무른다면 삿포로에서 가장 가까운 온천마을  '죠잔케이'도 추천한다. 삿포로에서 편도 1시간 거리로, 당일치기로도 다녀올 수 있는 온천마을이기에 편리하게 이용할 수 있다. 일본의 전설 속 요괴 '캇파'가 트레이드마크로, 아기자기한 매력이 있는 소박한 온천마을이다.

그 밖에도 바다처럼 넓은 도야 호수를 바라보며 온천욕을 즐길 수 있는 '도야 온천' 또한 인기. 시리도록 눈부신 겨울 설원과 따뜻한 온천욕이 공존하는 지역, 홋카이도는 역시 겨울에 가장 주목받는 온천 여행지 중 하나다.

# 2. 가까운 힐링, 규슈

▲ 구로카와 온천

도쿄보다 부산이 더 가까운 규슈. 이곳은 원래부터 '온천'으로 명성을 떨치던 지역인 만큼 온천 베스트셀러가 모두 모여있다. 지옥 온천 순례로 유명한 벳부부터, 미인온천으로 소문난 우레시노,  검은 모래 찜질이 유명한 이부스키 등 선택의 폭이 넓어 골라갈 수 있다.

그러나 이곳에도 넘버원으로 손꼽히는 아름다운 온천마을이 있으니, 바로 구로카와 온천이 그 주인공. 물과 숲이 어우러져 평화롭고 목가적인 풍경이 펼쳐지는 이곳은 일본에서도 매해 사랑받는 온천치 TOP 5에 손꼽히는 곳이다.

이곳은 후쿠오카에서 차를 타고 3시간 30분 거리의 구마모토현 아소 주변에 위치하였으며, 관광지 특유의 소란스러움을 배제하고 아늑하면서 전통적인 마을 풍경을 조성해놓아 마치 일본 애니매이션에서 본 듯한 아기자기함을 느낄 수 있는 곳이다.

해발 700미터 높이의 좁은 계곡을 따라 작고 아담한 료칸들이 옹기종기 자리잡아
조용한 힐링 여행지를 찾는 여행자들이 선호한다.

▲ 유후인 온천마을

앞서 소개한 구로카와가 마치 재야의 고수처럼 '아는 사람들만 아는' 장소인 것에 비해 '규슈 온천'하면 딱 떠오르는 대표적인 곳이 있다. 바로 유후인과 벳부다. 다양한 관광상품이 개발되어 이미 우리나라에서도 일본 여행 좀 했다 하는 사람들은 모두 다녀온 곳이랄까.

특히 아기자기한 온천마을로 사랑받는 유후인은 새벽 물안개가 자욱하게 피어오르는 긴린코 호수와 함께 둘러보기 좋으며, 후쿠오카에서 접근하기 좋고 레스토랑이나 쇼핑몰과 같은 편의시설이 잘 갖추어져있어 자유여행으로 떠나기에 좋다. 

현재 유후인의 인기 료칸으로는 호테이야, 호타루 등이 있으며 그 밖에도 합리적인 가격에 높은 만족도를 느낄 수 있는 료칸이 많다.

# 3.  더 알찬 여행을 원한다면, 간사이

▲ 교토 후시미이나리 신사 (http://getabout.hanatour.com/archives/151008)

오사카, 교토, 고베 등 걸출한 관광지가 옹기종기 모여있는 간사이(관서) 지역만큼 즐길거리 풍부한 여행지가 또 있을까? 화려한 도시 오사카, 전통과 역사가 느껴지는 교토, 낭만적인 항구도시 고베… 그 개성도 뚜렷한 간사이 여행에 온천을 더한다면 휴식과 관광을 동시에 손에 넣고픈 욕심쟁이 여행자들에게 딱 알맞는 코스가 될 것이다. 게다가 간사이 지방 역시 전국에서 손꼽히는 유명 온천지역이 있으니… 바로 일본 3대 온천으로서, 오랜 역사를 자랑하는 '아리마'다.

▲ 아리마 온천

아니 그런데, 물 색깔이 왜 이러냐고? 뜨악하는 것도 무리가 아니다. 마치 흙탕물처럼 누런빛을 띠는 이 온천은 이래뵈도 아리마의 상징. 철과 염분이 풍부하여 이런 빛깔을 띠는 것인데, 일본에서는 3대 명탕, 3대 약탕으로 손꼽힐만큼 높은 효능을 자랑한다고 한다.

그 소문을 듣고 전국 각지는 물론 세계 각지에서도 온천 순회를 오는 사람들이 있다고 하니, 이쯤되면 '흙탕'이 아니라 '금탕'인 셈. 실제로 이 온천의 이름은 황금 '금'자를 쓰는 킨노유(金の湯)다. 아리마 온천은 누런빛을 띠는 금탕과 투명한 은탕으로 나뉘는데, 투명한 은탕, 긴노유(銀の湯)의 경우 탄산염이 풍부해 고혈압에 좋다고 하니 솔깃한 정보가 아닐 수 없다.

일본의 흥미로운 목욕문화  

남녀혼탕의 진실종종 일본 온천을 다니다보면 커~다란 온천탕을 남녀 공용으로 쓰는 곳을 볼 수가 있다. 이른바 소문 무성한 '남녀혼탕'이 이것이다. 그러나 단어에서 비롯되는 야릇함과는 달리 실상은 매우 가족적이고 건전한 분위기인 것이 나름의 반전.

실제로는 커다란 수건으로 몸을 감싸고 들어가며 워낙 넓고 탁 트인 온천이기에 좁은 공간에서 마주치거나 살이 맞닿는 경우는 당연히 없으며, 서로 주변을 그다지 의식하지 않으며 굳이 시선을 주지도 않는 것이 매너. 그래서 뭇 사람들이 실망(?)을 했다는 우스갯소리도 전해진다.

요즘은 이러한 혼탕이 점점 사라지는 추세라서 남녀 온천탕을 분리하고 있지만 아직도 전통을 고수하는 온천에는 혼탕이 남아있다. 분리가 어려운 온천탕은 남녀 각자 입욕 가능한 시간을 달리 정해 놓는 경우도 있으니 미리 잘 알아보고 가는 것이 좋겠다.

우리와 다른 목욕문화 일본의 목욕문화는 우리나라처럼 탕에서 '때를 불려' 벗겨내는 것이 아니라, 탕 밖에서 몸을 깨끗하게 씻고 들어와 따뜻한 물에서 '쉬는' 개념. 그래서 가족끼리는 하루에 한 번 따뜻한 물을 받아두고 순서대로 돌아가며 목욕하는 풍습을 가지고 있다.

고온다습한 환경 때문에 자연스레 목욕 문화가 발달한 일본은 '목욕'을 그저 몸을 깨끗하게 하기 위한 행위로 여기지 않는다. 목욕을 '마음의 세탁'이라고 부를 만큼, 하루 일과가 끝나면 편안하게 욕조에 드러누워 마무리하는 것을 풍류로 여기는 정서가 있는 것이다. 게다가 곳곳에 온천수가 샘솟으니, 자연스럽게 온천여행이며 료칸 등이 각 지역마다 발달한 셈이다.

물론 료칸 온천여행은 일본에서도 제법 호화로운 여행이다. 료칸 자체가 그 옛날, 영주가 머무르는 동안 대접하기 위한 장소였기 때문. 좀 더 서민적인 장소로는 대중목욕탕인 '센토(錢湯)'가 있다.

▲ 아키타의 뉴토 온천

이처럼 흥미로운 목욕문화를 바탕으로 일본에는 온천이 참 많다. 알짜배기 온천지역만 고르고 골라 소개해도 지면이 부족할 정도다. 유명한 온천 만큼이나 전통 료칸도 많아, 취향대로 예산대로 다양하게 골라갈 수 있으니 조금만 알아보면 근사한 온천여행을 즐길 수 있다. 나를 설레게 하는 또 다른 겨울, 온천. 혼자서도, 둘이서도, 여럿이서도 좋은 온천여행으로 이 계절 더욱 따뜻하고 포근하게 보내길 바라며. 나도 지금부터 나만의 겨울휴가를 준비해야겠다. 

글·사진 제공 :