Explore Obama Onsen Cooling an egg while I wait for sunset over Tachibana Bay

As the sun sank toward the sea, I made my way to the shore at Obama Onsen. Looking out at Tachibana Bay from beneath the shelter, I watched a long band of sunset light stretch across the water. It was a June evening, and the sea breeze fluttered the sleeve of my cardigan. I’d been thinking of heading back a little earlier, but the moment I saw that light, I wanted to stay until the sun went down.

I held an egg cooked in hot spring steam. I’d heard Hotto Futto 105 at Obama Onsen had steam-cooking pots, so I cooked one there and brought it along. Once I’d peeled it, I set it on a piece of paper and adjusted my grip. I wanted to take a bite right away, but I blew gently on it and waited for it to cool.

After a bite, I looked up and noticed the band of light on the water seemed lower than before. Even in that short time, the sun had moved on. In my pink dress with a cardigan layered over it, I drew the hand holding my egg back to my chest and gazed out at the water. With the sunset right in front of me and an egg in my hand, I couldn’t rush either one.

Hotto Futto 105, the seaside footbath, takes its name from the hot spring’s source temperature of 105°C and is 105 m long. Knowing I could soak my feet while looking out over the sea made me want to take my time there on my next visit. Today, I stood and ate an egg while looking out to sea. Even that felt like a way to enjoy both the hot springs and the ocean view.

Once I’d finished the rest of the egg, I folded up the paper. When it was no longer warm in my hand, I became more aware of the breeze coming in off the sea. I pulled my cardigan closed and turned toward Tachibana Bay once more. Although the sun had sunk lower, its light still lingered on the water. I wanted to see what came next, so I stayed there a while longer.

While I waited for the sunset, I found myself thinking about what I’d like to eat next in the hot spring town. The steam-cooking pots can be used for vegetables and seafood, too. Next time, I want to linger over the whole experience, starting with picking out ingredients. All I’d done was come to the shore and eat one egg, but by then I’d already found so many more ways I wanted to spend time in Obama Onsen.