How to spring clean your body in Japan

Most of the time when we think of the phrase spring cleaning, it's household chores and organization that comes to mind. However, I think spring is a great time to reset your body, too! I know that over the winter in the snowy Niigata countryside my eating habits go straight to heavier foods, my activity levels slump, and I feel far less healthy overall.

If you're looking to "spring clean" your body in Japanese ways, these are a few of my suggestions!

Pic Credit: Masaaki Komori via Unsplash

Boost your veggie intake with sansai

I always feel better when I'm eating my vegetables, and spring is a great time for all things sansai (mountain vegetables). I wrote a guide here on City-Cost recently about how to forage for sansai – I'm fortunate to have neighbors who are very enthusiastic about this practice – but even if you don't live in a sansai-filled area you can often find these veggies at farmer's markets or even regular supermarkets. Many sansai are packed with nutritional benefits such as high fiber and minerals, making them a great addition to your springtime meal rotations.

Get out and enjoy nature

The April/May timeframe is probably my favorite period for outdoor activity in Japan. You've passed the cold of winter, but you're getting in before the heat and humidity of summer – plus you're avoiding the rainy season in there, too. Whether you want to engage in traditional Japanese nature + health practices like shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) or you'd prefer things like hiking or admiring seasonal flowers, I feel like getting out among the greenery helps the body and the mind reset and recalibrate!

Soak in an onsen for relaxation and health benefits

I also think spring is a nice time of year to head to an onsen, and we have quite a few onsen venues in our local area that offer daytime bathing passes for under 1000 yen –  I think that's pretty inexpensive for a relaxing day out, and certainly far, far less than what I'd expect to pay at a day spa or similar place back home! The benefits of the water for things like improving circulation, skin complexion, and muscle recovery all help with that "spring cleaning your body" feeling.

What other suggestions do you have for Japanese ways of "spring cleaning" your body at this time of year? Let me know in the comments below!