The world economy appears to be in free fall. Temperatures are plummeting toward zero, too. Work is stacking up perilously on the desk. Christmas celebrations and bonenkai (forget-the-year party) hangovers are setting in. Does this sound familiar?
Few modern urbanites are immune to the pain of yearend fatigue. But for residents of Japan there is at least one consolation: The country is home to one of the world's fastest-growing spa industries, offering a cornucopia of warming treats to ease the festive blues.
From four-handed massages with sprinklings of organic rose petals to minimalist onsen (hot-spring baths) perched on top of skyscrapers, Japan is emerging as a leading global player in the spa industry, as was confirmed this month with the publication of the "SpaFinder 2009 Directory Book."