Perhaps your readers will be interested, he wrote.

Duncan Williams grew up in Japan. What he missed most after he left were Buddhist temples and onsen. Now he is back, finishing his Ph.D. dissertation for Harvard on Edo Period Buddhism. His research focuses on the long relationship between Buddhism and hot springs. You may think this is a topic of rather limited interest, but you would be wrong. There are enough experts on the subject to provide monthly speakers for the Kokusai Butokai, an international association for the study of Buddhism and hot springs, and to assemble an interested audience which comes not only for learning but also to enjoy an onsen session. Meetings are held alternately at two Tokyo onsen. First the bath, then the lecture. Obviously, it will be a relaxed environment.

You can join for 5,000 yen a year, an amount that will prove a good investment for those who attend the three meetings held at famous Buddhist-related onsen during the year since members receive a generous discount at the selected inn. The next trip will be to Yamagata this summer. Anyone can attend the meetings, although nonmembers will be responsible for onsen charges, food and drinks.