[Access] About 40 minutes by car from Shin-Hanamaki Station
[Webpage] Iwate Hanamaki Onsenkyo: Namari Onsen Fujisan Ryokan (Japanese)

Shirozaru-no-Yu, known for its 1.3-meter-deep bath where natural hot spring water gushes up from the bottom, had always been on my list to visit. However, it’s not exactly the kind of place you can spontaneously drop by just for the onsen. With a small ski resort nearby and the idea of taking my child to see Chūson-ji Temple, I decided to combine those activities into a trip to Namari Onsen Fujisan Ryokan, home of Shirozaru-no-Yu.

What struck me first about Shirozaru-no-Yu was the natural unevenness of the bath floor. Since the water naturally gushes from the ground beneath the bath, it makes sense, but the well-constructed surroundings of the bath, as seen in photos, create a curious contrast. The onsen water is a simple alkaline spring, with a source temperature exceeding 50°C. However, thanks to the depth and size of the bath, the water temperature feels just right. As you stand while soaking, it might feel a bit less conducive to prolonged bathing, but the experience of enjoying a bath like this is truly one of a kind.

Katsura-no-Yu features an indoor bath and two open-air baths, one of which offers a close-up view of the river as you soak. Visiting in February during the heart of winter made for an incredible experience, with the added charm of enjoying the snowy scenery while relaxing in the warm bath.

Fujisan Ryokan is divided into two areas: the ryokan section and the toji (healing) section. In the toji section, guests can prepare their own meals (though they can also request the same meals offered in the ryokan). The rooms are simple, designed for long-term stays. At the entrance to the toji section, there is a sign detailing the recommended bathing methods for various health conditions. The hot spring has a total mineral content of 736.8 mg/kg, so it’s not particularly strong, and drinking the onsen water is possible. Instructions for drinking the water were also provided here, which might be useful in the ryokan section as well. Overall, the building exudes a wonderful atmosphere.

This area is deep in snow, and in front of Fujisan Ryokan, they melt the snow on the road by piping hot spring water through pipes and letting it flow out through holes in the pipes (the child is curious and peeking into it, haha). Still, this sign has a nice charm and looks great.

If Namari Onsen ski resort was not available, I might not have ventured all the way to Namari Onsen. Small, rural ski resorts like this one are often less crowded, with beginner courses available, making them perfect for skiing with children. It was also conveniently located just a short walk from the Fujisan Ryokan. Skiing and hot springs are a must-have combination, and thanks to this, I was finally able to enjoy the Shirozaru-no-Yu at Namari Onsen Fujisan Ryokan, even though it’s a bit far.