Onsen de relax - How about relaxing at Japanese Onsen ?
This is a blog by thmiyake about various Japanese hot springs I visited. Many of them are combination with short trips, daily climbing etc especially around Kanto area.
Onsen de relax - How about relaxing at Japanese Onsen ?
This is a blog by thmiyake about various Japanese hot springs I visited. Many of them are combination with short trips, daily climbing etc especially around Kanto area.
After enjoying some skiing at Engaru Rock Valley Ski Resort, I wandered around the Yubetsu and Lake Saroma area, but ended up completely chilled to the bone. Normally, on the way back to Higashikawa I would head to Maure Sanso at Maruseppu Onsen, but this time I remembered Setose Onsen, which I had looked up before and found intriguing, and saw that it seemed to offer day-use bathing—so I decided to give it a try.
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During my winter stay in Higashikawa, I brought Japanese snowshoes (wakan) to enjoy walking on the snow, so I thought I might be able to visit Hagoromo Falls as well and headed to Tenninkyo. However, unlike Asahidake, there were fewer tourists, and snow removal on the road stopped at Oyado Shikishimaso. Beyond that point, the road was completely closed, even to pedestrians. There is a bridge over the Chubetsu River beyond the closure, but the snow was so deep that even if walking had been allowed, it felt far too dangerous—I could easily imagine falling off. For a moment I considered heading back to Asahidake and my usual stop, Yukomansō, but since I had been already there many times, I decided to enjoy Tenninkyo Onsen instead.
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For my first visit to Rishiri Island, I planned to stay for several days, so I wanted to choose a hotel with a hot spring. While researching, I learned that there is only one ryokan on Rishiri and Rebun Islands that offers 100% free-flowing hot spring water, and that this spring is considered one of the finest bicarbonate springs in Japan. With that, staying at Hotel Rishiri was an easy decision.
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During my stay in Higashikawa Town, I usually take the opportunity to enjoy the nearby hot springs of Asahidake, Tenninkyo, Shirokane, or Tokachidake. However, while chatting with a friend, I wondered if there might be a good onsen a little closer. That’s when they introduced me to Tatsunoyu Onsen, a brown-hued, warming hot spring in Higashi-Asahikawa. Naturally, I had to check it out.
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Although I visit Hokkaido a few times a year, I rarely make it up to the northern regions. This time, I decided to visit Bifuka and Otoineppu again after a long time. While looking for a place to relax and wash off my sweat, I discovered Teshio River Onsen. I realized I don’t have much experience with cold mineral springs in Hokkaido, but I found it to be quite a nice bath.
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I didn’t come here specifically for the hot springs, but I thought it would be a unique experience to watch a baseball game at the tower eleven hotel. Here, you can enjoy both hot springs and saunas while watching a baseball game, which is likely a one-of-a-kind experience. During my visit, I relaxed in my room while watching the game and went to the hot springs afterward.
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The last time I visited the Shirogane Onsen Hotel for a day trip was nearly 20 years ago. I don’t know if I missed it back then or if it wasn’t open for tours, but I recently learned that there is a strikingly bright blue waterfall called Shirahige no Taki near the hot springs. So, this time, I drove from Higashi-kawa to see the waterfall and enjoy the hot springs.
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Two years ago, I stopped by Maure Sanso’s “Pokke no Yu” for a day-use hot spring and was impressed by the silky smooth water, the cleanliness of the facility, and the pleasant atmosphere. After visiting the Taushubetsu River Bridge from Nukabira Onsen, instead of heading straight to Higashikawa, I decided to take a little detour and stay at Maure Villa for a relaxing night.
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Nakamura-ya at Nukabira Onsen is one of the hot spring inns recommended by my friends who gather in Higashikawa. Every summer, I visit Higashikawa directly, but this year, instead of flying into Asahikawa Airport, I decided to come via Obihiro Airport and stop at Nukabira Onsen. I planned to stay at Nakamuraya and visit the Taushubetsu River Bridge before continuing on.
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In the summer, when I visit Higashikawa Town, I almost always go hiking at Mt. Asahidake with my kid. He’s gotten stronger recently and mentioned he could handle a more difficult hike, so we decided to try Mt. Tokachidake, which I’ve wanted to climb for a while. After hiking, Ryounkaku Onsen is the usual choice for a hot spring in this area, but since I’ve been there before, we decided to visit Fukiage Onsen this time, which is closer to the Bogakudai trailhead.
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