Dake Onsen Soranoniwa Resort

Travel journal of day trip bathing to hot spring

Characters

Nishi-san: He is an orthodox hot springs lover and particular about quality of springs. He loves the hot springs flowing from the source, the hot water with a presence, and the rustic atmosphere.

Kita-san: He doesn't care much about quality of hot springs. He loves the open-air bath, and prefers hot springs that have visible features such as good views.

One day in December near the end of the year. Today's hot spring is Dake Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture. It takes about 25 minutes by bus from Nihonmatsu Station to Dake Onsen. For now, Nishi-san and Kita-san who have come to the last stop "Dake Onsen Bus Stop" and taken off the bus.

Main street of Dake Onsen

Around here is the center of Dake Onsen?

I think so. This is the main street.

It's a pretty good street. On the other hand, it's so neat that doesn't look like a hot spring town.

Well, let's put it off later to see what kind of shops there are. For the time being, don't you go to Soranoniwa?

That's why they have come to Soranoniwa Resort.

Exterior

Oh, I thought it was a hotel for the rich because called resort, but unexpectedly it's not, you know. As far as seeing exterior.

Exactly. But the charge may be high. Just taking a bath costs around 2,000 yen ...?

The bathing charge for a day trip is 600 yen for adults.

Inexpensive!

Nishi-san and Kita-san heading straight to the bathing room.

Indoor bath

Wow, is the water blue? No, little greenish?

And it's cloudy. Looks like a great water.

For now, take a bathtub.

Oh! It's Yunohana that looked white! It's a so large amount of Yunohana ...

Really. This hot water looks a bit like Takayu Onsen.

♨ Dake Onsen is an old hot spring as described in the 9th century literature. It was often hit by disasters such as landslides and fires, moving and rebuilding each time. Current Dake Onsen has moved to its present location in 1906.

Exactly. They are close geographically. So the taste is ... oh, sour! In short, it's acidic.

It has a special feeling. As for hot water, it looks like a rich resort hotel.

It's such a nice hot water, but the charge is inexpensive. What a nice hot spring!

Oh!? My skin has been coated with Yunohana when I got out of water. Somehow, it might be good ...

Speaking of which, I've seen something said that Dake Onsen was popular as "Hot water for beautiful skin". It might be perfect for a girls trip.

Next, they go to the open-air bath.

Open-air bath

Oh! ... What? Hmm ...

How? This open-air bath?

Well, ... um, it's nice that spacious. But the bathtub is a little smaller than expected ...

So? As expected, you have a strict evaluation of the open-air bath.

Hot water spout of the Open-air bath

Yeah. And, the view isn't bad, but it's not good ... That building is in the way.

Exactly. It's winter now, so the trees are dead. It might be different in the season when the mountains are greener.

Indeed, that's true. But this clear blue sky may be because it's winter. If you want to see the sky while taking a hot spring, a sunny winter day may be the best. ... No, it's definitely best in winter. No doubt.

The sky seen from the open-air bath

After all, it was a good decision to be here in winter. And, it's easy to look the sky in this bathtub, I guess.

The temperature is just right. This is perfect for a long bath, you know.

Nishi-san and Kita-san who have gone out of the bath after fully enjoying the hot spring and the blue sky.

Lobby

It was a so good bath, you know.

Exactly. And, I thought that acidic water was irritating to the skin, but the water here is completely the opposite. It's a little unexpected.

True. I have the feeling that Yunohana makes my skin smooth.

What they say it's "Hot water for beautiful skin" may not be a lie ...

Nishi-san and Kita-san took a leisurely break in the lobby. Then, they've gone back to the main street of Dake Onsen, and headed for a walk in the hot spring town. (→ Continue to Dake Onsen Dakenoyu)

(December 2019)

♨ About Takayu Onsen, see "Tamagoyu" and "Attakayu".

Impression & rating

The water is acidic but gentle on the skin. The presence of hot water is outstanding, as it is slightly greenish and has a slightly sweet smell.

3.5 pt

Impression & rating

The open-air bath is a little small and the view is not good, but the spacious feeling is pretty good. You can relax while looking the sky.

3.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address: 1-197-2, Dake-onsen, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Pref.
Phone: domestic: 0243-24-2306
international: +81-243-24-2306
Website: Soranoniwa Resort
Day trip bathing hours: 10:30 - 15:00
(Last entry at 14:00) [Ceramic bed bathing]
10:30 - 20:00
(Last entry at 19:00)
Regular holiday: Irregular holidays
Charge: Adults: ¥ 600 / Elementary school students: ¥ 300 / Under elementary school students: free
[Ceramic bed bathing]
¥ 1,200 for 60 min
Baths: Gender-separated indoor bath, Gender-separated open-air bath, Female-only ceramic bed bath, Mixed ceramic bed bath
Facilities: There are valuables lockers in the undressing room. (free of charge)
There are lockers in the corridor. (free of charge)

The hot spring data
(According to hot spring analysis report etc.)

(Survey date: Jun. 16, 2009)

Spring quality: Simple acid spring (Hypotonic Acidic High temperature spring)
Source: Dake Onsen Motoyu
(Mixed springs of the 5 source hot springs. Sampled water from notch tank.)
1-2, 1-3, 2-2, 3-2 and 3-3, Aza-Motoyu, Nagata, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Pref.
Temperature: 56.7 ℃ (134.1 ℉)
[air temperature: 14 ℃ (57.2 ℉)]
Volume: 1,290 L / min (Natural spring, As total usage of mixed springs)
pH value: 2.5
Total ingredients: 0.6328 g / kg
Perception: It is colorless and odorless with a slight cloudiness and strong sourness. A slight white precipitate is observed.

Today's Ekiben

Torimeshi with Iwashita's fresh ginger

(Purchased at Utsunomiya Station)

This is a collaboration ekiben of "fresh ginger" and "torimeshi", the representative products of Iwashita and Matsunoya. It's a full Bento of fresh ginger, they are using fresh ginger in both rice and side dishes. The refreshing feeling of fresh ginger has a good accent of the tasting. You will be surprised at how effective this is. The presence of fresh ginger is amazing. This ekiben is recommended.

« menu »
Iwashita's fresh ginger mixed rice with egg soboro and chicken soboro, with Iwashita's fresh ginger / Deep-fried chicken with Iwashita's fresh ginger / Chicken meatball with Iwashita's fresh ginger sweet and sour sauce / Pink seasoned egg (Iwashita-ish marinated quail egg) / Iwashita-ish marinated carrot and marinated walnut mustard

(¥ 950) ( Iwashita Foods、 Matsunoya)

The descriptions on this page contain personal opinions and are not necessarily objective facts.
The information may have changed at present. In particular, the charge and price etc. has often not updated from the time of travel, so check the latest information on the official website.

TRAIN ONSEN Travel Journals to Hot Springs in Japan