TRAIN ONSEN Travel Journals to Hot Springs in Japan

For today's Onsen, Nishi-san and Kita-san had decided to visit to Takayu Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture, a little away from Tokyo. (This time, Kita-san made all the travel plans and checked the time of trains and buses.)
That's why in April when cherry blossoms were almost over in Tokyo, Nishi-san and Kita-san had been going north on the JR Tohoku Line toward Fukushima Station. However, as approaching Fukushima Station, the weather seemed to be getting worse ...

Well, it looks like bad ... Oh, it's raining.

It was not a rain mark in the weather news ... Anyway, it will stop soon. And, we'll take a bus from Fukushima station.

Ah, next is a bus, you've researched well. By bus, We'll not have to walk in the rain ... Oh! it's not rain but snow!

It's strange. Weather news didn't say it rain. Well, It'll not be heavy snow.

In spite of the weather forecast, when they arrived at Fukushima Station, the snow was falling heavily.

It's heavy! Snow!

In April, but it's amazing snow! That's Tohoku! But the bus seems to be working fine, there is no problem.

That's true, getting to Takayu Onsen by bus, we'll not walk so much in the snow ...

Around Kamiubado bus stop

The bus didn't go to Takayu Onsen, but ended at Kamiubado Bus Stop on the way.

Huh?! Stop here?! Doesn't go to Takayu Onsen? This bus!

Not go, so we are walking from here.

Walking!? In this snow!? There is no bus going to Takayu Onsen!?

Next bus is going, but not in time for Tamagoyu. Well, it's only an hour's walk. And, we're lucky to see such a snowy landscape in April, you know. Don't you feel like you've got to Great snow country!?

Are you serious ... In this snow, I have to walk ...

Kita-san was feeling more excited by seeing the snowy landscape, but Nishi-san was feeling a bit down. They had begun to go up the road leading to Takayu Onsen. There was no snow on the asphalt road, but the surrounding scenery was the great snowy landscape.

Road to Takayu Onsen

Oh, it's a black-and-white world. I haven't seen such a snow scene for a long time. It's got to be snowing in winter! Speaking of snow, did snow fall in Tokyo this year?

... I don't know ...

In Tokyo, it doesn't snow so hard ... Oh? Doesn't it smell of sulfur? Isn't Takayu Onsen near?

... If you say that, it smells.

Arriving at Ryokan Tamagoyu was 1:58 pm and just before the bathing reception ends.

Ryokan Tamagoyu Exterior

Arrived! In time! It's a snow-view bath today!

... My shoes are soaked and cold ...

Ok, ok, so let's get into the hot spring. Let's go!

Oh! Wait a minute!

Ryokan Tamagoyu has a large indoor bath on the 4th floor and open-air baths in the garden outside the 1st floor. First, Nishi-san and Kita-san headed to the garden on the first floor. Of course the snow was still falling. Well, when they went out to the garden ...

Ryokan Tamagoyu Garden

Wow! What a great snow scene ...

It's piled up more than expected. Or maybe, it's down too much ...

Just in front of the garden, there are a thatched small hut.

Bath hut Tamagoyu Exterior

Hmm? What is this hut? Whatever, going to the open-air bath ....

Wait a minute! This is the original Tamagoyu, seems like. First here.

Oh, it's true. It shows Tamagoyu. I see, this is it!

Bath hut Tamagoyu is an old-fashioned spa. That has a structure where the bathing room and the undressing room are not separated.

Bath hut Tamagoyu Bathtub

Boy, there is a bathtub directly ... Wow, the water is blue!

That's true. It seems great water. And this sulfur smell is good!

Bath hut Tamagoyu undressing room

Immediately to the bathtub.

Oh, onsen is nice after walking in the snow. And this blue water feels special, you know.

That's true. And yunohana are amazing. It's white and cloudy.

Yeah, like this water may be the first time for me.

Taste is ... Yes, sour. I see, in short, it's acidic. It's perfect for treatment.

Next is an open-air bath. In addition to women-only open-air bath, there are open-air baths called "Tenkeinoyu" and "Tenshonoyu". Today, a men's bath is "Tenshonoyu". From the undressing room to the bathtub, it is only about 5 m (16.4 ft), but snow is piled up there as well.

Open-air bath "Tenshonoyu"

Mmm, do I have to walk here barefoot ...

That's right! Going slowly, you'll get frostbite! ... Oh! I slipped!

In a hurry, the two jumped into the bathtub.

Wow, I was saved! My feet were cold!

Well, when the outside is cold, I'm especially grateful for the hot spring ...

Open-air bath "Tenshonoyu"

It's really interesting a hot spring in the snow, isn't it? In such a white landscape, this blue water is even better.

... I guess it would look better if the sky was sunny ... First of all,the snow is going down too much. I can't tell if it's steam or snow.

But I never thought I could take a snow-view bath today. Been here today is so right!

Eh? Ah, well, it could be right. Snow-view bath was certainly unexpected.

Next, they moved to a large indoor bath, "Takinoyu".

Indoor bath "Takinoyu"

As I thought, the indoor bath calm down more. The snow landscape seen through the window glass! I feel a sense of security and can relax.

There is security, but it's little interesting. How should I say ... no sense of realism or ...

No, if you wanna enjoy the hot water itself, the indoor bath is better.

Nishi-san and Kita-san who enjoyed each bath of Tamagoyu. After the hot spring, they saw the exhibition section of Tamagoyu history.

Exhibition section of Tamagoyu history

Then, they has been taking a break for a while in the lobby to supply water. Outside the lobby window, the snow seems to have fallen a little. (→ Continue to Takayu Onsen Attakayu)

(April 2019)