Day trip bathing travel journals to hot springs where we visited by train and bus

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi

3290, Ajigaura-cho, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Pref.

The source is ancient fossil seawater. A convenience day trip hot spring where you can enjoy a variety of baths and views of the Pacific Ocean

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi exterior
Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi open-air bath Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi indoor bath Kochia in Hitachi Seaside Park

They use a private source that springs from 1,504 m (4,934 ft) underground. It is a hot spring of "fossil seawater", ancient seawater trapped in the ground. The feature is that its ingredients are very rich and keeping your body warm after bath.

There are various baths such as sauna, rocks bathtub, cypress bathtub and Cave bath. You can enjoy finding your favorite bath.

There are Hitachi Seaside Park and Ajigaura Beach nearby. In 2024, the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway will be extended to Hitachi Seaside Park, making sightseeing around the area even more convenient.

Location

Rating of access

2.5 pt(from Ueno)

→ How to rate access train

Area / Railway

Kanto Region
Ibaraki Pref.

JR Joban Line -
Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Minato Line

spa

Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta.JR: 2 hrs 10 min Joban Line ¥ 2,310
  • Katsuta Sta.Hitachinaka Seaside Railway: 28 min Minato Line ¥ 570
  • Ajigaura Sta.Walk: 4 min 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
  • Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi
Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta.JR: 2 hrs 10 min Joban Line ¥ 2,310
  • Katsuta Sta. (East Exit. No.2)Ibaraki Kotsu Bus: 25 min ¥ 400
  • Kaihin Koen Minamiguchi Bus StopWalk: 25 min 2 km (1.2 mi) Max difference in elevation: -23 m (-75 ft)
  • Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi
Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta.JR express: 1 hr 15 min Hitachi etc. Reserved seat ¥ 3,890
  • Katsuta Sta. (East Exit. No.2)Ibaraki Kotsu Bus: 16 min ¥ 400
  • Kaihin Koen Nishiguchi Bus Stop Smile Aozora Bus: 13 min Nakaminato Course ¥ 100
  • Ajigaura Kaigan Bus Stop
    ( or Ajigaura Sta. Bus Stop)Walk: 4 min 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
  • Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi
Route from Tokyo (Tokyo)
  • Tokyo Sta. (Yaesu South Gate)Expressway bus: 1 hr 53 min Mito-go ¥ 2,120
  • Mito Sta. (North Exit. No.3)Ibaraki Kotsu Bus: 35 min via Hamada Ei / Ono /
    Nakaminato
    Sta.
    # 28 for Hiraiso Chugakko Shita
    ¥ 610
  • Makaminato Sta.Bicycle rental: 45 min 7.7 km (4.8 mi) ¥ 1,000 / day
  • Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi
Routes from Tokyo
  • Ueno
  • JR
  • Katsuta
  • Hitachinaka Seaside Railway
  • Ajigaura
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 42 min ¥ 2,880

  • Ueno
  • JR
  • Katsuta
  • Bus
  • Kaihin Koen Minamiguchi
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs ¥ 2,710

  • Ueno
  • JR express
  • Katsuta
  • Bus
  • Kaihin Koen Nishiguchi
  • Community bus
  • Ajigaura Kaigan
    or Ajigaura Sta.
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 1 hr 48 min ¥ 4,390

  • Tokyo
  • Expressway bus
  • Mito
  • Bus
  • Nakaminato
  • Bicycle rental
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs 13 min ¥ 3,730

  • The price of JR Express is "Base fare" plus "Express charge". (These are determined according to the distance.) In case of JR Express on Joban Line, "Express charge" has two types: "Reserved seat" and "Undecided seat". Both have the same charge, which do not change depending on the season. However, the price will vary depending on where you buy. (Internet < Station < Inside the car). If you have an "Undecided seat" ticket, you can sit in any vacant seat, but you have no priority. So, if someone comes who has a "Reserved seat" ticket for the seat you are sitting, you have to give up the seat to him / her.
  • At Nakaminato Station, they has the bicycle rental service with electric assist. Hours of operation are: [Weekdays] 7:00-19:00, [Weekends and Holidays] 8:30-17:30. You can return it at Nakaminato Station or "Umimachi Terrace" in Oarai Station. (However, "Umimachi Terrace" is open from 9:00 to 18:00.) Charge: ¥1,000 a day, ID card is required. Information: Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Co., Ltd., Tel: 029-262-2361.
  • The expressway bus "Katsuta / Tokai Line" also has buses that go through the Kaihin Koen Nishiguchi Bus Stop.
  • Sumairu Aozora Bus is a community bus in Hitachinaka City and operates about 7 times a day.
  • The above fares are based on cash. When using an IC card, the fares may differ slightly.
  • The above times and distances are approximate. Does not include transfering or waiting times.

How to get to Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi

(Directions from Ajigaura Sta.)
  1. After leaving the station, go to the left and go down the dirt road
  2. Turn right after going down the hill
(Directions from Ajigaura Kaigan Bus Stop)
  1. South along the coast
  2. After walking about 200 m (660 ft), turn right and then left

bus stop: bus stop

Click the map to open Google Map

Travel journal of day trip bathing to hot spring

Characters

Nishi-san
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
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.

Nishi-san and Kita-san, who have come to Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture today. The purpose is to see the autumn leaves of kochia in Hitachi Seaside Park, but of course can't miss the onsen. Before seeing kochia, head to "Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi". Right now, they're going down the hill from Ajigaura Station to Nozomi.

By the way, why go to the hot spring before kochia? Isn't it better seeing kochia first, then taking a hot spring?

I think kochia will be more beautiful in the dusk light. After that, it'll be night, you won't be able to see the sea with taking the bath, right?

You can see the autumn colors of kochia in Hitachi Seaside Park around mid-October.

Oh, I see ... Well, it's warm today, and not the situation at Ashikaga Flower Park. It was cold at that time ...

Oh yeah. ...Hmm? Maybe that building.

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi Exterior

Exterior

They have arrived at Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi.

Gee ... What should I say? It's fairy-taleish, you know.

Exactly. I feel like it's out of place. But well, it might look good on Instagram.

They've got into the building right away. At first, the two who go up to the 3rd floor where the bathing room is. In the bathing room, there is the indoor bath.

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi Indoor bath

Indoor bath

Boy, Not so bad. It's not big, but not small.

I feel some chlorine, but it's a standard level. And water is ... a typical seaside hot spring, I guess.

Oh, you can see the sea from here. I didn't expect to see the sea from the indoor bath.

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi Washing area

Washing area

Maybe the view is the sales point here. It has windows that look like stained glass, and is prettier than I expected.

Next, they've got out to the open-air bath area.

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi Tsuboyu in Open-air bath area

Tsuboyu in Open-air bath area

The first thing you see when you get out to the open-air bath area is the two tsuboyu (pot baths). Beyond those, there is a rocks bathtub, scent bath, cave bath, cypress bathtub and even a fountain.

Oh, there are various tubs!

Exactly. Seems like they are tightly packed.

For the time being, I sure this rocks bathtub has a good view.

See Jizonoyu Toyokan for the situation at Ashikaga Flower Park.

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi Rocks bathtub in Open-air bath area

Rocks bathtub in Open-air bath area

First of all, Nishi-san and Kita-san take into the rocks bathtub.

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi View from Rocks bathtub in Open-air bath area

View from Rocks bathtub in Open-air bath area

Hmmm, it's hard to see the view in water, but it has a feeling of openness. Nice open-air bath, you know.

Well, not so bad.

The weather is nice today, and it's the day for the open-air bath!

The weather is a little too good and it's dazzling.

After that, they go around all the bathtubs. As a result, what they liked the most was ...

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi Cypress bathtub

Cypress bathtub in Open-air bath area

It's a cypress bathtub.

No, the best one is this rocks bathtub. So spacious, and after all, when it comes to open-air bath, nothing is better than rocks bathtubs!

No, this cypress bathtub is the best.

Do you like cypress so much from before?

Not at all. Because, this one has a roof so it's not dazzling.

Is that the reason!?

Then, for a while, Nishi-san and Kita-san relaxed at Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi. After taking a break, the two headed to Hitachi Seaside Park in late afternoon.

Kochia in Hitachi Seaside Park

Kochia in Hitachi Seaside Park

Kochia in Hitachi Seaside Park

Kochia in Hitachi Seaside Park

(October 2020)

Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi seems to incorporate elements of Feng Shui. In this rocks bathtub, the characters of the four gods (Seiryu, Suzaku, Byakko and Genbu) are engraved on the stones in each direction. Seiryu is on the east, Suzaku is on the south, Byakko is on the west and Genbu is on the north side. If you like that, why not look for them?

Impression & rating

The using of hot water is like an ordinary Super Communal Bathhouse. The freshness of the water in the bathtubs is low, but you can enjoy the feeling of onsen.

1.0 pt

Impression & rating

There are some regrettable details (for example, the open-air bath area is a bit cramped), but as a whole, it's a good onsen facility.

2.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
3290, Ajigaura-cho, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Pref.
Phone
domestic: 029-265-5541
international: +81-29-265-5541
Website
Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi
Bathing hours
10:00 - 22:00
Regular holiday
3rd Thursday (Open every day in July and August)
Charge
Adults: ¥ 900 (On weekends and holidays, ¥ 1,150) / Children (3 years old to elementary school students): ¥ 500
(Advance coupon available)
Baths
Gender-separated indoor bath, Gender-separated open-air bath, Private bath
Facilities
There are shoes box lockers (no coins required). There are lockers in undressing room (100 yen coins required, return type).

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

(Survey date: Apr. 8, 2011)

Spring quality
Sodium - Chloride spring (Hypertonic Neutral Low temperature spring)
Source
3290-1, Aza-Minamihamada, Ajigaura-cho, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Pref.
Temperature
32.0 ℃ (89.6 ℉)
[air temperature: 20 ℃ (68 ℉)]
Volume
120 L / min (Pumping after drilling)
pH value
7.4
Total ingredients
26.73 g / kg
Perception
Colorless, transparent, hydrogen sulfide odor, strong salt taste
(8 hours after water sampling) Yellowish brown, turbid, metallic odor, strong salty and metallic taste

Today's Ekiben

Rod-shaped Sushi of Teriyaki mackerel
The appearance of Rod-shaped Sushi of Teriyaki mackerel The whole of Rod-shaped Sushi of Teriyaki mackerel

Rod-shaped Sushi of Teriyaki mackerel by Mata-bay

(Purchased at Katsuta Station)

A rod-shaped sushi of plump, thick, greasy mackerel that has been exquisitely grilled. This is so delicious.

By the way, Mata-bay's grilled mackerel rod-shaped sushi includes "Teriyaki mackerel" and "Grilled mackerel sushi". The big difference is that "Grilled mackerel sushi" contains a lot of pickled ginger.

But, both are large in size, greasy and have no change in taste, so there is a high possibility that you will get bored while eating. So, it is recommended that you eat separately for two people, or if you eat alone, eat speedy before you get bored of it.

(¥ 1,234) ( Mata-bay Instagram)

  • 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.

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