Ajigaura-onsen Nozomi

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rocks bathtub in Open-air bath area

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

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 ...

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

(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
Close days: 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)
Gushing place: 3290-1, Aza-Minamihamada, Ajigaura-cho, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Pref.
Temperature: 32.0 ℃ (89.6 ℉)
[air temperature: 20 ℃ (68 ℉)]
Water 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

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.

TRAIN ONSEN Travel Journals to Hot Springs in Japan