TRAIN ONSEN Travel Journals to Hot Springs in Japan

It's a rainy season. Humid days continue every day. So, Nishi-san and Kita-san talked about going to a nearby hot spring to refresh feeling. The destination they choice is "Shimizuyu", the onsen bathhouse in Shinagawa City, Tokyo. It is a hot spring only 6 minutes walk from Musashikoyama Station.

Exterior

Look here. We've arrived.

Oh, it was really five or six minutes from the station.

The route behind Shimizuyu seems a little closer. Let's take it when going back.

It's still new, but feels moderately tasteful and laid-back, you know.

I think so. There are a lot of locals, but even tourists can easily go in.

There is a break room in front of the reception desk. The two go to the bathing room passing through there.

Kuroyu in Indoor bath (Electric bath area in back, whirlpool area in front)

By the way, is it true Kuroyu here isn't so hot?

Yes, it's not so hot. About 42 degrees?

Really? I think Kuroyu is always too hot ... Hmm? Oh, really, this is not too hot.

See? As I said.

That's right, this is okay ... Ouch! Something hits me now!

Oh, around this area is an electric bath. Let's move to there, the whirlpool area.

Why do they make an electric zzzt bath? DENKI GROOVE alone is enough ... Oh? oh, um, this water stream is so strong, isn't it?

Hmm ... sure, it's SO strong.

If I am careless, likely to be push away by the stream ... Oops ...

Hey, don't push me, this side is the electric zzzt area.

Well, I'll not push you, but the water stream push me ... like this ...

You guys, don't push me! ... Ouch! I'm shocked!

Next, Nishi-san and Kita-san get out to the open-air bath. In the front is Kuroyu tub, and on the top of the stairs in the back is Ogonnoyu tub. First, go into the Kuroyu.

Kuroyu in Open-air bath (with jacuzzi)

Oh, the open-air Kuroyu is even softer and nice.

Yeah, but I think that the indoor bath Kuroyu is more a bit slimy .... The water is a bit dirty.

But before the water condition, most of the Kuroyu in Tokyo is too hot to enter.

Hahaha. There are many such things.

Next is the Ogonnoyu tub, which is up the short stairs while watching the bamboo planting.

Open-air bath

Oh, This is good for taking a long bath.

It's flowing from the source. Seaweed-ish iodine smell is fresh. I like this bathtub best.

Oh? This description says this is an ancient seawater hot spring certified as a recuperation spring. Seawater? ... Then, the taste is ... Oops! really, so salty!

Hot water spout of Open-air bath

Kanto Region has so many ancient seawater hot springs, too. But I think it's rare to have both this and Kuroyu. Perhaps only here.

And, the both are in the open-air bath, you know. Even though Tokyo, seeing the sky well. Great!

You said it.

Garden facing the break room

Nishi-san and Kita-san left out of the bath after enjoying the both onsen enough. They have come down to the break room in front of the first floor reception desk.

Well, good water it was. If just right temperature, Kuroyu is nice, you know.

You're right.

And Japanese garden outside has a ... Huh? The windows are all open. Aren't mosquitoes coming in?

It's okay because they are burning a mosquito-repellent incense. Let's buy something to drink, and rest to cool down for a while in here.

After bath, cool of the evening, smell of mosquito-repellent incense. Nishi-san and Kita-san enjoyed an early summer mood of Japan with a moist, soft breeze and cold beer. The TV nobody watching was saying that the ending of rainy season was just coming.

(July 2015)