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

Shotokuji-onsen Hatsuhana

Shotokuji-onsen Hatsuhana

1093-1, Shotokuji, Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Pref.

Its lukewarm water is sticking to your skin. It's attractive to have a large open-air bath with abundant hot water and a wide variety of bathtubs

Hatsuhana open-air bath
Hatsuhana exterior Hatsuhana open-air bath Hatsuhana indoor bath

The hot water, with a slimy touch that sticks to the skin, is reputed to smooth the skin.

It has various bathtubs such as open-air bath, sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi, lying-down bath and barrel tub. Because the water temperature is low, the lukewarm water lovers will be happy.

It is also famous as a restaurant that boasts eel dishes. Eel grown in hot spring water and homemade vegetables are very delicious.

  • Click to the description page

The spring of source is a combination of pumping and Non-pumping. Steam bath is only one of men's bath and women's bath that daily changes.

Location

Rating of access

2.5 pt(from Shinjuku)

→ How to rate access train

Area / Railway

Koshinetsu Region
Yamanashi Pref.

JR Chuo Line

onsen

Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta.JR: 2 hrs 25 min Chuo Line ¥ 2,310
  • Kasugaicho Sta.Walk: 20 min 1.5 km (0.9 mi) Difference in elevation: 15 m (49 ft)
  • Hatsuhana
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta.Keio: 1 hr Keio Line ¥ 370
  • Takao Sta.JR: 1 hr 20 min Chuo Line ¥ 1,170
  • Yamanashi-shi Sta.Walk: 2 min 0.2 km (0.1 mi)
  • Machinoeki Yamanashi Bicycle rental: 15 min 2.5 km (1.6 mi) ¥ 100 or ¥ 520
  • Hatsuhana
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta.JR: 2 hrs 20 min Chuo Line ¥ 2,310
  • Yamanashi-shi Sta. Yamanashi City Bus: 5 - 11 min Yamanashi Junkan Line ¥ 200
  • JA Yamanashi Shisho
    Bus StopWalk: 5 min 0.4 km (0.2 mi)
  • Hatsuhana
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. JR express: 1 hr 30 min Kaiji etc. Non-reserved seat¥ 3,890
  • Yamanashi-shi Sta. Yamanashi City Bus: 5 - 10 min Nishizawa-keikoku Line or Yamanashi Junkan Line ¥ 200
  • Yamanashi Kosei Hospital Bus Stop Walk: 10 min 0.8 km (0.5 mi)
  • Hatsuhana
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. (New South Gate) Walk: 2 min
  • Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal
    (4th floor) Expressway bus: 2 hrs Kofu Ryuo Line (via Isawa) ¥ 2,200
  • Yamanashi Gakuin Daigaku Bus Stop Walk: 5 min 0.4 km (0.2 mi)
  • Sakaori Sta.JR: 7 min Chuo Line ¥ 200
  • Kasugaicho Sta. Eiwa Kotsu Bus: 2 min Isawa Keito Line ¥ 150
  • Beisia-mae Bus StopWalk: 10 min 0.8 km (0.5 mi)
  • Hatsuhana
Routes from Tokyo
  • Shinjuku
  • JR
  • Kasugaicho
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 45 min ¥ 2,310

  • Shinjuku
  • Keio
  • Takao
  • JR
  • Yamanashi-shi
  • Bicycle rental
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 37 min ¥ 1,640 - ¥ 2,060

  • Shinjuku
  • JR
  • Yamanashi-shi
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 30 - 36 min ¥ 2,510

  • Shinjuku
  • JR express
  • Yamanashi-shi
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 1 hr 45 - 50 min ¥ 4,090

  • Shinjuku
  • Expressway bus
  • Sakaori
  • JR
  • Kasugaicho
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 26 min ¥ 2,550

  • The price of JR Express is "Base fare" plus "Express charge". (These are determined according to the distance.) In case of JR Express on Chuo 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.
  • Machinoeki Yamanashi is located to the north of the post office in front of Yamanashi-shi Station, and is closed on Wednesdays (or the next day if it is a holiday). The bicycle rental service is available from 9:00 to 17:00, ID card required, regular bicycle ¥100 (deposit ¥1,000), electric assisted bicycle ¥510 (deposit ¥2,000).
  • The nearest bus stop for Hatsuhana is "JA Higashi-Yamanashi Yamanashi Shisho Bus Stop" (abbreviation: JA Yamanashi Shisho), but few buses stop at this bus stop. (For details of the Yamanashi Junkan Line and Nishizawa-keikoku Line timetables, please refer to Yamanashi City _ Civic Bus, Private Bus.) The following tables show excerpts of the Yamanashi Junkan Line (YJ) and Nishizawa-keikoku Line (Nk). (Only buses after 10:00 for return)
    (Outward trip) Yamanashi-shi Sta. JA Yamanashi Shisho Yamanashi Kosei Hospital
    Nk7:38-7:44
    YJ8:128:238:25
    Nk8:18-8:24
    YJ9:05-9:15
    Nk11:10-11:16
    YJ12:12-12:17
    Nk12:20-12:26
    YJ14:5114:5615:16
    Nk16:08-16:14
    Nk17:23-17:29
    (Return trip) Yamanashi Kosei Hospital JA Yamanashi Shisho Yamanashi-shi Sta.
     (Buses before 10:00 are omitted)
    Nk10:15-10:21
    YJ11:40-11:50
    YJ12:30-12:34
    YJ12:3512:3712:44
    Nk13:44-13:50
    Nk15:11-15:17
    YJ15:16-15:24
    Nk17:44-17:50
    Nk19:14-19:20

    Nishizawa-keikoku Line: Jul. 01, 2018 Revision
    Yamanashi Junkan Line: May 22, 2021 Revision

  • Eiwa Kotsu Bus Isawa Keito Line does not operate on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and year-end and New Year holidays.
  • 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 Hatsuhana

(Directions from Kasugaicho Sta.)
  1. If you are coming from Tokyo, go left and cross the railroad crossing
  2. Immediately after crossing, turn into the right path. Cross at the railroad crossing
  3. Go straight at the intersection. The road curves to the left. Go along the road
  4. After the Nezu Memorial Museum, turn left at the yellow signboard of Hatsuhana.
  5. A large parking lot is a landmark

bus stop: bus stop

Click the map to open Google Map

How to get to Hatsuhana

(Directions from Yamanashi-shi Sta.)
  1. Go out of the station and turn left. Cross the river
  2. Turn left at the "Nishikanto Road Entrance" intersection. Take the national road (Karisaka-michi) toward Fuefuki City
  3. Turn left at the "Yamanashi Elementary School" signal after passing the Yamanashi Kose Hospital
  4. There is the Hatsuhana sign on a utility pole near JA Yamanashi Shisho Bus Stop, so follow the road to the right. Then go along the road

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.

It is a day when summer is almost over, and today Nishi-san and Kita-san are going to a day trip to a hot spring in Yamanashi. Their destination is "Shotokuji-onsen Hatsuhana". The mid-day hot air still remains in the orange air when the sun is leaning. They are walking to Hatsuhana with the occasional breeze carrying the sweet scent of grapes.

Hatsuhana exterior

Exterior

Oh, here we are. At last we got to Hatsuhana. Feels like a hot spring in a vineyard.

Well, nice building.

Hatsuhana corridor

Corridor

Walk down the corridor to the hot spring.

It's luxury, you know.

Right, like a little restaurant.

The indoor bath has bathtubs with the heated water and non-heated one. Nishi-san, he first goes into the non-heated one.

There are vineyards and wineries everywhere around Yamanashi City. Wine tourism is popular with tourists. "Wine Tourism Yamanashi" is an example of wine tourism around wineries.

Hatsuhana was originally a restaurant specializing in eel dishes.

Hatsuhana indoor bath

Indoor bath

Wow! How lukewarm!

Oh, really?

It's low temperature. Get in anyway.

Wow, it's quite low! Isn't it cold?

You can say that. ... Hey, the temperature is 36 degrees.

Hot spring of Hatsuhana is the Moor spring that contains a lot of organic matter of plant origin.

Hmm ... Almost lower than body. I like lukewarm water, but this is too low. Be warmed with this water?

Yes and no ... But this water is so slimy and it feels good.

Next, moving to an open-air bath.

Hatsuhana open-air bath

Open-air bath (Lying-down bath in front)

Wow, there are various bathtubs.

It's like a pond. A lot of green, pretty good.

Because I don't get overheated at all, I can be in for hours ... Oh, so it's up to 3 hours.

I guess so. There are lying-down baths, so some people may really go to sleep.

Hatsuhana has a variety of bathtubs, such as a steam bath, sauna, and a jacuzzi. Nishi-san and Kita-san enjoyed them all and returned to the big open-air bath.

Hatsuhana open-air bath and steam bath

Open-air bath and the steam bath hut

Once I get used to this temperature, I feel like getting warmer.

I don't get tired even if for a long time. In short, it's less strain on my body.

Aside from winter, it might be just right for now season. ... but this open-air bath has one shortcoming.

What?

It smells savory grilled eel in the air, and you'll be so hungry.

Mm, exactly ... Let's have the eel after the bath.

Hatsuhana open-air bath

Open-air bath and deck chairs

Nishi-san and Kita-san enjoyed Hatsuhana hot water until the sun set and the open-air is lit up.

(August 2012)

The back and the front side bath area are changed weekly in each men's and women's. On this day, the men's bath is the front.

Impression & rating

Hot water feels soft. As it is overall lukewarm water, you will not be tired even if you take a long bath.

2.5 pt

Impression & rating

Large open-air bath has a nice atmosphere. It is fun to enter and compare various bathtubs.

3.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
1093-1, Shotokuji, Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Pref.
Phone
domestic: 0553-22-6377
international: +81-553-22-6377
Web Site
Hatsuhana
Bathing hours
10:00 - 21:00(Last entry at 20:00)
Regular holiday
Thursdays
(If it is a holiday, one of the days before and after will be a regular holiday.)
Charge
[In 3 hours]
Adults: ¥ 700 / Elementary school students and under: ¥ 400
[Extension 30 minutes]
Adults: ¥ 200 / Elementary school students and under: ¥ 100
Baths
Gender-separated indoor bath, Gender-separated open-air bath
Remarks
Tattoos are not allowed.

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

(Survey date: Feb. 22, 2018)

Spring quality
Alkaline Simple hot spring (Hypotonic Alkaline Low temperature spring)
Temperature
32.2 ℃ (90.0 ℉)
[air temperature: 9 ℃ (48.2 ℉)]
Volume
179.2 L / min (Non-powered spouting after drilling)
pH value
9.5
Total ingredients
0.2840 g / kg
Perception
Slightly yellow clear, tasteless and odorless

(Survey date: May. 15, 2008)

Spring quality
Alkaline Simple hot spring (Hypotonic Alkaline Low temperature spring)
Temperature
33.9 ℃ (93.0 ℉)
[air temperature: 25.0 ℃ (77 ℉)]
Volume
247 L / min (Non-powered spouting after drilling)

The official website says that it is 199 L / min for Non-powered spouting and 800 L / min for powered use.

pH value
9.4
Total ingredients
0.3453 g / kg
Perception
Light yellow-brown, clear, slightly salty, slightly sulfury, with fine bubbles

Today's Detour

Footbath in front of Kasugaicho Station Footbath in front of Kasugaicho Station

Footbath in front of Kasugaicho Station

[April to September] 10:00 - 18:00
[October to March] 10:00 - 17:00

There is a free footbath in front of Kasugaicho Station. It is pretty clean and fine. They say that the source is heated by a solar power. Why not use it while waiting for a train?

This footbath has been closed in April 2022.

  • 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.

Onsen List

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