TRAIN ONSEN Travel Journals to Hot Springs in Japan

By the way, today's hot spring is Shimobe Onsen where hot spring inns line along Shimobe River flowing through the west foot of Mt. Fuji. About an hour after taking the JR Minobu Line from Kofu, then Nishi-san and Kita-san have arrived at Shimobe Onsen Station at around 10:30 am. For the time being, they decide to head to one hot spring inn close to the station for taking a day trip bathing.

The two who have arrived at the hot spring inn. While Nishi-san takes photos of the building, Kita-san goes into the entrance. But he has come out immediately after talking with the stuff of the hot spring inn.

They say it's being cleaned, so the day trip bathing starts at 11 o'clock.

Is that so? On the web, I think it was 10 o'clock.

They say it's always a cleaning time now, so wait until 11 o'clock. What should we do?

It's more than 20 minutes until 11 o'clock ... Waiting here, or walking to the hot spring town of Shimobe Onsen?

Is there a hot spring town?

I can't say ... Well, rather than do nothing for 20 minutes, let's go for the time being.

So Nishi-san and Kita-san have started walking toward the central area of Shimobe Onsen. They are walking along the mountain road, while looking around the "hot spring town" that extends along Shimobe River.

There are some shops here and there, but it's subtle whether it can be said a hot spring town ... Oh, there's a fine building.

Wow, it's quite a classy ryokan. ... Ah, this is Yukiya. Speaking of which, I've heard Yukiya has a good reputation.

Is that so? Then it's just right. Do they have a day trip bathing service?

I think Yukiya doesn't have it ... but we have nothing to lose by asking them.

However, it was surprisingly replied that a day trip bathing was OK. Needless to say, when Nishi-san and Kita-san heard that, they were happy to decide to take a bath here. The two pays a day trip bathing charge, and go to Yukiya's famous "Cave bath".

As you walk down the corridor of Yukiya, you will find narrow and steep steps.

Oh, go under here ... It's a strange building.

Exactly ...

Down the stairs you will find a dim, low ceiling tunnel.

Hmm, what is this .... Is it ahead? That's too suspicious ...

What is there, I'm excited.

After passing through the tunnel, there is a stone pavement passage with stone wall displaying koto (Japanese harp), calligraphy, kimono, etc. At the deepest part of the narrow passage, you can see the entrance to the undressing room of the Cave bath.

And finally open the door to the Cave bath ...

Wow! What a hell ...

Incredible. Exactly it's a cave.

It's so dark and cramped, and a kind of uncomfortable ... It smells like mineral oil ... Does this hot spring have a good reputation?

Good point is the bottom of the bathtub. For the time being, let's get in.

Nishi-san and Kita-san get in the tub.

Oh! It's cold! It's just barely cold.

I agree. But this is a so pleasant hot water. It's not hot, though.

Is the bottom of this good? Just boards, you know.

The source water is coming out of the gap on the boards. Look! Here! Bubbles are coming out.

Wow! True! They made a bathtub where the source water came out. Oh, I see. That's the same one as Yatsugatake Shibunoyu.

You're right. It's a natural spring in bathtub.

That means, the freshness is the best. Oh, this black ones are Yunohana!?

Oh, that's right. Looking closely, there are many Yunohana. It looks like my eyes are getting used to the darkness.

I'm getting used to also the coldness. I feel not too cold. Indeed, it's a good hot water. It's not hot, though.

There is also a bathtub in the back, which is heated and just right temperature. Nishi-san and Kita-san fully enjoyed the Cave bath. After they have finished the Yukiya's proud bath, they go to the indoor bath in the main building.

It looks like this is a new source that is developed recently.

Oh, yeah? The bathtub looks like normal. But it feels good to have a lot of hot water coming out from ... Huh? There are two hot water spouts, you know.

That's true. A lot from the left, and a little from the right. Let's see ... Oh, the smell of sulfur is clear on the right. On the left ... nothing in particular ...

Ah, that means ...

In short, the left is water for circulation. On the right is a new source water? It's just my guess.

That makes sense.

I have taken the new source lightly, but it has such a sulfur smell. It might be good.

Nishi-san and Kita-san who were lucky to soak in the hot water of Yukiya unexpectedly, they fully enjoyed Shimobe Onsen. Just this day was the day of "Shinmei Fireworks Festival". When they got off the train at Ichikawa Daimon Station, the full blooming fireworks were vividly coloring the summer night sky.

(August 2019)