Kamisuwa Onsen Shibunoyu

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.

(→ Continuation from Katakurakan Senninburo)
Nishi-san and Kita-san who are being in Suwa today. After Katakurakan, they wandered around Lake Suwa and came to Shibunoyu at the right time. Shibunoyu is an onsen ryokan close to Katakurakan, where you can take a day trip bathing, but its hours are from 13:00 to 15:00. During that time, they passed through the Shibunoyu gate.

Exterior

It's a bit modest compared to the big hotels along Lake Suwa.

Right, but it's not always good to be big. This is not too big and it feels good.

Front garden in the entrance

This front garden is also cool.

Even though it's Shibu "hot" spring.

Then, it's better to change the name to Shibu "cool" spring.

Well, in a way you are right.

Lobby

Enter the hall.

Oh, the interior is pretty good too. Tasteful!

Exactly. Nice atmosphere.

At once, they go to the bath. The undressing room has a window so you can see the bathing room. It's during the afternoon on weekdays, so there are no other customers.

Bathing room seen from the undressing room

Oh, nobody is there. Like reserved.

Really, that's a luxury.

The bathing room is divided into two. First, Nishi-san and Kita-san who enter the "Muminnoyu" (means "Hot water of dreaming").

Muminnoyu (Hot water of dreaming)

Phew, Good hot water ... it feels soft and fresh.

This water has a yellowish color ... no, isn't it? Only looks like with the light?

It's subtle whether it has a color. Oh, but there's a lot of yunohana.

True. It's a nice hot water. And, this bamboo outside the window is cool too.

Because of all, it's Shibu cool spring.

And then, move to the "Chikurinnoyu" (means "Hot water of bamboo forest") in the next bath. Bamboo blind on the upper half of the big window, is blocking out the light from outside properly.

♨ If you come from Kirigamine Exit of Kamisuwa Station, turn left with this sign on a utility pole. Kamisuwa Onsen Shibunoyu information board

Chikurinnoyu (Hot water of bamboo forest)

It seems basically the same in the style.

But this bamboo view is art work, you know.

I see, exactly.

Chikurinnoyu (Hot water of bamboo forest)

The window looks like a picture frame and it looks like a painting. It's really cool to look at the bamboo forest like a Japanese painting while soaking in the hot water.

Because of all, it's Shibu cool spring.

Washing area

... I feel like I heard that line several times today ...

Hmm? So? It's just your imagination.

Oh, it's just my imagination ... Anyway, also this washing area is really good, and cool.

Because of all, it's Shibu It's Shibu COOL spring!

... I feel like I heard that line several times today ...

So? It's just your imagination.

Shibunoyu, that has a beautiful contrast between a slightly dark bathing room and bamboo lit by bright sunlight outside the window. In here, the time goes by slowly and quietly that is unrelated to the hustle and bustle of sightseeing spots.

(September 2018)

♨ Muminnoyu and Chikurinnoyu are men's baths during the day trip bathing hours. (Women's bath has a semi-open-air bath and different atmosphere.)
It seems that you can take both baths if you stay because they change around 19 o'clock.

Impression & rating

Soft and fresh hot water with yunohana. The overall atmosphere is elegant and relaxing. A hot spring with a good impression.

2.5 pt

Impression & rating

It's so nice to look at bamboo while soaking in hot water. I wish not only women's bath but also men's bath has an open-air bath.

1.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address: 3-3-24, Kogandori, Suwa City, Nagano Pref.
Phone: domestic: 0266-52-2655
international: +81-266-52-2655
Website: Shibunoyu
Day trip bathing hours: 13:00 - 15:00
Close days: Unclear
Charge: ¥ 1,000 (Including rental towel)
Baths: Gender-separated indoor bath
Facilities: No lockers at the undressing room

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

(Survey date: Nov. 5, 2015)

Spring quality: Simple hot spring (Hypotonic Weak alkaline High temperature spring)
Source: Shibunoyu source
Temperature: 50.0 ℃ (122.0 ℉)
[air temperature: 10 ℃ (50 ℉)]
Water volume: - L / min
pH value: 8.25
Total ingredients: 0.5982 g / kg
Perception: Almost colorless and clear, tasteless and odorless

Today's Ekiben

Shinshu beef and wild vegetables rice

(Purchased at Chino Station)

Ekiben that has charcoal-grilled Shinshu beef, shredded omelet and wild vegetables on tea rice. Marumasa is proud of the charcoal-grilled Shinshu beef that has a savory smell. At first, I thought the price is a bit high. But once I've heard that they only use A5 and A4 grade beef, it seems reasonable. Either way, it's a delicious ekiben. (¥ 1,200) (→ Marumasa website)

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