Hokkawa Onsen Kuroneiwaburo

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.

A certain summer day.

Speaking of summer, you want to go to the sea, you know. How about a hot spring near the sea after a long time?

The sea ... Come to think of it, I've been to a hot spring on the shore of the sea before. An open-air bath that you like.

Where is it?

Izu. Higashiizu. The view should be so nice.

Should be? Haven't you been there?

Well, it was the night I went, so I couldn't see much of the view ... So, I have a little regret ...

That's why Nishi-san and Kita-san have come to Higashiizu this time. To avoid congestion, they plan to take the first bath when it opens at 10 am. They took the Izukyu train from Ito Station and have got off at Izu Hokkawa Station.

View from Izu Hokkawa Station platform

Oh, it's a nice view!

It's around there, Kuroneiwaburo.

I have high expectations.

A dozen minutes walk from Izu Hokkawa Station, you will arrive at Kuroneiwaburo. After waiting for a while until the opening time, they finally went to the reception desk of Kuroneiwaburo.

Exterior (Reception)

Anyway, this is the reception ...

Right. There is only an open-air bath near the sea.

After paying a charge, going down the stairs, you will find a men's bath undressing room.

Exterior (Undressing room)

Oh? I wonder if it was so fine ...

Huh? Is this fine?

It used to be more shabby. Is it because it was night? Before that, it was a mixed bath, but now it's separate and it seems that minor changes are being made.

Hmmm ... Well, let's go for the time being!

There is no door at the back of the undressing room, there are large and small rocks bathtubs, and the sea in front of them.

Open-air bath

Wow! It's amazing! The sea is really in front!

Oh, it's such a nice view! In the daytime.

This feeling of openness is great!

Exactly. After all, if you come here, it's better to come in the daytime to enjoy this wonderful view. At night, the sea looks almost just black.

Open-air bath

If you can't see the sea, there's no point in coming here, you know.

I think so too. In short, you can only hear the sound of the waves ... Well, if the moon is out, it's not bad to take a bath while watching the moon and listening to the sound of the waves, though.

Only the moon and the sound of the waves? Even though you've come this far? It's lunacy.

Kita-san was soaking in hot water towards the sea, so it took him a while to notice the words on the rock behind him.

Slogan written on the rock

What? Something is written on the rock. "Open-air bath getting in while seeing America" ... No no no, can't see it!

You're right. But you can see Izu Oshima. Though you can't see it today because it's a little hazy.

I see, it depends on the weather of the day.

View from the open-air bath

Today, the horizon is hazy, but the weather is nice and the sea breeze is calm. After enjoying the sea view for a while, they have heard a voice from the entrance. Apparently, a group of visitors has come.

It looks like a group has come. 'Cause this onsen is popular.

With this view, that's natural.

But it's not large, so when it gets crowded, it doesn't feel spacious ... Will we get out soon?

Well, you got a point. It's a little disappointing, but let's do so.

Open-air bath
(Looking toward the undressing room from the back)

Nishi-san and Kita-san, who really wanted to stay in for a little longer. They left Kuroneiwaburo while talking that sunset hour might be a good to come next time. (→ Continue to Inatori Onsen Senoumi)

(August 2020)

♨ It is from September 2019 that Kuroneiwaburo is completely separated by gender as it is now. Before that, there were mixed bathing and women-only hours. In addition, it seems that various parts have been renewed with the restoration due to the great damage caused by the typhoon in October 2019.

Impression & rating

A hot spring where you can enjoy the view. Hot water has no special features and it is not a selling point of this hot spring.

2.0 pt

Impression & rating

Great location and great views. However, satisfaction may depend on the weather, time of day, and congestion.

3.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address: Hokkawa, Higashiizu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Pref.
Phone: domestic: 0557-23-3997
international: +81-557-23-3997 (Hokkawa Onsen Tourist Association)
Website: Hokkawa Onsen Tourist Association_Kuroneiwaburo
Bathing time: 10:00 - 18:00
(Last entry at 17:45)
Bathing is within 60 minutes
Regular holiday: Open daily (closed in stormy weather)
Charge: ¥ 600 (Free for those staying at the inn in Hokkawa Onsen)
Baths: Gender-separated open-air bath
Facilities: No lockers
Equipments: No shower, soap, shampoo etc. (Soap, shampoo, etc. cannot be used)

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

No hot spring analysis report is posted on the Kuroneiwaburo. The following is a hot spring analysis report of "Tsuruya Kisshotei", the hot spring supplier inn of Kuroneiwaburo. (Kuroneiwaburo and Tsuruya Kisshotei seem to use a common hot spring source.)

(Survey date: Oct. 16, 2014)

Spring quality: Sodium / Calcium - Chloride spring (Hypotonic Weak alkaline High temperature spring)
Water sampling point: Mixing tank
1206-5 Naramoto, Higashiizu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Pref.
Temperature: 75.0 ℃ (167 ℉)
[air temperature: 21 ℃ (69.8 ℉)]
pH value: 8.1
Total ingredients: 3.824 g / kg
Perception: Almost colorless, transparent, slightly salty, odorless, no gas generation

Today's Ekiben

Taimeshi (Sea bream rice)

It is said that it was born in 1907, so it is a tremendous longevity ekiben that has exceeded 100 years. Sea bream oboro (sweet-flavored sea bream flakes) are spreading over on the rice. I rarely see sea bream oboro other than ekiben, so in a sense it's uniquely ekiben. Partly because of that, it will makes you feel like traveling. It doesn't look good on Instagram, but for eating, it's worth buying.

« contents »
Sea bream oboro, Tea rice, Pickled yuzu and radish, Umeboshi (Japanese salt plum), Pickled Japanese horseradish, Simmered clams, Kamaboko (minced and steamed fish), Chikuwa (fish sausage)

(¥ 830) ( Tokaken_Ekiben)

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.

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