More hidden hot springs and delicacies await us this week. As we continue on our search of scenic hot springs in Tokyo, take a train from Kazuma to Musashi Itsukaichi Station. For lunch, drop by an inn nearby which is located in a 400-year old building. Its dining house is opened to non-lodgers too. It serves delicious mountain vegetables. The mountain village feast includes suiton with hen of the woods, carrot and edible burdock; chocolate vine pickled with miso; and field horsetail pickled with vinegar – a delicacy of spring. After this, make your way by taxi to your lodge for the night. Tsurunoyu Onsen Komadori-so is located in northern Tokyo, on the border between Yamanashi, by the side of Lake Okutama. A small inn run by a couple, the 600-year-old inn was established during the Nanboku-cho period. Soak in its pure sulphur hot spring, while admiring the view of Lake Okutama. For dinner, you will be served mountain delicacies. The hearty meal of eight dishes includes handmade soba served in a bamboo container; raw konjac and char; and fried taro in yuba served with special miso.
The next morning, take a bus to Hikawa Ravine, which boasts one of the most scenic open-air baths of Okutama. Moegi no Yu was opened in 1998 for day trippers and charges 750 yen (S$11.66) per adult. This ancient hot spring gushes out from the Paleozoic strata and features a gorgeous view of Lake Tama.
For our next adventure, we visit hidden hot springs in Fukushima. From Takahagi, travel by train for two hours to Otsuko Station in Kita-Ibaraki. At Otsuko, visit Hiragata Port, which is famous for its blackmouth goosefish. After exploring the market of Hiragata Fishery Cooperative Association, make your way to the Sekison Kosen hot spring, which is popular among the locals. It costs 1,500 yen (S$23.25) to stay here for the day. This spa is said to be good for those suffering from neuralgia and rheumatism. There are two indoor baths, one for women and another for men. For lunch, go to Shioya Shoten, which produces and sells dried food. It runs a dining house, where you can have a blackmouth goosefish and conger eel set meal for just 950 yen (S$14.74). After lunch, head to another hot spring. Yunoami Kosen, Shikanoyu Matsuya is located in the mountains and its staff will pick you up from Otsuko Station. It is interesting to note it is named Yunoami (meshes of a net) because several hot spring sources are spread all over the premises of the inn. So you will notice many wells here and all of them are the source of Shikanoyu. Rumour has it that the sources were discovered between 300 and 500 years ago, when an injured deer healed its wound at a hot spring here. The hot spring here is abundant in iron and is said to be good for ailments such as neuralgia, rheumatism and gastrointestinal disorders. It often attracts many visitors, and guests can choose to stay overnight also.
From here, make your way to Yumoto Station in Fukushima. Roam around the spa town of Iwaki Yumoto, which used to thrive as a coal mining town, and drop by the many quaint shops in the area. Then, go to Hotel Shioyazaki, where you can stay the night. Located by the seaside, this inn with 16 guest rooms is known for its excellent views and open-air bath. A night’s stay costs 12,750 yen (S$198.16), including two meals. After soaking in its scenic bath, you will be treated to a sumptuous seafood dinner. Dishes include Kimatsukawa righteye flounders, fried lizardfish and other local delicacies. The next morning, relax in an observation bath while admiring the beautiful morning sun. Finally, visit the Misaki Park nearby, which is a popular spot for viewing the Pacific Ocean.
For our next journey, we travel to hidden hot springs which are easily accessible from Tokyo. Take a direct bus from Yamanashi-shi Station to a hot spring located within a recreation facility which features fruit farms and greenhouses. Yamanashi is known for its production of peaches and grapes. There is a scenic hot spring at the facility here, which boasts gorgeous views of Mt. Fuji. The alkaline spring water here is odourless and smooth. After a relaxing bath, head to Ichigo-land, where you can pick and eat as many strawberries as you want. Return to the train station and drop by an izakaya (pub house) called Nonkibaaba. It is known for its handmade hoto, which is cooked with local ingredients and self-blended miso. From here, make your way to your inn for the night. Go to Kajikazawaguchi Station in Fujigawa-cho, a peaceful mountain village near Fuji River. If you make a booking, the staff from the hotel will pick you up. After travelling along Fuji River and a mountain trail for 20 minutes, you will reach Jikkoku Kamiyu Onsen in Fujigawa-cho. The inn, Genji no Yu, is situated along the Oyana River. It has a homey atmosphere and all its rooms come with a nice view of the river.
After relaxing in your room, go to the inn’s hot spring. There are two open-air baths on each side of the river. One is actually a cold spring, using calcium and sodium chloride water which is 31 degrees. Another is a scenic hot spring near a waterfall. Its spring water has a temperature of 42 degrees. Surrounded by nature, this hot spring is especially cosy. Later for dinner, enjoy a hearty meal of 11 dishes such as seared deer, black carp which is wrapped with crushed shonaifu and deep fried, butterbur tempura, and botan nabe. The next morning, indulge in a refreshing indoor bath with a stunning view of the surrounding scenery.
