Thank you for such a great article! Not only was the subject extremely interesting to me but the way it's written with such detail was not only entertaining but gave me a benchmark to pursue for my own writing. The inclusion of the map and video was a nice touch also.
I live in the mountains of East Tennessee and have recently become interested in the health benefits of hot springs. We have several in the mountains around the area. Waterfalls & dams are a couple of similar interests as well as curvy, winding mountain roads. The details regarding the car's measurement was fascinating to me, if you asked that question here you'd receive a confused stare. Were I visiting Japan it wouldn't occur to ask the question either.
It's doubtful I'll ever be able to visit Japan, but articles like this along with the pictures take me there better than just blankly looking at a picture with a generic history attached ever could. Thank you for that.
Thanks for your comment. Your feedback is so helpful for my future writing. I just found out that there are several similar places in TN, which I would like to try someday! UBAYU is one of the extremes, even in Japan. There are lots of easier places to enjoy Japanese hot spring culture. I hope you have a chance to visit Japan in the future.
The vignette about your grandfather was so nice. I haven’t been in a hot spring since before the pandemic. I visited Kusatsu twice and loved the casual nature of hot springs there.
Thanks for your comment, Igor. Tochigi, where you are now, is a hot springs paradise in the Kanto region. You may like Shikanoyu at Nasu Yumoto, which is about an hour's drive from Shiobara. It used to be a low-key hot springs, but it is a pity that it became more popular.
Thanks, I will try(: although my transport is mostly my feet. As much as different organisations are trying to protect onsen culture I can see the trend of restricting people not staying to use bath facilities on pay basis. Eg in Shiobara none of 3 ryokans in Shiono-Yu offers “higaeri”. Also Yumori Tanakaya stopped allowing access to river baths of Oami onsen which are truly unique. I did get permission today and it was superb. And unfortunately glorious Fudono-Yu and Iwano -Yu although proudly displayed on route maps including Google are gone also.
Thanks for your comment, Igor. I agree with you that there are more restrictions on the pay basis. As for the hot springs that we find so appealing, I fear this trend will only intensify. Regarding Shikanoyu, it is interesting that there are six square wooden bath tabs every two degrees, and the temperature is different.
Thank you for such a great article! Not only was the subject extremely interesting to me but the way it's written with such detail was not only entertaining but gave me a benchmark to pursue for my own writing. The inclusion of the map and video was a nice touch also.
I live in the mountains of East Tennessee and have recently become interested in the health benefits of hot springs. We have several in the mountains around the area. Waterfalls & dams are a couple of similar interests as well as curvy, winding mountain roads. The details regarding the car's measurement was fascinating to me, if you asked that question here you'd receive a confused stare. Were I visiting Japan it wouldn't occur to ask the question either.
It's doubtful I'll ever be able to visit Japan, but articles like this along with the pictures take me there better than just blankly looking at a picture with a generic history attached ever could. Thank you for that.
Thanks for your comment. Your feedback is so helpful for my future writing. I just found out that there are several similar places in TN, which I would like to try someday! UBAYU is one of the extremes, even in Japan. There are lots of easier places to enjoy Japanese hot spring culture. I hope you have a chance to visit Japan in the future.
The vignette about your grandfather was so nice. I haven’t been in a hot spring since before the pandemic. I visited Kusatsu twice and loved the casual nature of hot springs there.
Thanks for your comment, Kate. During the pandemic, research showed that Kusatsu Onsen water had a new coronavirus-inactivating effect.
https://www.visit-gunma.jp/en/updates/update-003/
The spring water in Kusatsu Onsen is highly acidic. I like the quality and the high temperature of Kusatsu hot spring water.
Wow! That is super cool !
Thank you. I’m a big fan of low key hot springs. Definitely put on a list. Now in Shiobara, will try to find something here off the main stream(:
Thanks for your comment, Igor. Tochigi, where you are now, is a hot springs paradise in the Kanto region. You may like Shikanoyu at Nasu Yumoto, which is about an hour's drive from Shiobara. It used to be a low-key hot springs, but it is a pity that it became more popular.
http://www.shikanoyu.jp/s/
Called them now. Apparently no rotenburo, but looks very tempting(: thanks again.
Thanks, I will try(: although my transport is mostly my feet. As much as different organisations are trying to protect onsen culture I can see the trend of restricting people not staying to use bath facilities on pay basis. Eg in Shiobara none of 3 ryokans in Shiono-Yu offers “higaeri”. Also Yumori Tanakaya stopped allowing access to river baths of Oami onsen which are truly unique. I did get permission today and it was superb. And unfortunately glorious Fudono-Yu and Iwano -Yu although proudly displayed on route maps including Google are gone also.
Thanks for your comment, Igor. I agree with you that there are more restrictions on the pay basis. As for the hot springs that we find so appealing, I fear this trend will only intensify. Regarding Shikanoyu, it is interesting that there are six square wooden bath tabs every two degrees, and the temperature is different.
Thanks, this was a good tip, even I could not go this time, I added to Do List.