Kaniyu, Okukinu Onsenkyo, Tochigi Pref.

Daiichi Rotenburo, or the first open-air bath exclusively for ladies at Kaniyu. (photo: Nov. 2009)

I went hiking last Sunday to Okukinu Onsenkyo (奥鬼怒温泉郷） in Tochigi Prefecture. There are four onsens at Okukinu Onsenkyo; NIkkosawa, Teshirozawa, Hacchonoyu and Kaniyu. All of them but Teshirozawa accept day visit soaking and I visited all three. Kaniyu (加仁湯) is the biggest among them.

There are one rotenburo for ladies, many mixed gender rotenburos, gender separated indoor baths, and some private baths for overnight staying guests. They have five fountainheads.

Recent Updates

[1] Funsenchi of Gero Onsen, Gifu Pref. has changed dramatically. It's surrounded with primitive walls now, and all soakers regardless gender and age are required to wear swimsuites. Swimsuites bathing is in transition period now and obligatetory from Feb. 1, 2010 (I think if we have to wear swimsuites, walls aren't necessary). See my post "Funsenchi, Gero Onsen, Gifu Pref." dated Jan.17, 2009.

[2] After the DPJ's landslide victory over LDP at the general election last weekend, future of the Kawarayu Onsen, Gunma Pref. gets unpredictable, as the DPJ has promised to suspend construction of Yamba Dam, which was going to submarge the Kawarayu Onsen.

The Yamba Dam construction plan first made public about 60 years ago. Residents of the Kawarayu Onsen accepted the plan in 2001 after severe opposition activities against it for several decades, and before the recent election, they were supposed to move alternative site "New Kawarayu Onsen" in a few years. See my post "Kawarayu Onsen, Gunma Pref. (1)" dated Jan. 24, 2009.

[3] Added how to go to the Kita Onsen, Tochigi Pref. by public transportation. See my post " Kita Onsen Ryokan, Tochigi Pref." dated Mar. 6, 2009

Kita Onsen Ryokan, Tochigi Pref.

Kita Onsen of Tochigi Pref, Kanto Region might be too famous to say hitou or hidden onsen. But this is one of my favorites. There is only one Japanese inn "Kita Onsen Ryokan" at Kita Onsen.

What's the charm? Well, parts of the building including 20 guest rooms were built in later 19th century, and they are still in use today. I mean you can stay at a room built in Shogun & Samurai days of Edo Period. I still can't believe wireless Wi-Fi internet access is available now (But their website says so).

The oldest and best known bath is "Tengu no Yu", a bath of Tengu. The Tengu is one of the legendary monster-spirits of Japan (more information on Tengu in Wikipedia). As you see their face masks in the picture above, they are believed to have red faces and Pinocchio-like noses. It is said a Tengu had found Kita Onsen in late 8th century, that's why the bath was named "Tengu no Yu". This is an indoor mixed bath without changing room. Actually, it's more like a part of corridor than a bath room.