Ashikaga Kashimaen Onsen

For those born in the Showa era, the exterior evokes a sense of nostalgia, suggesting that this is what a suburban health center might have looked like if it had survived. At night, the neon lights shine, making it feel even more nostalgic. Inside, the corridor is dimly lit, and perhaps to conserve energy, fluorescent lights have been removed. A motion sensor activates, and a cheerful voice calls out from the back, "Welcome!" A lively woman explains the facilities, and we proceed to the rooftop observation bath. It truly is an observation bath! The bath area appears to be the former driving range floor! You can even see it from the houses in the background if you try hard enough! The water quality is good, and it's heated to a comfortable temperature. There's a large public bath in the basement; while some reviews mentioned the showers not having hot water, it seems to be working fine now. It features a waterfall shower, jacuzzi, cold bath, and sauna. The cold bath wasn't too cold; perhaps that's the source of the hot spring water? Because the building is large, it might not be suitable for those who are concerned about cleanliness and building maintenance. However, if you understand that, it's a hot spring with good water quality where you can relax without encountering many people. It's perfect for those who want to reminisce about the Showa era and love retro things. Day trips are 800 yen, and overnight stays are also possible.

In a word, it's amazing. It's a huge explosion of Showa-era retro! Drop-in baths are 800 yen for adults, with no time limit. The building is large but dilapidated. It also has a hot spring ♨️ and a driving range. The large public bath is underground, with a concrete ceiling. Bathing feels tense, as pipes suspended from the ceiling, supported by rusty metal fittings, could collapse at any moment. Some of the floor tiles are peeling, and you have to walk around areas where wastewater has accumulated. There's a sauna and a cold bath. There's no open-air bath, and no view. There's a large open-air bath with a view on the second floor, but it's not truly open-air, and the view isn't as good as you'd expect. Karaoke is available. There's a restaurant (reasonably priced). It also functions as a business hotel (2,500 yen per person for multiple people).

I've been to many hot springs and inns in my time, but this was the most shocking place I've ever been to. The atmosphere is quite nice from the entrance, but the bathroom, which I couldn't take any photos of because photography was prohibited, is an entirely different highlight. The word "retro" really hits the spot. The "large observation bath" is located in a room of about 30 tatami mats, and the changing room, bathtub, and washing area are all in one room, an unusual design. It's a facility that I recommend you go to as an experience, but I don't recommend it for people with fastidious tendencies.

It's a bit Showa retro, or maybe a bit on the verge of being abandoned... Anyway, it's a hot spring that offers a valuable experience. It must have been bustling in its heyday, as there are several very spacious rest areas. The bathroom has an exposed concrete ceiling, giving it a very abandoned feel. The sauna was in good condition. However, it was well-cleaned and didn't feel dirty. It was just in a bit of a slump. I enjoyed it alone, feeling excited. The cost is 800 yen plus 200 yen for the purchase of a hand towel. There are also plenty of shops and vending machines

I visited on a Friday evening. I only saw one person leaving when I arrived, two while I was bathing, and one more on my way out, so I was able to relax! The building has one basement floor and two stories, with the baths in the basement. The second floor has a semi-open-air bath, which I had all to myself ♨️ The water had no particular smell and felt like a nice hot spring. The shower water was very lukewarm, but the bathwater was quite hot. It has a very Showa-era feel, or perhaps a slightly eerie atmosphere. The entrance fee is 800 yen.