JOCA(ジョカ)東北

The hot spring is rather small, so you need to choose your day and time carefully to enjoy it peacefully. Also, it's difficult to find the hot spring within the facility. The most disappointing aspect is the parking lot. It's not very large, and because it's part of a complex, it's also used by the fitness gym, daycare center, and day care center for people with disabilities, so it's often full even on weekdays. Those traveling from afar should be aware of this. I've had to skip it several times because the parking lot was full, and there were several cars parked illegally on the street, causing a nuisance. I had high hopes for this new hot spring facility in Iwanuma City, but I won't be returning.

I visited the facility for the first time today, and after receiving a kind tour from someone who seemed to be a facility staff member, I walked around the facility and tried out the foot bath. I was slightly attracted to the products on sale, but while I was writing a thank you note, a cleaning staff member (elderly?) silently treated me rudely, which put a damper on my enthusiasm. Still, the atmosphere wasn't bad, so I searched for job openings, but they only advertised for specialist positions, which made me realize once again how intimidating it is... I wish they would at least accept part-time or casual behind-the-scenes work...

The hot spring was closed for repairs at the end of November, but reopened on December 14th! I immediately went to try the hot spring! The salt-rich ingredients really boost heat retention. A one-month gym membership for 4,500 yen also gives you unlimited access to the hot springs. At the soba restaurant Yabukame, their signature Bhutanese soba noodles and snacks are the best, and a post-bath beer is the best! I recommend buying freshly picked vegetables and bento boxes.

JOCA Tohoku Kamezuka Onsen is a hot spring facility located a 6-minute walk from the east exit of JR Iwanuma Station, and opened in March 2021.The natural hot spring is a 50°C chloride spring that springs from 1,200 meters underground and is named "Iwanuma no Yu." While the facility is simply furnished with only an open-air bath, indoor bath, and washing area, you can enjoy the natural hot spring water that will warm you from the inside out.

I was expecting something similar to NTC, but I was told that the staff are not necessarily affiliated with or experienced in JICA. It is a facility where people can eat and bathe without being affiliated with JICA. There is also play equipment for children on the first floor. Also, Hitsujimura, located a short distance from here, is also under the jurisdiction of JOCA Tohoku and is run by former JOCVs.