上増田温泉 砦乃湯

I visited last Saturday. The fee is 800 yen for three hours. I was planning to go to Kurabuchi Onsen after reading reviews saying the water quality was good and it was a relaxing place to visit, but I suddenly changed my plans and went here instead. The water quality was very good, but perhaps because there weren't many people using the facility, there was no air conditioning in the changing rooms, so I hesitated to take off my clothes. I almost thought elderly people might get heat shock. I understand that they want to save energy, but I wish the changing rooms were heated at this time of year to prevent accidents. The lounge had a heater, but there was only one, so it was cold, and it was a shame that my body, which had just warmed up in the nice water, got cold again. Although reviews said it was a relaxing place, it was so cold that I left after about an hour. Considering how cold it was, I felt that 800 yen was a bit expensive.

As of May 2025, major changes from the previous year include: Bath fee: ¥800 for 3 hours, ¥1000 for a full day The indoor bathtub has been remodeled to cypress The outdoor bathtub has been remodeled to about one-third its original size because water was leaking through the rocks. The sauna is still there. Meal options have returned, so I tried them out. I ordered a katsudon, which was fried with something similar to fried chicken flour, giving it a unique flavor. The rest area and dining area are in the same building, so I hesitated to use it without eating, and I wasn't sure if I should stay long enough... The water is still smooth and has a faint oily smell. It's good water. Aimagawa Onsen, just over the mountain, is cheaper and has a stronger mineral content, so it's probably a matter of personal preference.

Surrounded by mountains and nature, it's quiet and has a great atmosphere. The spring water is smooth, without any chlorine smell, and leaves your skin feeling shiny and refreshed, which is very pleasant. However, the temperature is generally on the lukewarm side (it feels like it's not quite 39-40 degrees Celsius). Personally, I think 41-42 degrees would be just right. Also, the sauna is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. However, they turn off the sauna at 6 PM, so be aware of that. It's in a good location, the spring water is good, and it's not crowded, which is great, but the operating hours are shorter than other hot springs in the area. I wish they would stay open until at least 8 or 9 PM, and stop turning off the sauna an hour earlier.

I used the hot springs as a day trip after hiking. It costs 800 yen for three hours for adults, and there are no discounts. It's a little small, but it has both an indoor and an open-air bath. The hot springs are of high quality, so it felt very comfortable. (The brown stuff in the bath is hot spring deposits, not dirt.) As the sign in the changing room says, the indoor bath is directly from the source, so it's lukewarm at around 39 degrees. The open-air bath is heated and maintained at around 41 degrees. There's also a restaurant, where meals cost around 1,000 yen. The ginger pork set meal (1,000 yen including tax) I had this time was very delicious. I'd like to come back if I'm in the area again.

I spotted a sign on the way to Matsuida's Spiral Fishway. The entrance to the road is narrow, so I hesitated a bit with my number plate number, but I decided to go in anyway. It was the right decision. There are one indoor and one outdoor bath, a sauna, and a cold bath. The indoor bath is a free-flowing bath with no added water or heating. The open-air bath is small, but very pleasant to soak in. The pH is said to be 8.0. Many hot springs only feel smooth at first, but this one stays smooth throughout the entire soak. It was renovated a few years ago, and the facilities are clean and tidy. The service was also pleasant, and I would like to return.