Kappa no Yu

This hot spring is free to bathe in, and considering that, it's well maintained. When I go it's always empty, so I can relax. The water is clear and colorless, with a smooth, mild flavor, but the sunlight gives it a slightly colored appearance, making it very beautiful. There's a faint smell of Glauber's salt. The water was lukewarm that day, but it was still pleasant. Some areas are a little hotter towards the outlet, so it's fun to find a spot in the large open-air bath with the right temperature. Since you can use such a magnificent open-air bath for free, it's important to be mindful of etiquette. I'm not sure if the repellent is effective, but I've never seen one here, but snakes are scary.

This free, time-limited mixed-gender open-air bath is located at the entrance to Okuyagen "Kappa no Sato," just to the left of the bridge crossing the Yunomata River, at the back of the parking lot. Since I came here after a hot bath in Shimoburo Onsen, it felt very lukewarm. Even though you can soak for a long time, it's cold in winter, not so bad in summer. Also, since there's no roof, the bath is filled with fallen leaves, which cling to your body. (There is a scoop net.) A female customer came in mid-way, but since it was mostly men, she left! Apparently, there are also snakes in the area. It's free, so that can't be helped.

The location is a little hard to find, at the back of the parking lot. Men and women are separated by time of day, so if a man and woman go together, one of them will not be able to enter. The water is a little lukewarm, but that allows you to enjoy it slowly. Despite being free, various considerations have been made, but it's probably not suitable for impatient or overly sensitive people; in fact, they shouldn't come at all.

The bathing times are separated for men and women. It's located down a short flight of stairs. The water is colorless and transparent, with no particular smell, but it's very nice. It said the temperature was around 39.1℃. Depending on the season, it might feel lukewarm, but the area where the green hose comes out is slightly warmer. Shampoo and body soap are not allowed. It's a hot spring for soaking only.

Long ago, it was a mixed bath, covered in moss, and had no roof, so you could bathe even in the middle of winter, but now it is properly maintained. The water is lukewarm, so if you bathe in the cold season, you won't be able to get out.