Karst Hot Spring

This is one of the hot springs in Mine City, but it's not the kind of hot spring that tourists would visit; it's more of a bathing facility for locals. It's more expensive for people from outside Mine City. The parking lot isn't very large, but considering the capacity of the bath, it's probably reasonable. It's closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and also on public holidays and during Obon (summer festival). It's truly not geared towards tourists. It's not exactly a hidden hot spring known only to a select few. You pay at the reception after entering. There are no lockers in the changing room, but there are coin lockers near the reception. However, they're not free; you get 100 yen back when you return the key. Very convenient. The changing room is very small. As mentioned earlier, there are no lockers, only baskets. You put your clothes in those before entering. Very cramped. Most of the users are locals. The average age is high, so they undress and dress very slowly. Also, they often forget to close the door. The bathing area is quite clean. There are only about five washing stations. There were also standing showers. There's no shampoo or anything, only bar soap. Bring your own if needed. I washed myself before getting into the bath. There's only one indoor bath. I think the water quality is very soft. It didn't feel too hot despite the temperature. I felt like I could stay in for quite a long time. Be careful not to get overheated. I got out, took a shower, and got back in. After a while, the receptionist took a water sample and changed the mat at the entrance. It's nice that they change the bath mat. The water is very soft and nice, but it's a place where locals relax, so they talk loudly in the bath. It's very noisy. Perhaps they're elderly and hard of hearing, because they speak quite loudly. There was one hairdryer in the changing room. It seems you can't use your own. Overall, I don't think it's a place tourists should go out of their way to visit. If there weren't so many people, it would be peaceful, but it's very crowded. Even on weekday afternoons, it's crowded. It was so crowded that I wondered if these people didn't have baths at home. Perhaps it's because the bathing fee is cheap for Mine residents. Mine is a very elderly-friendly place. There was a car parked in a strange way. I wondered if the driver should give up their license, but living without a car in Mine is hard to imagine. There is a ramp at the entrance (as it is a public facility), but the bath is small, so it might be difficult for people in wheelchairs.

Located on the road from Ogori to Mine, Karst Hot Springs is so inconspicuous you might pass it by. That's because it's more of a community center than a hot spring facility. Karst Hot Springs was built as a trade-off with the waste incineration plant. It was created as a regional development measure funded by the waste incineration plant's construction. Although it's open to the public, it's primarily a facility for the local community. As a result, city residents can enter for half price. Many of the customers seem to be from the city, and the receptionist first asks, "Are you from the city?" This is a community-based public bathhouse. The water is an alkaline simple sulfur spring, milky white and smooth to the touch. The smell varies depending on the day, but on this day, it was relatively mild. Perhaps because people usually know each other, greetings are exchanged at the reception and in the baths. Casual conversations like "This year's Koshien was so exciting" echo through the bathroom. While being close to the locals has its pros and cons, I didn't notice any negative aspects here. There's no xenophobic atmosphere, and even travelers are treated like locals. This is evident in a small nod or a casual greeting. Karst Onsen allows you to experience the best aspects of a sparsely populated area. In addition to using the facilities, you can also take home hot spring water. There's a coin-operated hot spring water vending machine in the parking lot at the back. One coin buys 40 liters. I don't have any particular use for it, but I'd like to try it. The hot spring water warms people and brings them together. It's a great example. August 27, 2018 Yuyamoto Tsuneichi

I was curious about it, so I stopped by on my way back from golf. It costs 500 yen for people from outside Mine City. The changing room is small and cramped with four people. The bathtub and washing area aren't very spacious; the bathtub is full with six or seven adults stretching their legs. There are seven washing stations, and only soap is provided. There's a 100 yen deposit box for valuables (refundable). The water feels very smooth and pleasant on the skin. There were many elderly people, so it seemed to be a local favorite. After bathing, there's a rest area with tatami mats and sofas where you can relax. You can also take home some of the hot spring water at the back of the parking lot.

Valuables should be returned in the 100 yen lockers near the reception desk. There is only bar soap in the washroom. The shower doesn't shut off automatically, making it easy to wash. The water is slimy. The free tatami room has a no-entry sign posted as a COVID-19 countermeasure, but a Western-style sofa that seats about 12 people is open, and the TV is facing the receptionist, as if to say, "I'm the one watching it."

After seeing the karst, I wanted to take a bath in the hot springs, so I visited. I told them I didn't have a towel, and they lent me one for free, which I was really grateful for. There is only one indoor bath, and they don't provide shampoo. The water was thick and smooth, like Mimata Onsen, and it felt even better. There is a water cooler in the rest room, so you can drink the water. I highly recommend you go.