Kinjo no Sato

I use it after skiing at Maiko Snow Resort or Chateau Shiozawa. During ski season, the parking lot can fill up and you may not be able to find a parking spot right away. There is no open-air bath or sauna, but since it is a public facility aimed at locals, it is very reasonably priced. You take off your shoes at the entrance and purchase a pass to enter. The shoe lockers are not locker-type but just shelves, so please be careful of theft or mix-ups. The water is a little hot. The facility is heated and warm, and appears to be well-cleaned. There is a vending machine in what appears to be the lobby, and they have a decent selection of free comics to read. It has become almost a routine for me to soothe my skiing fatigue in the hot spring, then stretch my legs in the tatami-floored lounge and sip a cold Coke. From here, my usual routine is to stop by for Nagaoka ginger soy sauce ramen at the nearby Ichihachi Shoten.

It's an alkaline simple spring, so it's colorless and transparent, and I went there expecting it to be just like a public bath. The water was a comfortable temperature and softness. My skin felt so smooth afterwards, it was amazing. It's only 450 yen for people from outside the city. This price is amazing for a place that uses free-flowing hot spring water. The wash area is well separated, which makes it stress-free. The bathtub is spacious enough to maintain a comfortable distance. There are only two hair dryers, which are slow to dry, so it might be a bit of a hassle when it's crowded, but if that bothers you, you don't need to come. The entire place is clean, and it's a very satisfying hot spring. I'll definitely come back.

Stopped in for a bath after hiking Mt. Makihata. Approximately 14km and 25 minutes from Sakurazaka Third Parking Lot. Day-use bathing costs 450 yen. The hot spring is a clear, colorless, alkaline, simple hot spring directly from the source. There is a large Japanese-style hall where you can rest for free after bathing. There are four sinks and two hair dryers. The changing room has 36 boxes where you put your belongings in baskets. There is no toilet in the changing room. There are coin lockers for valuables. No 100 yen fee required. There is only one indoor bath. There are eight partitioned seats in the washing area. Rinse-in shampoo and body soap are provided. This is a clean, day-use bathing facility frequented by locals.

I went on a Sunday around 5pm, but it was so full that there was no parking space, so I went back at 6pm and it was much less crowded. There is only one bath, but to make it easier for children and the elderly to get in, there is a step in the tub and a comfortable seat. Shampoo and body wash are provided. The waiting room is also nice and large. The price is also cheap, about 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children, which is very convenient.

I came here because Muika Snow Resort doesn't open its baths to day visitors. Even for out-of-town visitors, it's a good value at just 450 yen. The baths are indoors with eight washbasins, which is quite standard, but they're full on weekends and holidays. There's only parking for about 30 cars, and in winter the access roads are very narrow due to the snow. I recommend considering the time of day before you go.