道の駅 喜多の郷「蔵の湯」

February 19, 2026. After warming up in a bargain 300 yen hot spring, we continued to sleep in the car. The large indoor and outdoor baths were great. On this day, snow was falling lightly and the temperature was below freezing, so we enjoyed the slightly warmer outdoor bath. My girlfriend was also happy to experience the snow-viewing bath. In the outdoor bath, two young locals in their 20s talked about their work worries and how glad they were that there was less snow than last year. Their language was somewhat difficult to understand, partly in dialect, but it was fascinating to listen. At the end, they passionately recounted the harsh life of their friend, a member of the Self-Defense Forces. Their imaginative voices, as if they'd seen an alien, spoke with a sense of youthful curiosity for the unknown. Watching them leave, I found it a little funny that there was no love talk this time.

It's very convenient to be able to use the pleasant hot spring (with open-air bath and sauna) for just 500 yen. 😃 The shoe lockers to the left of the entrance are unlocked, so be sure to remember the number (I forgot). After paying at the reception (PayPay is accepted), head to the changing room at the back of the rest area. There are valuables lockers at the entrance to the changing room, and there are also lockers in the changing room. There are two sizes of lockers: one with a 100-yen return and one with an open shelf with a basket. There is rinse-in shampoo and body soap, but I think there was only one set for every two or three showers. The hot spring was clean and had a bright atmosphere, making it a place I'd like to return to. 😊

I came here to take a bath in the hot springs. 500 yen is a bargain, considering it includes a sauna and an open-air bath. 🎵 The bath is big, and there are plenty of washing areas, so it has a great capacity. 🎵 Plus, the shower has incredible water pressure. It's great for scalp care. The sauna is small, but it's hot. 🎵 The cold bath is small, but just right. The open-air bath is deep. ✨You can relax there. ♪ You get your money back from the coin lockers. It's annoying when lockers don't return, but this one is fine. But the lockers are small. 🎵 Winter clothes won't fit. 😃 Also, the rest area is spacious. The area around the store is full of strange things. I question their sense, but it's fun. It's hilarious. 🎵

I visited on a Friday evening. It wasn't too crowded, and the washing area was sometimes full... When I was soaking in the bath and the washing area was full, for some reason everyone was bald (even on top of their heads), and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. 🤦...🙇♂️ The important ♨️ sauna was only big enough for 5-6 people, so we lined up like sardines and couldn't get a full bath, so we gave up after the first round. ⤵︎ I was surprised to see some old local guys just barging in and out. 🫨 There was only one door, and they were going in and out so quickly that the heat died down. 🌡️ I wouldn't recommend the sauna. One large indoor bath and one outdoor bath cost 500 yen. Maybe it's good for a quick dip!‼️

Closing time was supposed to be 9PM, we arrived at 8:25 and we were told that the closing time was changed to 8:30. We were still there before 8:30 and all we really wanted to do was take a quick shower after traveling all day. They also do not allow tattoos even though it's a government owned/operated onsen. The government of Japan has asked all onsens to allow foreigners with tattoos to be able to utilize their facilities since 2015. Almost 10 years later and so many places do not allow them.