Mito Onsen Hot Spring

I stayed overnight in my car on the weekend. The parking lot for two RVs was already full, so I spent the night in the general parking lot. I soaked in the hot springs in the evening and morning, and the thick, refreshing water was very pleasant. There was also a covered open-air bath, so I enjoyed the different scenery in the morning and evening. There is also Mimata Onsen, which has similar spring water, but I found this one to be more pleasant. After bathing, I was given free tea and water in the spacious tatami rest area. Ishigo-no-Sato, the ancestor of the Shiba Inu, is also nearby, so I stopped by on my way back. There was also a farmer's market and restaurant on the same premises. After my morning bath, I had some "Uzume-meshi" (rice with simmered rice) being sold in a shed(?) outside. Locals were there, chatting and enjoying the food. It was my first time eating Uzume-meshi, and it was delicious! ♪ If you're ever there, be sure to give it a try! (*´∀｀) (Apparently, it's only available on the third Sunday of each month.) I'll definitely return.

After parking your car in the free parking lot and entering the building, you'll find free shoe lockers on both sides. There are both locked and unlocked shoe lockers, and no doors. Feel free to park wherever you like. Continuing forward, you'll see the reception on your right. Pay the 500 yen bathing fee and enter. PayPay is also accepted. In the changing room, the lockers with locks are free! There are three sinks and hair dryers. There's also a water cooler. In the bathroom, there are 11 washing areas, two of which are enclosed semi-compartments. Body soap and rinse-in shampoo are provided. The bathtub is rock-style, with soft, slippery water that's not too hot. The chlorine smell is barely noticeable. The open-air bath is rock-style and covered. It's a little deep, but sitting on the stones inside feels just right. It's not slippery, and if you're sensitive to the chlorine smell, the indoor bath is better. There's also a spacious lounge, making this a great, cost-effective facility where you can relax. I highly recommend it!

I followed my guide and entered the hot spring. The water was very soothing to the body. It's a type of hot spring that you don't often experience elsewhere, and it soothed both body and mind, and the cold night sky was also very pleasant. Drinking some yuzukko after the hot spring, with my body warmed, is the ultimate in relaxation that nothing can replace. Apparently, this area is the origin of the Shiba Inu, and there was an interesting stone statue. The stone statues are there so that people can make comments like, "It's just a stone, but it's called a stone!" (Shut up!) Do go and see the stone statues. They will be irreplaceable memories.

It's been a while since my last day trip to a hot spring ♨️ Today I went to Mitu Onsen Yumotokan ♨️, which is known for its skin-beautifying baths ♨️ It was amazing!! ️🙇 I felt so refreshed and my skin is so smooth 😆 I also got to see Ishigo, the birthplace of the Shiba Inu, nearby 👍 It's the perfect place for an autumn drive 🫡!! ️

Today was my third time using the hot spring, and the quality of the spring water is so relaxing that it's worth making the effort to come back. ♨️ Body soap and conditioner shampoo are provided, but you can also use various shampoos for free. The hot spring water is so thick that you might wonder if it has soap in it.