Moritake Hot Spring

With December here, illumination lighting ceremonies are being held all over Japan. It's become a real tradition at this time of year, hasn't it? (#^.^#) While I've heard about illuminations in various places in Akita Prefecture, I hadn't noticed Moritake Onsen in Mitane Town at all! I discovered it in a newspaper article, and of course, once I found it, I had to go! (lol) The location is at the very back of Moritake Onsen, a little past the footbath. A Christmas tree illumination greets you in front of the footbath. First, a quick photo from the front! The lights, made using bamboo tubes—a Mitane Town specialty also seen in the sand crafts at Kamaya Beach—are beautiful. And here's another specialty: the "Pink Anywhere Door," also displayed at Sozaburo-numa Park. It's adorable wherever it is! (#^.^#) Opening the Pink Anywhere Door reveals a tunnel of illuminations. Let's stroll through and admire it! Waiting at the end of the tunnel is the monument-style illumination of "Moritake Onsen." It's quite simple, combining bamboo tubes with a single-color, straight line of illumination. Perhaps because of this simplicity, it has a wonderfully calm atmosphere. Although small in scale, the elaborate presentation is enjoyable. It was the first illumination I saw this year, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! (*^^)v

A day trip to the baths costs 400 yen. I think it's a reasonable price. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first thing they did was check whether I was from outside the prefecture. Personally, I don't really like this kind of treatment. It would be embarrassing to think that if I was from outside the prefecture, they would turn me away. It would have been more considerate to at least put up a large notice at the entrance. I was also bothered by the sheer number of notices in the changing room. I think hot spring changing rooms generally have a few notices, but seeing 7 or 8 in a space that isn't particularly large is a bit much. I liked the temperature and quality of the hot spring, but for the reasons mentioned above, I'll give it 3 stars.

This hot spring town has a really nice atmosphere. Many of the surrounding inns are closed, giving it a dreary feel, but there's a spring that gushes out just up the slope, a free foot bath, and a cat taking a leisurely nap. It really was charming. I'd love to live in a place like this. Take a leisurely stroll every day, say hello to the cats, then come home and take a nap. In the evening, soak in the warm hot springs. Just imagining it makes me happy. The hot spring is a strong salt spring that you won't find anywhere else. You can't soak for long, but it became a fond memory. The yakiniku at Moritake Onsen Hotel where I stayed was also very delicious.

The management is awful! The customer service is terrible! They're taking advantage of the docile nature of Akita residents! They're not customer-oriented! With the end of the Akita residents' discount, the number of customers will plummet. No doubt about it! I'm sure this comment will be deleted soon anyway. I recommended it to a friend, but he got mad at me for bad manners. I can't recommend it to anyone again!

While the Moritake Onsen area itself has a somewhat run-down feel compared to the past, the quality of the hot springs is superb! The water temperature varies depending on the facility. If you prefer lukewarm water, head to the Moritake Onsen Hotel shown in the picture!