Natsume Bekkan

Forest, nothing but forest around. The view from the dining room window is nothing but forest. It's a breathtaking sight. If you took a photo and edited the image to gray, the forest is so beautiful it could easily be used as the cover of a black metal band's CD. I'm not sure what I'd be doing staying here, surrounded by nothing but forest, but I came here for a day trip to enjoy the gohei mochi and bath. The bath is tiny and looks like an old-fashioned public bath, but the gohei mochi is what really matters! It's delicious! Most gohei mochi tastes the same, but the gohei mochi here has a slight caramel sweetness that makes it not only delicious but also unique. By the way, it seems that gohei mochi is removed from the meal menu in the summer. "Surrounded by endless forest, there is no escape—only trees, shadows, and silence. From the dining hall window, the world offers nothing but a vast and oppressive woodland. Captured in grayscale, it becomes not just an image, but a statement of despair— worthy of adorning the cover of a black metal relic, forgotten by light. Why would one come here to stay? There is no answer, only the weight of the trees and the echo of one's own thoughts. I do not seek meaning—I come alone, drawn only by the sacred ritual of gohei-mochi and the cleaning heat of a crumbling bathhouse. The bath is no haven—small, worn, like the ruins of a belief long abandoned. But the gohei-mochi… It is unlike the rest. Infused with a ghost of caramel sweetness, it whispers of fleeting pleasure within a world that has long since rotted. And in summer, even that is taken away."**

[A Showa-era inn run by kind people, with spacious Japanese-style rooms and a great night view] Since we have active children, we appreciated the spacious Japanese-style rooms. The staff, who seem to be in their 60s, were very welcoming and welcoming. The inn is located at the end of a winding mountain path. The 7-Eleven at the foot of the mountain is the last store, so buy your essentials there before continuing your climb. The hot springs are lukewarm, while the open-air baths are hot. It's small and relaxing. There are only about three showers, and the bath isn't quite as large as a large public bath, but we were able to relax with our children. We were very satisfied. The facility has carpeted corridors, narrow passageways, and many stairs, giving it a charming feel. Some doors are heavy and give the impression of a Showa-era feel, but it seems to be undergoing renovations as it's managed. It's cleaned, but its age is unavoidable, and it's charming. We didn't have meals, so we'd like to try them next time. ◎A reasonably priced inn that's easy to book even at the last minute. The hosts are a warm-hearted couple with grandchildren. You can get a good view of the night view from the lobby or outside. The vending machine inside the inn is only 100 yen, even though it's on top of a mountain! Thank you. ✖️I wouldn't recommend this inn to people who like modern, trendy inns and new facilities, or people in wheelchairs or with mobility issues.

Daytime bathing: 600 yen Saturday noon, no other guests. There were quite a few hikers in the mountains, though. The hostess at the inn said they don't offer daytime baths on some days, so today was a good day. I searched for "mineral springs" and found this place, but since there's no mention of it in the legal notices, signs, or pamphlets, I'm guessing it's just spring water, not hot springs or mineral springs. The bathroom smells earthy, which is definitely due to the fresh spring water circulating. There's almost no chlorine smell. The jacuzzi is amazing. It's lukewarm. Both the indoor and outdoor baths are well-maintained. It's a decent bath, and it's comfortable and exclusive. From the bathroom, you can only see trees, but from the lobby, you can enjoy a stunning, unobstructed view of Toyohashi. The location is impeccable. There are ruins above that suggest they might be the remains of the main building.

I only used the day bath. According to the notice at reception, day bathing is only available on weekends and holidays. Both the indoor and outdoor baths had great water. The building looks like a single-story structure, but it has two floors above ground and one below ground, and there is an elevator. Everything is retro in a good way. The restroom near the bath had a Japanese-style floor with Showa-era tiles. There is also no convenience store. Snacks are sold inside the building, and there are vending machines. There was also a small, cafe-like space. It's located on top of a mountain (halfway up?), so if you come by car, you'll have to drive back and forth on a narrow, winding road. Please turn on your headlights and drive safely.

This cold mineral spring is located just below the summit of Mt. Ishimaki. While it's not a so-called "designated spring," it has a long history and was once the site of a military sanatorium. Now, it's the only one still in operation, and the surrounding area is filled with the desolate sight of dilapidated inns. However, the night view from the open-air bath and the genuine, unpretentious Showa-era retro interior are incredibly impressive and wonderful. I highly recommend it. The only minor issue was that the food was a little too salty. Please understand the 4-star rating for service for that reason.