Nishōnai Hot Spring

I visited on May 29, 2021. Due to travel arrangements, I arrived around 7:30 PM. I bathed using my car's headlights. The path to the hot spring follows a mountain road towards Aoni Onsen. There's a fork in the road leading to Aoni Onsen, but instead of going that way, continue for another 6 kilometers on the other road towards Nishonai Dam. After descending the mountain road, you'll reach an open area. Nishonai Onsen was bubbling up in the grassy area below the road. The entire journey up to this point is paved with asphalt and easily accessible by regular car. However, the road is narrow, so be careful of oncoming traffic. There were also some fallen rocks, about the size of a fist. Please also be very careful of animals suddenly appearing. The path descending to the grassy area where Nishonai Onsen is located is very slippery due to mud and water from the mountain. The grassy area is like a wetland and is muddy. There is algae on the bathtub and the pipes leading to the hot spring, but the water flow is abundant, so the water is very fresh. When you enter the bathtub, there is a wooden slatted mat on the floor. The water is deep enough to stand in, so it is dangerous for small children.

I'd checked the navigation system on my phone countless times and had been wanting to go, and finally my wish came true. (lol) The route there was just as everyone had described. Well, when I arrived and looked around, I was alone in the empty space. But it wouldn't be out of place if the bears that have been making a lot of noise recently were there. 💦 I was so scared, thinking that if I were attacked here, no one would notice. 💦 But I had come all this way, and I couldn't leave without taking a bath! ️ I made up my mind and went in. When I got right in front of it, I was like, "Is this really a bathtub?" It was slippery! 💦 It was covered in moss! (lol) I took off my clothes right there and got in. Wow, even the slats under my feet were slippery! 💦 It was an amazing bath. (lol) After that, I hurried out and got changed. 💦 I was so worried about the bear that I couldn't take a long bath, but it was a memorable experience.

From the road leading to the lamp-lit Aoni Onsen, take the forest road that goes beyond the Nishonai Dam. After following the winding road, you'll come to a wide-open area. In one corner of this wide area is a concrete irrigation ditch about one meter square. That's the hidden hot spring, Nishonai Onsen. Of course, it's free, there are no changing rooms, and it's completely exposed. A small, handwritten sign is the landmark. The hot spring water flows continuously into the square concrete ditch. The inside is full of green algae 🎵 The water seems to have a faint hot spring smell, but that might just be my imagination. In any case, it's worth taking a dip.

Nishonai Dam The road is closed to traffic from May 8th to October 30th due to construction. The road is paved, but there are rockfalls and rough sections along the way, so it's best not to go in a regular car. If you do go, you need to be prepared for the challenges. There was heavy machinery due to the ongoing construction. For those using the hot springs, the bathtubs? or perhaps the water collection basins? are quite dirty. You should be prepared before bathing.

Visited July 2020 Sometimes the gate is closed before reaching the dam, so even in summer, whether you can reach it depends on luck. The temperature is listed as 35.5℃, but it felt a bit warmer. If you plan to enter, you should at least bring cleaning supplies. The view of the dam lake from a short walk away has a secluded, tranquil atmosphere. It's worth coming just to see it from here.