秩父川端温泉;凡の湯

■Date Saturday, February 14, 2026 Arrived at 11:30 AM ■Access Approximately 35 minutes by rental bicycle from Seibu Chichibu Station *We rented bicycles at the Tourist Information Center in front of Seibu Chichibu Station ■Crowdedness/Lockers Approximately 10 men There are lockable lockers and a clothes basket. The lockers were heated, but the temperature was high, and my body temperature didn't go down after my bath. Also, there was a strong smell. ■Hot Springs/Price Sodium Chloride Bicarbonate Cold Mineral Spring / ¥1,090 on Weekends and Holidays •Water Temperature: 20.7°C •Flow Rate: 47 liters (Power Pump) •pH: 8.5 •Total Dissolved Substances: 1934g Indoor and outdoor baths are available. The hot spring water is clear and colorless, with a chlorine-based scent. It feels slippery to the touch, and the temperature is around 42°C. The water is heated and circulated, but apparently no water is added. The hot spring's outlet is located inside the bath, so you can feel the strong water pressure if you stand nearby. The open-air bath offers a view of the river. The sauna has a low temperature in the front and a high temperature in the back. ■Amenities Shampoo/Body Soap: Provided Hair Dryer: Provided (Free) Lotion, etc.: Hair tonic provided Other: Nothing in particular ■Overall The strong chlorine smell and the hot, lingering odor in the changing room were major drawbacks for me. It's fine if you just want to wash off the sweat, but I didn't find it appealing enough to justify coming all the way to Chichibu to bathe.

I visited for the first time on January 2, 2026, on my way back from visiting a shrine. [Good Points] (1) I'm glad they open from 9:00 AM. I was able to soothe my chilled body after an early morning visit. (2) Because the price is high, it's relatively quiet. (3) The water isn't as thick as people say, but the open-air bath isn't too hot, so I was able to soak for a long time. [Concerns] (1) I went at 9:30 AM in the middle of winter, and the hallway was very cold. If you're prone to cold, your feet might get cold quickly even after soaking in the hot spring. I wish they offered indoor slippers. If you're prone to cold, you might want to bring your own. (2) The adult fee is quite high, and they also charge children, so it can be quite expensive if you go with your family. On the flip side, it doesn't seem to get too crowded. [Caution] Please note that there is a sign that tattoos are not allowed.

The water temperature was just right, neither too hot nor too lukewarm, allowing for a long soak. The washing area was spacious and easy to use. Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap were provided, and of course, each seat had a movable shower head. I didn't use them, but there was also a sauna and a cold water bath. There was also an open-air bath, so I was able to relax. The changing room had a row of square lockers that could be locked, so I wondered if it might be busy on certain days, but since I went around 4pm on a weekday, it was very empty. It seems that meals are also available, but I didn't use them, so I don't know the details. There was a wide selection of souvenirs, ice cream, and juice vending machines, as well as milk and pomegranate juice. I was told it was a rare high-concentration baking soda spring. I think it's just over a 10-minute drive from Nagatoro Station.

I searched for a day-trip hot spring in Chichibu where my husband and I could relax in a private room without worrying about other people's eyes, and I found "Chichibu Kawabata Onsen Bon no Yu". In terms of evaluation, the fact that you can use the room exclusively for two hours for 5900 yen for two people is good, but the catch is that there is an additional entrance fee of 950 yen per person. As a result, if you consider that the private room rental is 3900 yen per person, I honestly can't recommend it if you're only using the private room rental. Of course, you've already paid the entrance fee, so if you want to relax here all day, including using the public bath, restaurant, and rest area, then it might be worth considering. If you only use the public bath, it's 950 yen (weekdays), and you'll probably be satisfied with the quality of the bath.

Bon no Yu is overall clean and well-maintained. There are two types of saunas, one low-temperature and one high-temperature. The cold bath is set at around 17°C, which feels just right. For relaxation, there is a small riverside bench that seats two, and the atmosphere for cooling down is pleasant. Inside, Ichiro’s Malt whisky is available at the counter, which adds a nice touch. I tried the hormone (offal) set meal at the dining area—the taste was fine, but the portion size felt a bit small for the price. Personally, I especially enjoyed the outdoor baths. They let you relax while feeling close to nature, which was the highlight of my visit.