倉真赤石温泉

I love secluded and unusual hot springs, and I finally managed to find this place on Google Maps and make it here. The grandfather, who loves to talk and has large earlobes, and his cheerful and fun daughter showed me pictures and told me interesting stories for about an hour. He loves waterfalls so much that he bought the whole mountain because he wanted his own waterfall, and because of his landscaping job, he even carved out the mountain paths himself. He told me a story about how he struck a hot spring with pinpoint accuracy after receiving a message from a Jizo statue (?!), and about the many animals that appear there, such as flying squirrels, deer, and badgers. It was a very enjoyable time. At the entrance, there was a lucky-looking rock that looked like a turtle shell; it was small but incredibly heavy, and they found it on the mountain as well. Apparently, there used to be a hot spring at the foot of the mountain, and you could ride a trolley down and soak in the hot spring while looking up at their prized waterfall. On a different note, the hot spring itself is 100% natural spring water, and there were even mineral deposits floating in it. The temperature was just right, making me want to stay in forever. Bathing with the large windows open allowed me to enjoy the forest air as well, and it felt absolutely wonderful. I would definitely like to visit again. As others have mentioned, no detergents or soaps are allowed. Bathing time is limited to 40 minutes, and due to the effects of COVID-19, meals are not currently available. The only thing we were able to buy was hot spring eggs. My daughter raved about them; these hot spring eggs have an indescribable flavor that truly embodies what a hot spring egg should be, and they were absolutely delicious! I regretted not buying more. Those planning to visit must make a reservation by phone, but it was a very good hot spring and well worth the visit. I highly recommend it.

This hot spring feels like a truly secluded place. The bathroom is suffused with a strong sulfur smell, and features a single, tiny bathtub large enough for about three adults, two sinks, and no shampoo or soap (to avoid washing away the alkaline ingredients). The water is very slippery and rich in mineral deposits. It's also quite warm, so you can stay in the bath for hours and stay warm. Opening the sash windows lets you enjoy the natural forest, the babbling brook, and the chirping of birds—a truly luxurious experience. The water's color also changes over time, and I purchased 2 liters of it. It initially appeared pale green (apparently the green had already faded by the time I received it), but by the time I got home it had turned a very pale blue. While I didn't detect any carbonated spring water in the bath, the container I purchased contained a fair amount of bubbles, and, as a kind gesture, even mineral deposits. Other specialties of this hot spring include the slightly green onsen eggs and the talkative old hermit who explains things to me. The hermit and his daughter even kindly saw me off when I left. However, the road about 700m before the facility (a private road) is quite narrow, making it difficult to pass other vehicles, and we also encountered a herd of deer.Although the facility is open all year round, it may close temporarily if there is business, so caution is required.

A hidden hot spring in Kakegawa. As of September 2020, it is open only to residents of the prefecture with reservations on weekends. It's not a place for everyone, but hot spring lovers will love it! There's a waterfall on the premises. It's a rare carbonated sulfur spring. Because the source temperature is low, the carbonation evaporates when heated, but in the summer, you can enjoy a bubble bath with the natural hot spring water. Akaishi Onsen is also famous for its uncle. He's known as the hermit or chairman, but here we'll call him uncle. He gazes upon everything with loving eyes. Since he dug the hot spring himself, he will tell you all about it in detail. The food at the hot spring is also made with plenty of vegetables grown by the uncle, which is another fun part of visiting. Since he runs it alone, it can be difficult at times, so please be aware of this before visiting. The road to the hot spring seems like a forest road, but it is meticulously maintained, so it's easy to get to unless you have an extremely low-slung vehicle. This is one of the best hot springs in the Tokai mountains.

This is a small hot spring located deep in the mountains, exuding a secluded atmosphere. You have to travel about 700 meters down an incredibly narrow, unpaved road to get there, which can be quite frightening for those unsure of their driving ability. There is only space for about three cars in the parking lot, and the entrance fee is a slightly pricey 1,050 yen. The hot spring's selling point is its unusual sulfur-based carbonated spring water. It's low temperature, but it warms the body thoroughly. Because it's not too hot, you can soak in it for a long time. It's rich in mineral components. The indoor bath has two shower heads, and the tub can fit four people. It's not a place for large groups, so this shouldn't be a problem. The view is nothing but greenery, and rather than being good or bad, it's simply mountains. The hot spring eggs (150 yen) are unusual and have a chocolate mint color, so I recommend buying one and eating it as a conversation starter.

The water is wonderfully smooth and silky. It might be the best in Enshu. The boiled eggs, which turn a peppermint green color when cooked in the hot spring, are also adorable. The owner apparently bought that 9,000-tsubo (approximately 30,000 square meters) plot of land because he wanted a waterfall. Later, after cleaning up a Jizo statue that had been abandoned in the mountains and building a shrine, he had a dream that if he dug, he would find a hot spring. So he started drilling. After digging 700 meters, one day, carbonated spring water gushed out of the hole he had dug. The spring water is a cold 22℃, so the indoor bath is heated. There's an open-air bath (a plastic bath) on the roof, and since it uses the spring water directly, it's supposedly incredibly carbonated. Next time, I'd like to come in the summer and experience the rooftop spring water.