Oyamada Hot Spring Sarubino

Sarubino is a well-thought-out facility, and its central facility is Oyamada Onsen Sarubino. The entrance fee is 800 yen. After purchasing a ticket, go up to the second floor and you'll find the hot spring entrance. The baths are alternated between men and women, and the baths you can use change depending on the day. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two is the sauna. One is a dry sauna, and the other a mist sauna. The hot spring water is said to be around 35°C, which is quite lukewarm. The indoor bath on the lower floor is heated to 41°C, so that's probably the most recommended. There is also an open-air bath, but it's on the smaller side. The water temperature is generally not high, so it's a good hot spring for those who like to soak for a long time. The alkaline hot spring leaves your skin feeling slippery and smooth, but the alkalinity isn't too strong, so I felt it was a good solution.

The hot spring is absolutely fantastic! The water is exceptionally soft, making it incredibly soothing for the skin, and there’s a wonderful variety of facilities available, both indoors and outdoors, that cater to all preferences. You can relax in a tranquil indoor pool surrounded by beautiful architecture or enjoy the fresh air in the outdoor hot tubs, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The sauna was also quite nice, providing a perfect way to unwind after a long soak. The ambiance is serene, and the overall experience is truly rejuvenating! 👍

Sadly, it's a mystery to me how this place got 4 stars. Most onsen pools are luke warm and the water seems the identical kind in all places. There is no cold water tub to cool off, not even a cold water basin to fetch water from by the bucket. Several options were closed or not functioning in the men's bath. Not worth the drive up the winding road. It seems over the hill in terms of upkeep, unfortunately.

Great place: a wide selection of outdoor and indoor baths. The meal we had afterwards was decently priced and very good. The staff were friendly and actually gave my 2-year-old niece a massive soft toy which we had to decline because of the space it took in the car. >__< I'd love to go back.

A solid 7/10 as far as onsen experiences go. It has everything you want but just lacks a wow factor. Clean, family atmosphere, with restaurant and rest area. You will not be disappointed.