Sakasamaki hot spring Kawazuya

I stayed at this inn at the beginning of April. The Japan Society for Preserving Secret Hot Springs is currently on hiatus, and it has about 10 rooms. As of April 2024, it was limited to two groups, but another group canceled, so we had the inn all to ourselves. Despite being located in the mountains, the inn is well-maintained, and the rooms and dining area were very clean. Located halfway up the mountain, the views of the river and other areas from above were spectacular. Being far from the river, it was very quiet during our stay. The hot spring, as the name suggests, is a cave hot spring, truly nestled deep in the mountain slope. While the indoor bath obscures the view, it's incredibly warming. After bathing, you can drink the cold hot spring water, but it's delicious, so be careful not to overindulge. Dinner featured a selection of dishes unique to this inn, including river fish and mountain vegetables. The main course was bear hotpot! It was delicious and had no odor. I'd add that it was the perfect accompaniment to sake. There was plenty of local sake, and we ended up drinking too much. It was a truly wonderful time. Breakfast was the quintessential Japanese breakfast. It was absolutely delicious! Instead of the usual dishes like raw eggs and natto, the menu included grilled fish, as well as elaborate dishes such as tamagoyaki (rolled eggs) and simmered dishes. It was a very satisfying and relaxing stay.

This is a wonderful, clean inn where you can relax and unwind. It seems they only allow two groups to stay per day, but the other day, my husband and I happened to be the only ones staying. This meant we were able to bathe as many times as we liked. The spring water quality was excellent, and the cave bath's mist effect made it extremely warming. The dome-shaped ceiling meant that no water droplets fell on your head, a very well-thought-out feature despite the inn's historic design. The spring water is like lotion. The food was also absolutely fantastic! It was so delicious that I couldn't believe my stomach, and I ate so much. The doburoku was also delicious and easy to drink, the best doburoku I've ever had. We had a truly blissful time. The hospitality at Onjuku was also fantastic. I really want to return in a different season. Valuable materials such as rare photographs of Yoshikawa Eiji and handwritten haiku poems said to have been written on sliding doors are casually displayed. Our only concern was the road to the inn... As city dwellers and unaccustomed to driving on mountain roads, there were a few spots that made our hearts race... However, even if we were prepared for the excitement, it was well worth the visit. The inn's soap, made in hot spring water, was gentle on the skin, so we bought some as a souvenir. We highly recommend Kawazuya's soap as a souvenir.

A hot spring at a secluded inn. I had a rustic image in mind, so I made a reservation for a day trip, using the bath privately. On a Sunday morning, we finally arrived in our large camper van, driving down narrow roads. The exterior was just as I expected. The view outside was breathtaking, mountains upon mountains! When I went inside, I was a little surprised. It was bright and clean, and jazz music was playing. Looking closer, I realized it was records, not CDs! Alcohol, ornaments, and even a bear fur were beautifully displayed. The person who assisted us was a young, handsome man. It made me happy to think that young people are taking over and maintaining places like this. The hot spring I was looking forward to was the famous cave bath. It's apparently a bath carved out of rock. It was 800 yen for a one-hour private rental, but the windows couldn't be opened. This was because snakes, insects, and bears might get in. The water was lukewarm, but it felt like a steam bath. I lay face down on the edge of the bathtub and relaxed. This is apparently called the meditation bath. I thought, "That's exactly right!" An hour passed by in no time. Amenities included shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. There's a shower and hairdryer. It seems they only accept two groups of guests per day, so you can relax in peace and quiet. It's a place I'd definitely like to visit again.

We stayed here over the long weekend at the end of February. The location was incredible and the hospitality was outstanding. The food was carefully prepared down to the smallest detail, and the game dishes were also excellent. The famous cave bath was also impeccable, and we were very pleased with the quality and temperature of the hot springs. And the futon was fantastic! It was fluffy and warm, and although I've stayed at many different inns, it was the most comfortable I've ever slept on. There were quite a few stink bugs, and I released five or six in my room, but I guess that's to be expected in this environment. It's an inn I'd like to revisit someday. By the way, there are steep slopes in front of the inn and in front of the parking lot, and during heavy snowfall, it seems that you sometimes have to park on the national highway below and walk up the slope.

We visited on the first day of a three-day weekend. I was quite worried about whether we'd be able to climb the snowy slope to the inn, but I'm glad we went. We were accompanied by two warm couples and a chef, so we were able to enjoy the hot springs in the cave bath many times. The water is drinkable, and although it's heated, it's very pleasant. The room and the inn were clean, and the bedding in particular was excellent. 👍 And the food was also fantastic. 💕 We enjoyed the bounty of the mountains without hesitation. The food was incredibly high quality and flavorful, with a variety of creative ideas. There was a snowstorm the next morning, but the inn staff cleared the snow so we could return home in comfort. This is an inn I'd definitely like to return to. Thank you! ️