しゃくなげの湯っこ五葉温泉

When I visited Goyo Onsen the year it opened, there was an open-air bath in what used to be a gravel garden. (That was years ago...) Adults pay ¥700. With the JAF discount, you get a ¥100 discount, bringing the total to ¥600. This also applies to anyone accompanying you. There's a farm-fresh produce area next to the reception, and a large resting and dining area on the approach to the bath. There were also people there to eat. Massages are available. There's a sauna and a cold bath. I read in a review that the shower was short. It really was. Apparently, the men's bath is also short. To understand how short it is, press the button and it stops before one hand can reach your head or body (lol). You have to hold down the button to fill the basin, or only the amount you press will come out. The water comes out in large quantities, so you need to be quick. Rinse-in shampoo and body soap are available. The water is thick and smooth. It's clear and has no scent, but the tiny crystals floating in the water are probably hot spring minerals. The open-air bath can fit four people, so the others can't stretch their legs. The water is just right for the autumn leaves and snow scenery. You can soak in it for a long time. It was around 1pm, but most of the customers were regulars with stamp cards. Judging from the occupancy rate of the baskets in the changing room, the number of people in the bath and the washing area didn't match... Is the rest the sauna? Maybe. It seems like a lot of people use the sauna. There are two hair dryers. I was able to use them without it being crowded. You're allowed to bring your own hair dryer, but there was a warning about it tripping the circuit breaker. They have basic skincare products, but it seems they aren't refilled frequently. There was also non-commercial shampoo and conditioner left by the sink for people to use freely. You don't get your 100 yen back for the lockers. They're just laundry baskets. I don't often leave valuables in the lockers, or I'll just leave them for the 100 yen. The water was nice.

I visited after the Tour de Rikuzentakata. It was a rainy night. It seemed to be bustling with locals. Given how crowded it was in such a depopulated area, it may be the most popular in the Rikuzen region. It's conveniently located for hiking Mt. Goyo. There's a restaurant on-site. I was planning to have wanko soba noodles afterward, so I only had soft serve ice cream here. Millet. Delicious. (Second visit in 2021) I visited after hiking Mt. Goyo. The water is colorless and odorless. It feels a little slimy and slightly alkaline. The wash area seats about 10 people, which is standard. The shower has an automatic shut-off function and is short, so the water shuts off multiple times during the shower. The outdoor bath is average-sized, about 5-6 people. The view is nice, with few man-made objects. The water was just the right temperature. Milk is available for after-bath use, and there are vending machines. Local vegetables are also sold. There's also a cafeteria, so the facilities are quite comprehensive.

I visited twice during Golden Week. The facilities were generally clean. The baths included an indoor bath that could fit 15-16 people, a cold bath and sauna, and an open-air bath that could fit about four people. There were nine showers for rinsing off. Both times I went, there were about 25 people in the bath area, making it completely full. It was even difficult to wash my hair. The changing room had space for 50-60 people, which was unbalanced. It was like a hot spring for monkeys. The water was slightly slippery and very nice, so it was a shame. But I guess it can't be helped since it's so popular. The rest area was a large room with tatami mats and about 30 tables that could probably accommodate about 100 people. I wanted to drink draft beer. I watched the others with envy. The special ramen, seafood ramen, and regular ramen were all more delicious than I expected. Just before leaving, I bought some locally produced burdock root wrapped in shiso leaves. It was delicious and went well with the sake.

Opposite the main entrance are souvenirs and vegetables for sale. The bathing fee is 1,000 yen for adults. It's a bit pricey. When you enter the changing room, there are coin lockers and a shelf with only baskets. Many people put their clothes in the baskets. They don't have locks, so it's very careless. The indoor bath is spacious, and there is also an open-air bath. The sauna has space for about 6 people. The shower is the type where you press the button to get the hot water, but the water stops after about 5 seconds. I understand that it's water-saving, but it's difficult to use. It's popular, so it was crowded, and because it was crowded, it felt a bit unclean.

As a facility, it's neither good nor bad... But as for the hot spring... It's so warm and clear that you almost wonder if it's really a hot spring. 💦 It might be good for sauna lovers... A local resident also warned me to be careful because I might catch a cold after taking a bath. 😱 The rest area and shop are larger than the bath building, so it might be uncomfortable if it's crowded. It's so clear that the grime is so visible, it's scary. lol It might be just the right temperature in the summer, though... I don't think it's a place worth traveling from afar. 🥺💦