鹿教湯温泉

I went there on a January holiday to participate in the "Ice Lantern Dream Prayer" event. I wanted to experience the lighting of the lanterns starting at 4:30, so I arrived early, explored the surrounding area, and took an early bath. I asked someone at the tourist center about the lighting event, and they kindly told me it was free if I showed up at the right time and no reservations were necessary, so I arrived at exactly 4:30. The main area had already been lit, but the ones up the mountain were still being lit. At the foot of the bridge, you're given a stick to light the lanterns, so you take that stick and walk over to the unlit lanterns, then take the light from the lit ones and light them. If you're lucky, you can light three or four lanterns. The scenery was fantastic and it was a special experience! If you're driving, be sure to park in the tourist center's parking lot. Be careful, as following the directions on your navigation system will lead you down a narrow, dead-end road. I'm in awe of the locals who rotate the hundreds of ice lanterns every day. Monju no Yu is also a bargain at 300 yen (scheduled to increase to 350 yen), so why not try something else that will save you even more money?

A secluded hot spring town nestled in the mountains. It seems to have once thrived as a therapeutic hot spring resort, but now it is a quiet hot spring village.

It's a quiet hot spring town that retains the charm of the good old Showa era, and I was able to stroll around the town at a leisurely pace.

You can relax in this quiet hot spring resort. Sightseeing takes a little time, but there are also Matsumoto Castle and Ueda Castle.

It was a small, quiet hot spring town.