Sunaharai Onsen

I stayed for two nights with breakfast included. My room was on the third floor, and while the staircase is a bit complicated to navigate, they guided me to my room initially, and there are signs. The lockers in the hot spring area require a 100 yen deposit (refundable). The facilities, including the jet bath and electric bath, gave it a public bathhouse feel. Breakfast was natural and featured traditional dishes that looked simple but were actually quite time-consuming to prepare. The room had good Wi-Fi and a small refrigerator. For consecutive stays, they cleaned and changed towels while I was out. I couldn't pay by card when booking online, but I was able to pay upon arrival. There's a Lawson convenience store nearby, and a coin laundry a few minutes' drive away. There's an unmanned vegetable stand in front of the Kazakoshiyama trailhead, and you can drive to Sarukura Spring to fill up your water bottles.

I like this hot spring, but there are a few downsides. It's old and not exactly the cleanest, but The jet bath is the strongest I've ever experienced, and it warms and relaxes the whole body. I'm grateful for the electric bath, one of the few available, and there's also an open-air bath and sauna, so I can enjoy it at my leisure. However, I was surprised at how much the older female staff member rushed me just before closing time. She turned off the lights. Even though the bath closes at 10 p.m., she rushed me 10 minutes before, and then locked the door and left at exactly 10 p.m. If she was so hurried, she shouldn't have said it closed at 10 p.m. It's so relaxing when the older woman is at the reception desk.

The strong smell of cigarettes in the guest rooms reminds me of Showa-era inns. My companion said that the smell was so strong that it even hurt his throat and he couldn't sleep. As many other reviews have mentioned, I think it's amazing that they were aware of the situation but didn't try to come up with any countermeasures. I thought they could at least make a few rooms non-smoking, but I don't think it's necessary since I think people who dislike it once won't go back.

This hot spring is used for a local area communal bathing spot and can stay by reasonable charge with 2 meals: evening and next morning. That spa is ready for many types like sauna, jacuzzi etc. and enjoyable. The accommodation and food is neat and enough. when I visited it, I saw young students and travelers who do not want to waste money were coming and took a short spare time with relaxed and quiet. That scene is my good memories in the travel.

The guest rooms are by no means luxurious, and the facilities feel quite old. However, the staff are polite and kind, and the elderly lady who serves meals in particular creates a nice atmosphere. The baths are open to non-guests until late at night, so they do get crowded. If you try hard, you can walk from Iida Station, so this is definitely a place to stay when you're visiting Iida.