Takara

Rating 3 At the time, I was on a sauna trip to Wakayama Prefecture, visiting Fukuro no Yu, Kishu Kuroshio Onsen, and the open-air bath Takara no Yu. Parking time restrictions prevented me from relaxing at Fukuro no Yu and Kuroshio Onsen, but this time, the final stop on my hot spring hopping trip was Takara no Yu. I was happy to see that there was a parking lot. I hadn't planned on using the rock sauna, but I saw that it was listed as the cheapest in Japan for a shoebox locker, so I decided to take advantage. I wish there was a water cooler in the bath area. There's a drinking fountain, but it's warm. Hair soap and other items are available. Parking is free for facility users. As expected, I wasn't pressed for time, so it was relaxing and comfortable. There's also a rock sauna (Takarajudo) (280 yen, includes rock sauna wear, towel, and bath towel; apparently it's the cheapest rock sauna in Japan, so I paid extra. There's only one room, and it offers healing sounds). The key band doubles as a wallet, so be careful not to lose it. Indoor Bath: ① Vibrating Bath (only about 1 square meter of the center section vibrates) ② Stool Bath (you can also enjoy a foot bath) ③ Reclining Jet Bath (the iron pipes at the head area are cool and comfortable) ④ Electric Bath ⑤ Chair-type Jet Bath ⑥ Standing Super Jet Bath (two types available) ⑦ Cold Bath (the spout is slightly elevated, so you can pour water over your head) Vestibule ⑧ Sauna (with sauna stone heater, Aufguss bath, 3 levels, TV, 84°C) Outdoor Bath: ⑨ Open-Air Bath ⑩ Reclining Bath (what I call a reclining bath) ⑪ Pot Bath ⑫ Waterfall Bath The bath area has an open-air bath and an Aufguss bath in the sauna. There are Coleman Infinity Chairs and an open-air bath where you can lie on your back. Since I visited during the summer, I was soothed by the scent of mosquito coils and the sight of the brightest star in the night sky. Please note that the images are a combination of photos taken at the time of my visit and just before closing.

Opened in 2000, this facility retains the original form of the early super sento boom, and will bring back memories for those who were there back then, but compared to modern super sento, its facilities are inferior in many ways. The bedrock bath is said to be the cheapest in Japan, and for that price the facilities are quite good, and the staff come around to clean the bedrock bath every 30 minutes or so, so you can tell they're making an effort, but the bedrock bath is deserted and it's a bit lonely. The clientele is predominantly elderly. There are no public baths in Gobo City, so from an infrastructure perspective, and there are no super sento south of Gobo City until Shirahama Town, it seems like the facility is operating as the core of the super sento in the Kii-Chuo-Kinan region. However, because it dates back to the time of its opening, it's unfortunate that the blackening of the indoor bath walls, the fact that a broken thermometer has not been repaired, and the corrosion of the wood at the spout of the open-air tub bath are noticeable. From the beginning, they installed a salt sauna (now discontinued) and offered loyly service in the sauna room at a time when the term "loyly" was not widely known, so they were some pioneering figures. However, it's unfortunate that the lack of maintenance on the facilities is conspicuous. The water temperature was generally too warm, not at all warm. However, it is commendable that they continue to offer the loyly service. Compared to when they first opened, fuel costs and other factors have risen sharply, and many super sento that opened around the same time in Wakayama Prefecture have closed. The business environment may be tough, but we hope they will do their best as the core super sento in the Kinai-Kinan region.

Apparently this is the cheapest bedrock bath in Japan. The bedrock bath is very modest, fulfilling the bare minimum requirements of a bedrock bath: indoor wear and a hot rock room. There's no room for cooling off. The bath towel is just a regular one, so your feet won't stick out even if you pull it out. Well, it's only 280 yen. If you think of it as a sauna, it's pretty comprehensive. As for the outdoor bath, it seems to have everything you'd expect from a super sento, but in a compact tub. Wakayama Prefecture is known for its hot springs, but this place only uses lukewarm water. The sauna seems to be selling the loyly function, but it's very infrequent. About half of the shower in the washing area was broken, and wouldn't go down even when pressed down. Good thing I noticed before washing my hair! Well, if this were in a competitive area, it probably wouldn't survive, but as a rare super sento in an area outside the reach of Gokurakuyu and the like, I guess this is about what you'd expect. Note that the open-air bath is closed on weekdays!

The atmosphere surrounded by nature was wonderful, making it the perfect bath for when you want to refresh yourself. The open-air area in particular has a sense of openness, and the ability to soak in the bath while listening to the sound of the wind and the birds is a particularly appealing feature. The water temperature was neither too hot nor too lukewarm, just right for long soaks. The indoor bath was also clean, and the overall impression was that it was well-maintained. The facility had a calming atmosphere, and the staff were very attentive. I enjoyed my first time there. The rest area was spacious, which was a nice touch, allowing me to relax after my bath. I think the restaurant menu could have been more varied, but the food was good. Overall, I was very satisfied, and I would recommend this bath to anyone looking to relax and unwind. It's relatively easy to access, so I'd like to return to soothe my fatigue. I'll give it four stars.

It's been in business for 25 years, so aging is inevitable. Maintenance and upkeep are probably expensive, so it seems like they're making do as they can, but there aren't many super sento with saunas, so I hope they stay open. Every time I visit Gobo, I'm relieved to see that they're still open. I just hope they don't close down. The sauna and bath temperatures aren't very high, but I guess that can't be helped, since they're operating at such a low price despite rising fuel costs. I can sense that they'll struggle to stay in business unless they raise the admission fee.