Tokigawa Onsen

We visited during the lunch hour. [Good Points] - The owner greeted us as soon as we arrived in the parking lot. We received pleasant, courteous service and hospitality from start to finish. - The hot spring was private for four hours. It was okay to leave our clothes in the changing room. The changing room was spacious, had tatami mats, and was very comfortable. The amenities were also good (Panasonic Nanoe hair dryer, Botanist shampoo and body soap). - The meal took an hour, from appetizer to dessert. Every dish was delicious. While the portions might not be enough for men, we took our time and left feeling full. - There was no signal in the room (we had Docomo, but it was barely there), so we were able to relax and forget about work and life. - There was no futon, but blankets were provided. [Disappointments] - The email I received when I made my reservation said, "Please inform the room attendant after you leave if you would like your meal time to be prepared at that time." However, in reality, the earliest I could choose was 12:00. I was hungry and wanted to eat right after arriving at 11:00, so this was disappointing. (^^;) - The meal started early, at 12:00, and it took an hour from appetizer to dessert. After resting and taking a bath in the hot spring, four hours flew by. Despite the lovely room, I didn't get to enjoy it very much. - The hot spring water quality was impeccable, but the bathroom facilities were old and the shower pressure was weak. Since it wasn't an open-air bath, it was too hot in the summer and I felt like I couldn't stay in it for long. - Yukata were available for rent, and a book on how to put them on was provided in the room, but it was difficult to put on. - While the lack of signal was a positive, it would have been nice if there was free Wi-Fi available for those who needed it. - Payment is only accepted in cash on the day of your departure, so it would be even better if you could pay with your credit card before you go. My overall impression is that this place is sure to attract many repeat customers, as it is only about an hour and a half from the city center and you can enjoy high-quality hot springs and delicious kaiseki meals. I would like to visit again during the autumn foliage season.

About a 20-minute drive 🚗 from Myokaku Station on the JR Hachiko Line 🚉, you'll find a wonderful hot spring inn nestled quietly in the mountains ⛰️. This inn is Tokigawa Onsen ♨️ (^^) I found this inn by searching online for "Japan's most alkaline hot spring." Apparently, it was passed down from the previous owner to the current owner about 23 years ago. While overnight stays are not available, this wonderful inn offers a four-hour stay with a kaiseki meal and a private, free-flowing hot spring ♨️ to your heart's content. What's more, it boasts Japan's strongest alkaline hot spring, with a pH value of 11.3 ✨✨✨ Daytime (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM) and evening (4:00 PM - 8:00 PM) courses are available, and reservations can be made online. Reservations for the following month are accepted at the beginning of each month, with a maximum of two months' worth of reservations possible. However, reservations fill up quickly, so early reservations are recommended. The lunchtime session seems especially popular (^^) The food🍤 and baths♨️ are private, so you can relax and enjoy a truly blissful time. The waitresses were incredibly attentive and attentive.✨✨✨ Due to the mountain location, the signal📡 isn't the best, but the free Wi-Fi made it no problem at all. (^^) A taxi🚕 to the nearest JR Myokaku Station usually costs around 4,000-5,000 yen, but a shared taxi🚕 costs just 500 yen per person, so you can choose the option that best suits your budget.

The road leading there is a mountain path, so it gets narrow, and the road before entering the restaurant is a steep downhill! They only accept four groups a day (two during the day and two at night), so I made a reservation for a Sunday about a month before my birthday and visited for the first time. Because it's in the mountains, it's very quiet, and the room and the hot spring are separated by a corridor. The thoughtful hospitality and carefully prepared food allowed us to relax for four hours. Both men and women can choose their own yukata (traditional Japanese robe), and I thought this service was fun and wonderful! Also, I recommend it to those who like yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit). It was a memorable birthday. Thank you.

The kaiseki meal featuring yuzu was very elegant and delicious. I was a little puzzled by the narrow and steep slope leading from the entrance to the parking lot, and the fact that the changing room for the bath couldn't be locked from the inside. Also, the hot spring water is highly alkaline and free-flowing, which is great for making your skin smooth, but because it's a rock bath, it felt a little slimy and slippery. We used the morning session, and after checking into the inn at 11am, it seems you can choose the time for your meal: 12pm, 12:15pm, or 12:30pm. I also appreciated that there were many types of yukata to choose from to wear inside the inn.

Since it's a completely private experience, you can enjoy the hot springs without any worries. The water quality is excellent, and my skin remained smooth and silky until the next day. You can choose your favorite yukata, and the amenities are plentiful, so even women can come empty-handed! (It would be perfect if they also provided disposable body towels.) Also, since you can't take any position other than sitting in the room, I thought it would be nice to have a cushion like a Yogibo that you can lie down on. The yuzu-themed meal was also very delicious! This is a hot spring I want to soak in at least once a month.