I stayed at Kita Onsen Ryokan in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture.
Kita Onsen, one of the famous Seven Hot Springs of Nasu is a historic hot spring inn in Nasu. Buildings built during the Edo and Ansei eras which is almost 160 years ago, the Meiji and Showa eras remain, and it is still a popular spot visited by many people who love historical inns and secret hot springs. It was also used as the main filming location for the movie "Thermae Romae,"
I was looking forward to visiting for the first time, but when I entered the building, my excitement changed. The building, stained with antique colors, has only been minimally repaired, and it feels like an inn that has stopped time for 100 years. Antiques, documents from the Russo-Japanese War, photographs of the Emperor, and other items that are more than several decades old are lined up in a jumble, just like a history and folk museum. It is worth visiting just to walk around the building.
Many of the historical inns that once existed were lost due to fires and wars, and many of the remaining ones have been beautifully rennovated, making it an inn where old and new coexist. On the other hand, Kita Onsen Ryokan, which has only undergone minimal repairs, stands out as a unique and distinctive feature, and I think it is a kind of miracle that it has survived to the present day.
There is a charm here that you cannot recreate even if you spend money.
Tengu no Yu is said to have been discovered by a Tengu - legendary creature, and was also a training ground for mountain ascetics. The atmosphere of an old hot spring resort is preserved, and you can experience a hot spring treatment that takes you back to the Edo period. The other baths are also very tasteful, and if you try to conquer the hot spring pool, Manten no Yu, which I was unable to enter this time, you will definitely be immersed in hot springs during your stay.
The mysterious atmosphere of Tengu no Yu at night is wonderful, and the time spent gazing at the overflowing hot spring, the rising steam, and the Tengu was a valuable experience that cannot be replaced by anything else.
It is by no means an inn that appeals to everyone, and it can be said that it is an inn that is not for everyone, but for some people. However, if you are a hot spring lover, you should visit this one of the best hot spring heritage sites in Japan. If you think staying overnight is too much of a hurdle, I recommend that you first visit for a day trip to see the atmosphere.
This time I stayed in Matsu no Ma from the Edo period, but next time I would like to stay in the Take no Ma from the Meiji period. I am also looking forward to the day when dinner and breakfast are served at Kita Onsen Ryokan.
■ Kita Onsen Ryokan
https://www.kitaonsen.com/mokuj.htm
■Hot spring details
Simple hot spring / Hypotonic neutral hot spring
pH 6.2 / Source temperature 56 degrees
Directly flowing from the source
■ Accommodation fee (no meal)
Approx JPY8,000/person per night
* Some of the information in the video is based on information collected online.
* Permission has been granted to film the hot spring.
* Normally video/photo shooting inside bath is not allowed.
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