Autumn is deepening and it’s a very nice season for hot springs, food, and sake.
It ‘s time to enjoy a real onsen and sake by myself! Preferably in an unusual and less crowded onsen!
Moreover, I want to have a trip where I won’t be lonely even if I am an uncle alone!
Okuhida Onsenkyo is the perfect place for such a luxurious trip. Okuhida Onsenkyo has the largest number of open-air baths in Japan.
Moreover, there are special open-air baths that cannot be found in the Kanto area.
It is the open-air bath at theonsen ryokan Shinzansou.
It is super impressive!
When you think hot spring, you think beer!
When I think of Okuhida, I think of sake!
So, this time, I am going to Okuhida Onsen-go by highway bus for a one-day trip to enjoy hot spring and drinks by myself.
==PR==
Further into Kamikochi! Did you know that it is easy to get to Okuhida Onsenkyo at the foot of the North Alps?
It takes 4 hours and 30 minutes from Basta Shinjuku to Hirayu Bus Terminal, the entrance to Okuhida Onsenkyo, by direct highway bus!
There are 5-6 round-trip direct buses running every day! For more information on highway buses, please visit highwaybus.com.
Furthermore, at 2,702 meters above sea level from the Hirayu Bus Terminal, it is “the highest bus stop in Japan! Super! Cool and super! Direct bus service to Norikura summit (Tatamidaira) bus terminal with its spectacular view takes only 60 minutes.
Keio Bus LINE official account opened!
==Text Continued==
6:50
Arrive at Basta Shinjuku, wake up a little early and go to Basta Shinjuku
Board the 7:05 express bus to Hida Takayama!
You can check seat availability and make reservations for highway buses at highway-bus.com.
7:05
We are leaving for Okuhida Onsenkyo ^^.
Early in the morning, I was a little sleep deprived so I was out of sleep in the bus. The expressway bus arrived at the Dangozaka service area on the Chuo Expressway for a break. We have a 10-minute break here. There are food stalls and it is very exciting.
The bus is again on the Chuo Expressway! The Southern Alps on the left! Yatsugatake on the right! The scenery on the Chuo Expressway is still wonderful.
Next, we will take a break at the Suwako service area. The view of the majestic Lake Suwa will make you feel like you are on a trip.
Buy a cup of coffee and wake up!
The bus exits the expressway at the Matsumoto IC and continues on the mountain road toward Kamikochi and Takayama for one hour. The entrance to Kamikochi, famous for its mountain resorts, and the Kama Tunnel come into view.
This time, after passing by this tunnel, it only takes about 10 minutes to reach…
11:43 a.m.
You have arrived at Hirayu Bus Terminal, the gateway to Okuhida Onsenkyo.
It is a refreshing highland about 1200m above sea level^
The wide sky and the steep mountains are wonderful!
The air is so delicious!
First, we will have lunch here.
11:46
We decided to have lunch at a soba noodle restaurant next to the bus terminal.
It is quite a nice place to eat!
I opened the menu and was lost in thought when I saw the words “Apo Soba”?
What’s Apo? I had never heard of it before.
The waitress told me that it is a Hida dialect word for fried rice cake.
Since I was in the mood, I decided to order this Apo soba.
More like fried dumplings than fried rice cakes?
Delicately sweet and delicious! It is habit-forming deliciousness.
12:26 p.m.
I went to Mobility Station Okuhida to pick up the small EV rental car I reserved
No one is there ^^;;; It appears to be an unmanned store.
I went through the procedures while looking at the usage instructions I received in my e-mail in advance.
Pounding heart! Surprisingly, the procedure was completed easily. I received the key from the key box and we are on our way.
Is this a rental car and bike rental vending machine?
This rental car had a discount for express bus users and was 1,000 yen/8 hours.
12:39
Finally, we are leaving for the hot springs.
Is this a car? It looks like a go-cart at an amusement park.
My first electric car. My first minicar.
Apparently, I’m not good at going uphill. Driving at a leisurely pace at about 30 km.
The car behind me, “After you!”
But it still attracts a lot of attention. I can feel their eyes on me ^^;;;.
13:06
Arriving at the North Alps Bridge
Since we have come this far, we will stop at a spot with a spectacular view that can only be reached by car.
13:18
Departing from the North Alps Bridge for today’s objective, the open-air baths at Fukayama-so!
At the entrance to the Fukayama Villa, turn left at the point where the guard against falling rocks and snow has been cut off, and follow the path toward the river.
13:29
We arrive at the deep mountain lodge, which is our main goal this time! We park the car in the parking lot.
The Fukasanso seems to be on the other side of the river across the suspension bridge.
Tasteful suspension bridge.
Then, to my shock…
I was looking at the river from the suspension bridge while going for the open-air bath, and there are many naked people in the distance!
Oh…oh…my hips…
I can’t see them clearly from far away, but I think there are men and women of all ages…
For a moment, my mind panics! ？？？？？
This is the legendary open-air bath! Plenty of open space! It feels so good! Tension is maxed out!
I immediately went to the front desk of the ryokan to pay the bathing fee, and found a sign at the entrance.
It read, “For one-day bathing, please put 500 yen in the mailbox on the left.”
Here it is again: ？？？？
There is just a mailbox. You’re going to put money in here?”
I went inside and asked the staff, “Please put 500 yen in the mailbox.” Please put 500 yen in the mailbox.
Again, it’s non-contact ^^;;
So, I deposited 500 yen and went to the hot spring!
It may be rude to call it unexpected, but the men’s changing room is still surprisingly magnificent.
Here you can take off your clothes, grab a towel, and head to the hot springs.
The main attraction here is the open-air mixed bathing open-air baths on the riverbank.
There are also men-only and women-only baths.
Women are supposed to wear bathing suits in the mixed bathing open-air baths and bathing suits that can be rented for a fee (500 yen) at the ryokan.
I understood why men and women of all ages bathed together.
The women were all wearing bathing suits or bathing gowns. It is a relief. ^^ ^^
In case you are wondering, the women-only open-air bath is surrounded by a wall, but the men-only bath is in full view from the suspension bridge, although it is a short distance away ^^;;;.
There appear to be four open-air baths: two for men, one for women, and one for mixed bathing.
First, we decided to enter the men-only area, which is closest to the changing rooms and furthest from the riverbank.
Oh, comfortable comfortable ^^
temperature is 41 degrees by sense value, the right temperature for me.
It is clear and colorless, and a flower of hot water floats. It is pleasant hot water with a little smell of sulfur.
The wind is pleasant. Finally, to the mixed bath which is the closest to the riverbank and can enjoy a superb view of the North Alps.
I am still embarrassed, so I rewrap the towel tightly and head for the bath.
The moment I entered, I forgot my sense of shame with the wonderful view, the great hot water, and the tremendous feeling of freedom. ^^;;;
It’s great. It feels good. It’s wonderful.
It is worth the 6 hour drive to come here. It is wonderful. I’m glad I came^^
On this day, I met a man who told me that he drove 8 hours by motorcycle from Osaka to go to this hot spring, and I agree.
This is awesome! It’s the best!
14:41
We departed from Fukasanso with great satisfaction.
15:12
Arrived at Mobility Station Okuhida.
I returned my car. Again, it was unattended. After parking the car, plug it in and start charging.
Put the key back in the key box again to complete the return.
Unlike gasoline-powered cars, you do not need to refuel before returning your car.
15:21
Walk to another open-air bath, Hirayu-no-yu at Hirayu Folk Museum.
You can enter this bath for a small fee (about 300 yen).
It is an iron-rich, brownish-brown hot spring. The temperature is a little high, about 44 ℃, according to the sensory value!
The tangy hot water and the cool breeze are pleasant.
15:54
Go to Izakaya “Rokuji” where you can enjoy local cuisine and drinks in the same Hirayu Folk Museum.
Beer is great after a hot spring bath.
It’s a pleasure only on a highway bus.
First of all, draft beer.
Chicken tataki sashimi, Hida beef skewers, and steak as a snack.
Local Sake Glass
For rice, Rokuji’s special rice topped with an egg.
I was so engrossed in the food and drinks that I forgot to take pictures ^^;;;
images on the WEB site… m(_ _)m
17:38
Satisfied stomach! Departure from Rokuji and walk to the bus terminal.
17:46
Arrival at Hirayu Bus Terminal
18:05
Boarding a bus bound for Shinjuku
After enjoying a hot spring bath, drinks and food…
All that’s left is to sleep! Very satisfied with the luxurious holiday
ZZZzzz…
22:32
Arrival at Basta Shinjuku!
==PR==
Further into Kamikochi! Did you know that it is easy to get to Okuhida Onsenkyo at the foot of the North Alps?
It takes 4 hours and 30 minutes from Basta Shinjuku to Hirayu Bus Terminal, the entrance to Okuhida Onsenkyo, by direct highway bus!
There are 5-6 round-trip direct buses running every day! For more information on highway buses, please visit highwaybus.com.
Furthermore, at 2,702 meters above sea level from the Hirayu Bus Terminal, it is “the highest bus stop in Japan! Super! Cool and super! Direct bus service to Norikura summit (Tatamidaira) bus terminal with its spectacular view takes only 60 minutes.
Click here for details of highway bus reservations ( highwaybus.com )
Keio Bus LINE official account opened!
