Autumn is the perfect season for hot springs, food, and sake.
This time is perfect to enjoy onsen (hot springs) and sake on my own. I prefer unique and less crowded onsens as I’ll be solo tripping this time around.
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 (around Tokyo).
This time I went to the open-air bath at theonsen ryokan Shinzansou.
When you think hot spring, you might think of drinking beer, but when I think of Okuhida, I think of sake. Most onsens have beer vending machines, but Okuhida is part the region of Hida, famous for producing nationally acclaimed sake.
This time, I decided to go to Okuhida Onsen by highway bus for a one day trip to enjoy the hot springs 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!
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6:50
Arrive at Shinjuku Bus Terminal
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
Next I leave for Okuhida Onsenkyo .
Early in the morning, I was a little sleep deprived so I knocked out in the bus. The expressway bus arrived at the Dangozaka service area on the Chuo Expressway for a break. We had a 10-minute break here. There were a lot of food places here and attractions, so 10 minutes almost didn’t feel like enough time!
The bus made its way back to the Chuo Expressway. From the bus you can see the Southern Alps on the left and Yatsugatake on the right, and its extremely gorgeous.
Next, I took a break at the Suwako service area. The view of the Lake Suwa, was gorgeous and inspired the famous anime movie “Your Name”. I bought a cup of coffee to wake myself 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.
I 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 and the air is so fresh.
I decided to have lunch here.
11:46
I 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.
It tasted more like fried dumplings than fried rice cakes?
But it was sweet and delicious!
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. 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, I left for the hot springs.
Is this a car? It looks like a go-cart at an amusement park.
I started driving at a leisurely pace at about 30 km.
The car behind me made space for me as if it were saying, “After you!”
It definitely attracted a lot of attention. I could feel others eyes on me ^^;;;.
13:06
Arriving at the North Alps Bridge
Since I came this far, I decided to stop that can only be reached by car.
13:18
After leaving the North Alps Bridge, I headed for 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
I arrived at the deep mountain lodge and parked my mini car.
The Fukasanso seems to be on the other side of the river across the suspension bridge.
To my shock…
I was looking at the river from the suspension bridge while going for the open-air bath, and I could see 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 started to panic! ？？？？？
This is the legendary open-air bath I came all the way for!
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.”
I thought, “It’s just a mailbox. Are you just going to put money in here?”
I went inside and asked the staff and they confirmed what the sign said.
I was surprised at the lack of human contact out here ^^;;
So, I deposited 500 yen and went to the hot spring!
The changing room was unexpectedly very well maintained (not to be rude!)
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. I felt relieved. ^^ ^^
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, I decided to enter the men-only area, which is closest to the changing rooms and furthest from the riverbank.
It was very comfortable ^^
The temperature is 41 degrees, the perfect 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 felt pleasant. Finally, at the mixed bath which is the closest to the riverbank, I could enjoy a superb view of the North Alps.
I felt so embarrassed, so I rewrapped the towel tightly and head for the onsen.
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
I 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.
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
Fully satisfied, I departed from Rokuji and walked 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 Shinjuku Bus Station!
==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!
