Kashiwaya

The host’s service was spot on. The public baths, though, weren’t as impressive as I expected in an onsen town.

Not bad, though the rooftop onsen could’ve been warmer.

I visited as part of a tour of the hot springs at affiliated hotels, and this review is only about the baths. After 8 PM on a weekday, it was fairly quiet. There are two bathing areas, one upstairs with a view and another downstairs. The lower bath had a slightly larger tub, a more substantial bathroom, and a nice traditional atmosphere. The sulfur water was wonderfully clean and flowed constantly, with no unpleasant qualities. Upstairs felt a little sterile and the tub was small, but the open-air bath had a decent view. That bath was lukewarm, while the indoor water was around 41 degrees Celsius. The water quality itself was impeccable.

The bath helped me relax after a long day of travel, and I liked both the water and its scent. I was staying at Hotel Green Plaza and had to leave right after checking in, so I arrived early and only got to use the private bath. The spring analysis report calls it a “simple sulfur hot spring (hypotonic alkaline high temperature spring).” There was a faint hydrogen sulfide smell, and I really like this kind of water. It flows continuously from the source. I only tried the first-floor bath, so I can’t comment on the open-air bath. Other reviews say the water in the lower baths seems fresher. I’d like to stay here again.