Kogennosato Onsen Healthy Misato

There was a large bridge just a few minutes away by car, and it was definitely worth seeing. A sign said to call Healthy Misato for permission before crossing. I'd like to try staying in the main building next time, since our stay this time was in a bungalow. They had pots, a rice cooker and frying pans, but no seasonings, so bringing small amounts with you is a good idea. At check-in, staff ask whether you need plates, chopsticks, knives and similar items, and you can choose whether to rent them. Contact them beforehand if you're unsure how many things to ask for. There was no charge, though I don't know what the arrangement is for a large group. Little insects sometimes flew onto the table even in winter, so the main building may suit you better if bugs bother you. The smoking spot is by reception. That's handy from the main building, but a longer walk from the bungalows, which naturally meant smoking less.

For 10,000 yen, this is a quiet little find in the Kanto-Koshinetsu area. The cold mineral spring is around 20°C at the source, and it's comfortable once you're in. It smells strongly of sulfur, and switching between the heated bath and the one beside it is a pleasure. Meals are served in an adjacent building, with a simple but tasty menu. The homemade konjac is so soft it practically melts, and the chawanmushi is excellent too. There's a fun range of alcoholic drinks, and the dining room feels relaxed at breakfast as well. The building began as a school, with reception downstairs and guest rooms upstairs, and has the feel of a renovated public inn. The second-floor Western-style rooms have high ceilings and are comfortable. The hot spring was added when the inn was established, rather than being part of the school, and sits in a separate building up a slight rise along the corridor. Wide hallways and shared bathrooms make sense in a former school, and the place has a simple, appealing feel. There's a toilet with hot water on the first floor. The inn is deep in the mountains, with only a few houses nearby, and a fairly large wooden school building a few minutes' walk from the bus stop along the prefectural road. It has a spacious schoolyard too. Hayakawa Town buses run about three times a day and connect with the Minobu Line, so getting here isn't especially difficult. Tokyo is about three hours away. A cold mineral spring and hot bath you can linger in, with simple service, make it a relaxing spot.

The full moon made it hard to see the stars, but I still had a great time. My wife, daughter and I got completely into hagoita, that traditional New Year's paddle game. We stayed for the New Year's package, and it left us feeling refreshed. The place reminded me a lot of my hometown in Yamaguchi. Seeing the elementary school, which closed six years ago, brought back some good memories. I'd love to come back for summer camping.

The cold spring water flows straight from the source, while the hot spring water is circulated. The facility itself is a lovely hot spring setup in a former school. The water is one of Yamanashi's richer sulfur-containing sodium, calcium, chloride and sulfate cold mineral springs, classified as a hypotonic alkaline cold mineral spring. I'd like to stay here again someday.