Kadoya

The meals were tasty Japanese cooking, and the room was a typical Japanese-style one with beds. This is one of the onsen ryokans in the area, with no other homes around it. The building sits on a hillside, tucked between the slope and the road. Its onsen is naturally warm, alkaline water.

Dinner was a fairly standard Japanese kaiseki meal, including wild boar hot pot, which seemed likely to be a local specialty. They had local sake too, so it worked well for an evening drink. Breakfast was also a typical Japanese spread, and the hot tofu was delicious. The dining room had a kerosene fan heater, but cold air still sat around my feet, so keeping them warm may take some attention. I came at the end of the year while visiting Ehime's hot springs. When I booked, I said I'd arrive by local bus, and they offered a ride to and from the nearest stop, in front of Sanshukusho. At pickup they explained that the bus route passing near the hot spring had stopped running in September 2024, and they'd been providing rides since then. In the bitter cold, I really appreciated it. Nibukawa Onsen's water has that very alkaline, slippery feel. It's circulated and filtered, but the alkalinity remains, along with some of the slickness. I found it quite hot both morning and evening. I couldn't tell if the temperature control wasn't working well or if that's simply how it is. The men's bath is indoors only. Exposed rocks here and there give it a somewhat dramatic look, though parts also feel unfinished. With the hot water, it wasn't somewhere I wanted to soak for long. The nearby public bathhouse apparently has a "source hot spring bath." If you mainly want to enjoy the water, that may be worth considering. The ingredient list didn't seem to show anything especially notable besides the high alkalinity, so I doubt the source water would change the experience much. The room had the feel of an old-fashioned hot spring inn. I first booked a "Japanese-Western room," then changed to a "Japanese-style room" because of the inn's circumstances. That was fine, but the building was far from the elevator, making bathroom trips awkward. The route they first showed me went up to the fourth floor of the elevator building, apparently the roof, across an outdoor walkway, then back into the building to the room. I didn't want to cross that cold open space after a bath, so I used the elevator to the third floor, went to another building, and climbed one flight of stairs instead. The vending machine seemed to sell only alcohol. It accepted old 5,000 yen bills and 500 yen coins, but I couldn't figure out why it rejected some of my 100 yen coins, even though I'd exchanged them at the front desk. They apparently take cash only, and sometimes I didn't have enough 100 yen coins, which left me unsure what to do. This seems like a place local people return to regularly, so convenience and efficiency may not be the main focus.

I went twice last year, drawn by the manager's kind nature and the delicious food. The renovation is lovely, but touches of rustic, nostalgic Showa-era character remain throughout. The other guests were all considerate, and there seemed to be many repeat visitors. The hot spring left my skin feeling soft and smooth, and I found it very relaxing. Sadly, my partner had a serious injury this year, so we couldn't make the trip. I'd love to go again if I get the chance.

I stayed in a clean Japanese-style room with its own bath. The public bath also had handrails in the tub. The amenities in both baths were simple, and the shampoo provided was a rinse-in type. I had a nice chat with the innkeeper, and I'm grateful for the stay. I'd love to return. The place has been renovated, with the walls, floors, and ceilings brightened up and made lovely and clean, while keeping a nostalgic Showa-era hot spring inn feeling. Maybe it's because I'm in my 50s, but that old-fashioned atmosphere brought back memories. The food made me especially happy. I asked for a fish dish to enjoy autumn, and they served Horaku-yaki, a specialty of Imabari. The sea bream was flaky and sweet, and so comforting. Between the quality of Nukagawa Onsen's water and the meal, I was very satisfied with the price. Everyone's experience is different, but I was completely happy with mine. There were so many tasty dishes that my companion and I finished all the rice in the container, and I even had seconds at breakfast, which is unusual for me.