Tengu Onsen Asama Sanso

The setting is beautiful, with lovely greenery, horses, a dog, and a pig with plenty of character. Most of the other workers were at least somewhat friendly, and the owner seemed like a nice guy with good intentions. But at around 30,000 yen for one night, the state of the room and the receptionist's unwelcoming manner made it hard to choose between one and two stars. I can't see myself returning while those things stay the same, and I hope the owner acts on this feedback and cleans up and renovates what could be a cozy hideaway in the middle of pristine nature. Getting there isn't easy with luggage. The “steps” into the house are more like boulders, and hopping between them with bags in the rain feels like a recipe for a slip. The shuttle to and from Komoro station costs extra. I encountered the foul-mouthed woman on the phone when arranging it, who I assume is the person other reviews have complained about. The hot spring was okay, though the overall dirtiness made me wonder whether the orange water was supposed to look that way or was covering up more grime. It didn't feel like a relaxing soak. There are holes in the window screens, so bugs get in. Despite the summer heat, there was no A/C or even a portable fan. The walls and curtains were stained with grime, oil, and mold. The bathrooms felt like a men's locker room shower and toilet. The advertised “kitchen” was a gas stove that burned anything cooked on it, and there were extra charges for using an overly used pan and “cutlery,” which was just wooden chopsticks. The tatami floor was rock hard, and the thin walls let us hear neighbors talking or partying outside. These problems have come up in other reviews, from recent ones to reviews years ago.

After hiking, we stopped in for the onsen rather than staying overnight. The water was iron-orange and soothed our sore muscles, and the staff were great even though our Japanese was minimal. Parking gets discounted from 500 yen when you use the onsen. An outdoor bath would have been the one thing missing.

A great spot for a day onsen, with parking available, and a starting point for Mount Asama. The road to the onsen is bumpy and uneven, so good tires are a good idea. Personally, I thought it was an awesome place.

I came down from climbing Mt. Asama late, a couple of minutes after closing, and they took pity on me and let me have a quick bath. What a lifesaver. It's a really nice, relaxed onsen at a reasonable price, with a discount if you park there.