Seto Ohashi Onsen Yamakou

We stayed overnight as a family. The kids' bath was great, the room was larger than expected, and we could relax there. The floor didn't feel slippery. A few things made the stay awkward. There was a smoking area by the entrance, and it smelled so bad we had to hold our breath walking past. Nobody at the front desk greeted us, so passing right in front of them felt uncomfortable, like we were being ignored. We also got no information at all about what the restaurant offered guests, and I couldn't understand why we had to ask about everything. The men's bath was generally lukewarm. I couldn't find facial cleanser or makeup remover, so I brought my own.

On my vacation in Okayama, I spent one night here and came away thinking the facilities are simply old. The carpet is faded, with duct tape repairs in spots, and the lockers in the large public bath are rusty. The food portions in the dining area are small, and the bath itself is a little difficult to use. I won't be back. There was no WiFi, washlet, or TV with subscription channels. It felt like one of those health spas that opened in the early Heisei era had just stayed as it was into the Reiwa era, 30 years later. Maybe they haven't invested in updating the place?

The second-floor restaurant has fewer menu choices than it used to, but I still find the food delicious. I've been using both the restaurant and the hot springs regularly. The prices went up a few years back, which I understand, though the interior still feels rather old-fashioned. The bathroom floor is slippery in general, and elderly people and children often slip there. They should put anti-slip mats down everywhere before someone gets hurt.

The indoor sauna was impressive, and I liked being able to cool off properly in the 20°C plunge pool. What made the visit feel especially relaxing, though, was the rock-built outdoor bath. As I soaked and looked up, the sun was starting to set. It was a really luxurious moment.