Shiki No Mori

We only used the day-use bath. It seems popular with locals and can get crowded. With so many people using it, upkeep seemed a bit lacking, although everything worked fine. There are notices about thefts and valuables, so use the free coin lockers. The men’s bathing area was less tidy than other onsens I’ve been to. Maybe that’s just the local standard, so I went with the flow. It’s still a great place for a hot soak, especially in cooler weather.

There wasn’t much special about it. The baths are indoors, with a small cold bath outside the heated sauna. Through the indoor bath’s picture window, you can see Mount Aso in the mist, but the same view is available from the parking lot. Lockers cost ¥100, and hairdryers and shampoo are provided. The ¥300 adult fee is about what most onsens in Kyushu charge.

Two years ago, I stopped here for a bath break while hiking in the valley south of Mount Aso. The staff were very friendly, and the price was cheap for a relaxing moment. A huge window lets you look out over the valley from the bath.

A great local hotel with an onsen and a lovely view of Aso volcano. They treated us like native Japanese guests.