Hanahasu Onsen Somayama

It's a good onsen, just take care outside because it gets really dark.

I only came for a day trip, not an overnight stay. The reception staff member was extremely kind and polite, which made the visit pleasant. The outdoor bath was a little lukewarm, but that made it easy to stay in for a long soak without overheating. With trees and moss all around, it had a lovely forest-bathing feel. A few leaves floating in an open-air bath seem part of the charm. I did notice quite a lot of other things floating too, though, and couldn't tell whether it was mineral deposits or grime. If it's minerals, a sign could prevent misunderstandings; if it's dirt, more frequent cleaning would help people enjoy the excellent natural water. The indoor water felt slightly hot, and the natural spring left my skin feeling smooth. There's a lotus park next door, and a lotus-extract bath that's said to smooth the skin, but I didn't notice any real effect from it.

The water quality was good, but the breakfast was really awful. That's a shame in Fukui Prefecture, a major Koshihikari rice producer, since food often shapes how you judge a stay. This place seems geared mostly toward day visitors to the hot springs. Locals can get in for 300 yen, and it's open from 8 am until 10 pm, leaving overnight guests only a short window to relax in the baths.

I went for a day visit, and the hot spring water felt rich and refreshing. The women's bath was well set up for little ones, with a baby bed, two diaper-changing tables, and a baby restroom. There were lots of bath chairs for kids too, plus a small play area, which was handy.