Kaneki

The hot spring is an unusual free-flowing one, with mineral deposits in the water. The white, fibrous deposits are rare, feel slimy, and are hard to get off fabric or skin once they dry. It’s also a distinctive weak alkaline hydrogen sulfide spring. The water warms you up. Apparently it cools a little in the morning, though it’s still hot enough that you’ll want to massage yourself and pour the water over yourself. This is a proper old-fashioned hot spring resort, lol. The town was destroyed by a major fire, but the buildings and interiors were rebuilt in the Showa era and have stayed that way. Even the indoor lights have a twist switch at the base of the hanging lamp. The toilets and hair dryers are modern and easy to use, while the bathroom tiles and taps are still the same. The owner’s clever touches show up everywhere, like the hand pump for the veranda footbath. It’s a pretty cold area, but the fireplace warms the spacious room that’s been made into a living room. The kitchen equipment is still from the inn’s earlier days, though the grill is new and the water heater is easy to use. The stairs up to the second floor are steep, so it’s far from barrier-free. There are no modern features like showers, which is what you’d expect from a Showa-era hot spring resort, so be prepared. There’s Wi-Fi and the signal had no problems. It’d be fun to stay with a few friends, but it’s not somewhere I’d tell others about.

My friend’s old farmhouse in Niigata Prefecture, which he’d been using, closed down. When he looked for a replacement, he found Mr. Kaneki. There’s lots of room to park, and you can have a bonfire. Firewood is incredibly cheap, 500 yen for a basket overflowing with it. There’s a swing like something from Heidi, and a little farther up there’s a secluded building. It’s a fun spot to spend time with like-minded friends in nature, while still being in a hot spring town.

Good for a big group! It’s a five-minute walk to the river, you can have a BBQ at night, and there are two baths, so you can soak in the morning too.

It’s just one group per overnight stay, so you can have a good time with your friends. The swing is for the brave, make sure you give it a try!