Pyramid Genki Onsen

Great place, and there’s an onsen here!

It’s very peaceful in a quiet forest setting, and the rooms have a retro look. The fridge, which has a slightly larger freezer, and the toilet are shared, but each guest keeps their own utensils, which makes them easy to use. The room lock is an old style where you push a button on the doorknob, so I’d take valuables with me. Sheets, pillowcases, and the rest of the bedding are changed daily, and everything feels clean and pleasant. The lighting is a bit dim; brighter lights would help. The bathwater is clear and brownish with a high pH. You can lean against the building’s pyramid-shaped pillars inside the bath, and it feels like you can sense their energy. It’s refreshing. The bath wasn’t crowded in the morning or evening. I’d like to come back next year if the timing works out. I wonder how the 95-year-old owner is doing.

The hot spring water felt smooth on my skin, and the bath itself was wonderful. The forest setting has a retro, mystical feel, and the huge pyramids and sphinx that suddenly appear in the Nasu-Shiobara woods are quite a sight. There’s a well-stocked shop corner, including handmade “power cards” from the director. Each has its own design and message, and they’re unique keepsakes that can only be found here. They made a satisfying memory of the trip and gave me a lift. Between the spring, the unusual surroundings, and the director’s warm personality, it felt like a special place in the Nasu area to recharge and relax.

I was satisfied with my visit, though I’d call the place almost C-class. It’s inexpensive, with parking right next to this hot spring inn in Nasu Shiobara City, known as a B-class spot. The famous large bath is said to use free-flowing spring water and is open until 9 p.m., then again from 6:30 a.m. The same water is piped into the unit bath in the rooms. It’s described as a weak alkaline simple spring, but looks dark and has a slight fishy smell. The large bath doesn’t smell like rags. The facilities are old and poorly maintained, though, so visitors who aren’t interested in it as a B-class spot may find them unpleasant. Many facilities are closed and there aren’t many guests, so if you’re curious, I’d go sooner.