Yuzankaku

For 700 yen, you can enjoy an onsen where hot water sprays from the mouths of the famous ogres of the Oga area. The outdoor bath is covered and has no view, but I preferred it to the extremely hot indoor bath. Be careful around the powerful spray. It's open to the public from 11 to 3, though it sometimes closes for cleaning, so call ahead to check. Soap and shampoo are provided, but bring a towel or buy a small one there. There’s no food or other amenities, just a small gift shop attached.

The food was good, and the facilities have been renovated and are clean. The bath has a very unusual look, with water splashing around and deposits on the floor, though the water itself seemed pretty ordinary.

A really powerful onsen!

I tried this hot spring on a day trip at the end of November for 800 yen, and I'm glad I didn't stay overnight. It felt deserted, with dim lighting, and was hard to think of as a local hot spring. The changing room and floor were cold, and a big ceiling vent kept letting in cold air, so I chilled quickly even though the bath measured 42.5°C on my handheld thermometer. There was also a sewer-like smell. It's a “society for preserving secret hot springs,” so in that sense it's good. But I often feel like good hot springs have poor hospitality. Do they suddenly turn into lordly businesses?