Rest Inn Taga

There's a small hotel and a public onsen here, along with plenty of restaurants, shops, and vending machines. Really handy place, and it also has laundry and shower rooms.

I paid 15,800 JPY for what felt like a tiny motel at a truck stop. Way overpriced, and a real disappointment.

The large public bath was nice, and the staff were so kind. I was especially thrilled to finally try the ReFa hair dryer I'd been curious about for ages. The loungewear caught me off guard, though, it was as thin as summer clothes, so I was glad I'd packed my own pajamas. I set the room to 20 degrees because I didn't want to turn up the heat, but it felt really cold. I ended up sleeping with a scarf and jacket over the blanket, and between the chill and the hard pillow my sleep was pretty shallow. Next time I want to bring my own pillow. I think the cold bothered me because I don't live somewhere cold and I'm used to sleeping with the heating off. I'd like to stay here again.

My bath at home broke, so I looked for somewhere open at midnight and came across this place. It was clean and the water temperature was just right, and I came away feeling fully recharged after a pretty startling start to the night. The coin laundry was useful, and it looked like there was a place to nap too. Renting bath towels for 100 yen meant less to carry and less laundry afterward. There's a convenience store and souvenir shop in the next building, and the staff were kind and polite. It felt like a little trip.