Asahiso

The breakfast hit the spot, and the hot spring was quite hot. Dinner came with an explanation, and there were some local mountain specialties. I’d been hoping to find an inn near Ghibli Park, but my budget meant staying quite a ways away. It was still a great stay. The next day I stopped at Taisho Village in Akechi, then continued sightseeing at Meijoiwamura, a mountain castle.

After visiting Mikuniyama Observatory, I spent a little over an hour going back and forth between the baths: indoor, open air, health bath with jacuzzi, then cooling off outside before repeating the circuit. The water felt wonderfully smooth and slippery. It was a weekday afternoon day trip and cost 1,000 yen, with towels provided. The baths, changing rooms, and toilets were all new and clean, and the service was excellent.

There aren't any supermarkets nearby, so pick up what you need before heading to the inn. I stayed without meals, and the spacious bathing area had both indoor and outdoor baths. The indoor one stays open around the clock. The hot spring water felt lovely on my skin, and even the washing area seemed to use it. The room was clean, too, and I'd like to come back.