【秘湯】 岩手～秋田～山形 県境の秘湯郡を巡る旅 その１

【秘湯】 岩手～秋田～山形 県境の秘湯郡を巡る旅 その１

Tohhoku 3 prefectues At the prefectural border A secret hot spring Gushing out Searching for hidden hot springs from Hiraizumi, Iwate to Akita and Yamagata Hello, this is “Channel 8329” Sukawa Kogen Onsen is a hidden hot spring at the foot of Mount Kurikoma. It was previously closed and unavailable for bathing. This time we will travel from Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture to Sukawa Kogen Onsen, and continue on to the borders of Iwate, Akita, and Yamagata prefectures. Head west on National Route 342 from Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture This is near Hiraizumi, one of Iwate’s leading tourist destinations. A few kilometers north is the World Heritage Site “Chusonji Temple” My family sometimes comes here for the first shrine visit of the year. On the east side across National Route 4 is Geibikei Gorge Boat rides are popular throughout the year The boatman’s song (Geibi Oiwake) created a great atmosphere. To the east, where I am heading, there is the famous “Genbikei Gorge.” I will go to the hot springs nearby. Although it’s not my favorite rustic hot spring, this type of hotel is good for a family trip, isn’t it? The front desk staff were also polite and I had a good impression . In 2022, Kanpo no Yado was renovated and became Kamenoi Hotel, and it is now part of the Kamenoi Hotel Group, which originated in Beppu and has been in business since 1911. It is a wonderful place full of the spirit of hospitality by Aburaya Kumahachi, which has been passed down since the hotel’s founding . The water quality is a sodium chloride spring (hypotonic, weak alkaline, hyperthermic spring). Mount Kurikoma, which we are heading to, can be seen in the distance. About 1km from here is Genbikei, but I have been there many times, so I just passed it by this time. It is famous for its flying dumplings, and I don’t like the suspension bridge here. On the way west, I saw an unfamiliar “hot spring” sign… A local company took over the hot spring after it went bankrupt in 2008, and the inn started up again in 2024 with a major renovation . It has a stylish atmosphere that women would love. The front desk staff are very gentle and polite, and the meals are served in a Japanese-French style, where you can choose your own kimono to wear. It’s like French in a kimono . Oh, isn’t this a service that women can’t resist? The slightly out-of-place old man goes to the bath. The spring water is sodium-calcium sulfate spring. The bath was beautifully designed to blend in with the surrounding nature . I wonder what the open-air bath is like in the fall, especially during the changing leaves… After the bath, you can enjoy these drinks and snacks (included in the price) . I had an espresso. It’s a great place for a young couple on a date or to please their wife. About 1km west is “Mayu Onsen,” a designated national hot spring resort perfect for finishing off a therapeutic bath in the highly acidic Sugawara Kogen Onsen. It ‘s home to cottages, a campground, a splash pool for children, and a ski resort. However, since it’s not visible from the national highway, you might not notice it if you’re just passing by. The open-air bath is a sulfate hot spring containing calcium and sodium, and it seems to contain a little iron. The indoor bath is a hypotonic alkaline hot spring containing sodium and calcium. This family-friendly facility offers two types of hot springs. Now, we’re heading for Sugawara Kogen Onsen at the foot of Mount Kurikoma. Mount Kurikoma is famous for its autumn foliage, and its stunning scenery is known as the “Carpet of the Gods”! I’ve climbed it several times myself, and I can honestly say it lives up to its nickname. The views are incredible. There are several trailheads to Mt. Kurikoma, but this one is on the Sukawa Plateau side, rather on the north side. The trailhead to “Iwakagamidaira”, which is generally easier for beginners to climb, is on the opposite side, south. It’s still too early for the autumn leaves to change color, but there were many people there, including hikers. Tonight we will be staying at the free campsite here . You apply for the campsite at the Sukawa Plateau Visitor Center, and the friendly receptionist will tell you all about it…we will check out the wild animal specimens in the area… and go to see the flying squirrel campsite. I’m sure they will have their own lighting for the night. This place is strange…is that a kitchen? As you would expect , this is a campsite for mountain men! This wild tent site is full of rustic charm. It’s lonely at night, perfect for campers who love solitude. I don’t use the campground, but rather spend the night in the parking lot. It’s nice to have a place like this for free. Because of the high altitude, the temperature is quite low; it dropped to 7 degrees that night. I avoided the crowded daytime and slept in the parking lot until the evening. When everyone was gone , I figured the campground would be deserted too. I headed out for a bath after 6 p.m. The toilet was a bit worn, but it had a washlet. I thought I’d take a bath. Sugawara Kogen Onsen is a hidden hot spring in the Michinoku region with over 300 years of history, dating back to the Tokugawa period . Located at an altitude of 1,126 meters, it boasts a flow rate of 6,000 liters per minute. The spring water is a highly acidic alum-green spring, rare even in Japan. The unique emerald-green water is beautiful . Day-trip bathing is available until 9 p.m. There’s only one open-air bath, “Dainichiyu,” but it’s a welcome sight. Perhaps it’s only open at night for early climbers. The food seems lavish for a house at such a high altitude, and a restaurant and shop are open at lunchtime. About 100 meters from the accommodation is the “Oiran Bath,” a natural steam bath. If there’s no one at the counter, you can put your ticket in the box and enjoy a bath. I’d visited twice before but couldn’t get in, but this time was a charm… The milky, slightly cloudy emerald green water had a refreshing lemon-like acidity, proving its strong acidity. It was warm, so I could have stayed in it for hours. The water’s color changes with the seasons; it’s clear in the seasons when there’s a lot of meltwater, and a beautiful milky white in other seasons. I’d love to come back during the snowmelt season and see it for myself . This is the trailhead to Mount Kurikoma. At the start of the climb, you pass a magnificent spring gushing forth. You can’t see it at night, though… If you’re interested, check out the video about Lake Showa. After warming up, I bought a drink from the inn’s vending machine and headed to my car to rest. I asked the front desk and they kindly let me use the vending machine inside. Aside from a few people sleeping in their cars, the spacious parking lot was completely empty. The stars were shining brighter than I’d ever seen before. Oh no! It’s so cold I can’t sleep! The temperature inside the car was 7 degrees. I didn’t have the heater ready, so I headed down the mountain… A raccoon dog stood in my way! It was quite a brave creature! In the end, I made my way to Oyasu Gorge and went to sleep. I’d been to Oyasu Gorge before. The deep green valley, the mysterious emerald green river, and the area beyond, spewing hellish steam , are truly impressive and wonderful tourist spots. It’s surprising that it’s not more well-known. First, I was introduced to day-trip hot springs at the tourist information center . They had a neatly compiled pamphlet listing everything I could ask for. Unfortunately , it was too early in the morning and there were no spots available yet. For reference, I’d like to introduce a lodging that offers day trips. I’ve previously visited Abe Ryokan, a member of the Japan Society for the Preservation of Secret Hot Springs . The building had an outstanding atmosphere. The open-air bath along the river is open and refreshing. Day-trip bathing is available from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM, and there are four types of baths (men and women alternate). Reviews have garnered praise for the landlady’s cooking, and the overall satisfaction level seemed high. Just looking at this photo makes me want to go. This small, hidden gem a little ways from the center of the hot spring town is said to have delicious food. There are many more, but I can’t introduce them all, so I’ll visit them gradually. This place is also closed today… I was wondering what to do, but there was a bath! I could see the public bath across the street from the tourist information center. It said you could bathe for 500 yen. It’s a beautiful building for a public bath, and it’s unmanned; you put money into a box to bathe. The clear, colorless water is a simple hot spring called “Oyasukyo Onsen,” with a temperature of 61.2 degrees and a pH of 6.4. It’s quite hot and has a tingling sensation . Wow, I was so happy to find a bath. I wandered around the area looking for another public bath that I heard was there… The atmosphere here is somehow different from a typical residential area. Perhaps it was an inn before the great fire that occurred long ago? Further back, there’s an area that looks like a shrine… It’s an atmosphere where you wouldn’t be surprised to see a bear, so I’ll give up. I head out onto the main street, then immediately turn left and head deeper into the residential area. At the back, I see a building that makes me wonder, “Is that it?” There ‘s a sign asking for a 200 yen bathing fee. I called out to a house with a sign, but there was no response… I left my 200 yen and decided to bathe. There are separate changing rooms for men and women. The water is clear and colorless, almost tasteless, and has a faint, smoky sulfur smell at the spout. It feels a bit smooth. The water is very hot, but the bath is just the right temperature. The system of storing and draining the water seems to work. The exterior looks like a barn for storing farm equipment, but it’s actually a proper bath. lol I feel like I got a little something extra. Huh? There’s another bathing sign here… Should I have paid here? This hot spring is mainly used by local residents, so please be careful not to disturb them as much as possible. Our trip to Sakai Prefecture is still in the middle, and we will extend our trip from here to the Doroyu area. When we came here before, we went to the Kawarage Jigoku waterfall hot spring. As we walked through the pure white barren land… a huge waterfall appeared! This is a hot spring, it’s amazing! We won’t be going this time, so if you’re interested, please check out another video on the channel. 8329Channel How to Walk Japan to be continued

栗駒山が紅葉の最盛期まで、あと少し・・・。 県境には驚くほど多くの温泉が沸いている、今回は岩手一関、平泉から入り栗駒山周りをぐるっと一周してみる。 厳美渓近辺のファミリー向けホテルや、登山者用のハードな硫黄泉、私も知らなかった山形の一軒家度など盛沢山の内容になった。途中、温泉好きの方との出会いが有ったりと収穫の多い旅となった。　今回はその一回目・・・・。

#温泉
#混浴
#秘湯
#一人旅
#秋田観光
#岩手観光
#山形観光

00:00　スタート
00:48　平泉は観光地
01:23　亀の井ホテル 一関
02:24　「祭畤（まつるべ）温泉」
04:18　真湯温泉
05:40　須川ビジターセンター
06:30　一関市須川野営場
07:39　須川高原温泉
09:46　大日湯
12:18　小安峡
13:51　奥小安峡 大湯温泉 阿部旅館
14:11　旅館 多郎兵衛
14:36　秋　仙
15:24　小安温泉 共同浴場
16:37　元湯共同浴場
20:46　川原毛地獄