Biwa no Yu (Matsumoto, Nagano) | bathhouse, hot spring, onsen

 bathhouse, hot spring, onsen

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浅間温泉 - 枇杷の湯

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biwanoyu.com/ (Japanese)

This onsen has a very peaceful outdoor pool. An excellent place to let the stresses & strains soak out, with overhanging branches & bamboo. Beautiful year round and top of the list for any visitor with limited time.

Water: Clear & slightly alkaline, not smelly. Good for your stomach & skin
Access: 5-10 mins walk from Asama bus station

Price: Y800 admittance to inside & outdoor pools. You can get small towels for Y200, and there’s free soap/shampoo inside (no soap at the rotemburo). (Regulars can get a “kaisuken” ticket for 11 visits = Y8,000 – no expiry date). Popular with locals but not overwhelmed.

Hours: 9am – 9pm (doors close 8pm)
Closed: Mondays (but open on National Holiday-Mondays, closed next day instead)
Baths: Inside 2, with a small outside one which can get quite cramped. Bit slippery so mind your step. The proper rotemburo you need to step back outside the main building and turn left, follow the little path under the tree up to the small building. Actually, best do this with clothes on (if you bathed indoors already, wander back to reception & then out & undress again once safe from shocked locals?!) You’ll need to check which door for men/women as they switch weekly.

History: The main man from Matsumoto castle allegedly came here for his private bath when it was built over 400 years ago, and the onsen has been in the same family for 16 generations. It is no longer a ryokan, as it was renovated in 1997 – and very nicely too.

Nice area to relax & contemplate the 400 year old pine tree in the grounds as well.