Ryokan Tamagoyu

I was generally satisfied, but it was disappointing that the apple juice at breakfast time (from 8am) was out of stock.

I had heard good things about it, but this was my first time staying there. Of course, my main purpose was the open-air bath with natural hot spring water. I had imagined a rustic inn, but I was surprised to see a five-story reinforced concrete building. However, Tamagoyu, located along the river, is a thatched bathhouse with a history of over 150 years, and gives off the atmosphere of a former hot spring resort. Further down the river is the open-air bath for women only, Seoto (apparently it can also be used as a private bath), and at the very bottom is the open-air rock bath, Tenkei no Yu. The water is poured from between the rocks, and the bath is filled with a murky pale sulfur spring, but what was a bit disappointing was that it was covered with a carpet that looked like artificial turf. I think it was to prevent falls, but it ruined the atmosphere. Still, the bath was amazing! There was a large indoor bath, Taki no Yu, and a small indoor bath, Senki no Yu, and I enjoyed the natural hot spring water to the point that my skin was tingling and burning. The superior Japanese-style room I stayed in was relatively new and clean. The dinner was a bit ingenious, but it was nothing special. The free-flowing hot spring water and the luxurious hotel-style lobby were a mismatch, and the concept of a hot spring inn seemed half-baked.