I Looked Into Oide-kan

Alongside campsites, I sometimes take a detour on Komorin's Imaginary Travels to check out inns that could work for a "today feels like a hocance day" kind of mood. Think of it as building up a list of options for the days when I'm not bringing a tent.

This time, the name that caught my attention was "Oide-kan." When I came across the fact that it's a member of the "Association to Protect Japan's Secluded Hot Springs" and that all 8 of its baths are filled with 100% natural hot spring water straight from the source, I thought even an indoor type like me might find this intriguing, so I decided to look into it.

What kind of inn is Oide-kan?

This is a ryokan located in the Shiobara hot spring area of Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture, and it's apparently one of the inns belonging to the "Association to Protect Japan's Secluded Hot Springs." The standard plan seems to be one night with two meals, with rates varying depending on room type and meal grade. According to the official website, payment is cash only, which struck me as something worth remembering ahead of time.

It also seems to accept day-trip bathing guests, with set reception hours and time windows for use. Since towels apparently need to be brought yourself, that's something to remember to prepare if you're stopping by just for a day-trip soak.

• Approximate overnight rate: apparently starting from around 16,000 yen and up per adult for one night with two meals on weekdays, with somewhat higher rates on nights before holidays or during busy periods
• Day-trip bathing fee: apparently 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children (tax included)
• Day-trip bathing hours: reception apparently runs from 10:00 to 14:00, with use allowed until 16:00 (it seems there may be days when bathing isn't available due to circumstances, so checking ahead of time might be a good idea)
• Booking method: reservations can apparently be made by phone, but it also seems possible to apply through the reservation form on the official website

The highlight seems to be hot spring hopping across all 8 baths, all filled with natural source water

The biggest feature of Oide-kan seems to be that all 8 of its baths are filled with 100% natural hot spring water straight from the source. It apparently draws from two different sources (both in the 50-degree-Celsius range), and what I found interesting is that the color, temperature, and effects vary from bath to bath.

Among them, the one called "Sumi-no-yu" is said to be the only black-colored hot spring bath in Japan. Because it's rich in iron, it can apparently also be drunk, and it's said to be good for people with mild anemia. There's apparently also a women-only time slot, so if mixed bathing is a concern, choosing that time might work well. On top of that, there's an open-air bath along a mountain stream called "Iwa-no-yu," women-only baths called "Kodakara-no-yu" and "Takao-no-yu," and even a free private bath called "Fuji-no-yu" that doesn't require a reservation. It left me with the impression that you could easily spend an entire day just soaking your way through all of them.

• Mixed-bathing-style baths: Sumi-no-yu (the black bath, with a women-only time slot), Shika-no-yu, the Iwa-no-yu open-air bath, Heike-kakure-no-yu, and Goshono-yu
• Women-only baths: Kodakara-no-yu and Takao-no-yu
• Private bath: Fuji-no-yu (apparently a free family bath that doesn't require reservations)
• Some of the effects: rheumatism, diabetes, joint pain, neuralgia, digestive issues, gynecological conditions, poor circulation, and more, apparently varying by bath

Komorin

With 8 baths, just figuring out what order to visit them in sounds like fun on its own. Since I'm the indoor type, I think I'm a sucker for this kind of "everything's satisfying right here on the premises" vibe.

About nearby sightseeing spots

The official website introduces nearby sightseeing spots such as the Momijidani Great Suspension Bridge, Ryuka Falls, the Kaiko Suspension Bridge, the historic Genzo Cave limestone cavern, and the Konoha Fossil Park. However, I couldn't find specific distances or travel times listed, so if you're planning to actually visit, it's probably worth looking up access from the nearest station or point separately. I also came across a mention of a free winter shuttle from the hot spring town area, but I wasn't able to confirm a detailed schedule on the official website.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

Just like in my usual posts, I checked the location of this facility using the official My Area Connectivity Simulation tool. The overall result came back as a "C" rating.

Given the "C" rating, combined with the fact that this is a hot spring area tucked away in the mountains, it seems like a good idea to check things over before visiting. I wasn't able to confirm whether there's in-house Wi-Fi from the official website, so if you're hoping to stay while working remotely, it might be reassuring to check with them directly when making your reservation.

Komorin

Honestly, a "C" rating is a little concerning, but I figure if it's a day off dedicated to going all-in on the hot spring hopping, that might just be something I can shrug off.

Wrapping Up

To sum it all up, Oide-kan left me with the impression of being a secluded hot spring inn where all 8 baths are filled with 100% natural hot spring water, including a rare black-colored bath said to be one of a kind in Japan, which seems like it could really appeal to anyone who loves hot spring hopping. It seems worth checking in advance on things like the overnight rates, the day-trip bathing hours, and the fact that payment is cash only, so everything goes smoothly.

Since the Rakuten Mobile signal came back as a "C" rating, anyone who wants to be prepared on the connectivity front might want to check the official tool before visiting.

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Related Links

• Official Site