Sulfur Spring
Milky sulfur spring is king of Onsen !!
What is the typical onsen among many Japanese for images on Sulfur Spring? According to the onsen ranking of ancient Edo Age,Top 3 onsens are; Nasu, Kusatsu, Hakone (Ashino-yu) Onsen, those onsen are all Sulfur Spring. Sulfur Spring contains a lot of hydrogen –sulfide which make onsen water look white when it is mixed with air ,particles being sulfurated.
Yu-pon has a quiz here for you. Do you see anything common in Top 3 onsen resort in Edo Age?
They are located in high mountain .Yu-pon loves famous Sulfur Spring, Spring Fall (Kusatsu), Manza Onsen, Deer Spring (Nasu), Egg Spring (Taka-yu, Fukusima) and etc. This time Yu-pon would love to introduce 2 secluded Sulfur Spring onsen. First one is Matuzakaya (Ashino-yu Hakone).This ryokan was established 350years ago and was used to stay a villa residence for present Emperor Kinjo until little before. The speciality about this Matuzakaya is the onsen nature itself.
Usually Sulfur Spring acidity is acid , but Matuzakaya Onsen water shows anti-acid nature and is the only one alkaline spring in Japan. Yu-pon thinks this milk-green spring water is No1 Sulfur Spring in the world. That is why the emperor has been taken the bath secretly for his health for a long time. You can stay at the same room where the emperor stayed. Next one is Kani-yu Onsen.
Yu-pon realizes this Kani-yu Onsen is the most nearest secluded hot spring from Tokyo in 3.5h. This area is deep mountain side and the place is called Heike’s hidden village. Kani-yu Onsen is connected to Mebuchigafuchi Onsen by private road, and stand at the river side of deep mountain . In winter you can take a snow looking bathing under full stars abobe yourhead. Japanese antelope may come close to you if you are lucky. Hattyou-no-yu onsen is walking distance from Kani-yu Onsen in15min. Hattyou-no yu onsen is also fantastic onsen. That one has hot spring waterfall. And if you have strong legs and if you like hiking in the woodland path, Tesirosawa Onsen must be the choice for you.
There are 2 ways,either 3h walking or taking 15000yen taxi ride From Mebuchigafuchi Onsen to Tesirosawa Onsen. They provide excellent accommodation. (pretty expensive though)
Access
Mastuzakaya 芦之湯松坂屋
| Place; | 57Asino-yu, Hakone town, Asigarasimo County Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Access; | at Odawara JR station or Hakoneyumoto (Odakyu line), then take a bus bound for Hakonemachi, get off at Asi-no-yu and walk for 3min. |
Kani-yu Onsen 加仁湯
| Place; | 880-2 Kawamata, Nikko City Tochigi Prefecture |
| By car; | by car from Tokyo, take Tohoku Expressway change to Nikko-Utsunomiya Highway, get off at Imaichi I.C. take R121 and R152 To Kawamata direction 35km3.5h,from Mebuchigafuchi Parking,available Ryokan pick up service to Kani-yu Onsen |
| Access; | To Kani-yu Onsen from Mebuchigafuchi Ryokan, pick-up service or walking Also Hattyou-no-yu onsen also dispatch a pick-up car. To Tesirosawa Onsen 3.5h walking or 15000yen taxi fare |
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