Monkeys love onsens too!

Yup, monkeys love onsens, too, like the Japanese. These are known as the snow monkeys, and are very popular among tourists.

They are so famous that they are on livecam!

I decided to pay them a visit before the winter ends. I'm very glad I went last week, the last weekend before the M9.0 earthquake struck on Friday. Nagano was hit by the earthquake as well. But looking at the livecam, the locals (snow monkeys) seem to be unaffected, the onsen is well intact as well. :)


Can you spot the live camera? This onsen is very popular with tourists, especially Caucasians. I almost forgot I was in Japan when I was there.

Where?

The snow monkeys live at 地獄谷野猿公苑. Entrance fee is 500yen. I paid only 420yen, due to a discount offered by my ryokan, 上林ホテル仙壽閣, which I will talk about, more in detail in the latter part of this post.



The nearest train station is Yudanaka 湯田中, from there, you have to trek to the park.


大きな地図で見る

From my ryokan, 上林ホテル仙壽閣, I took a slow stroll of about 30 minutes to the snow monkey onsen.

How's the trek like?

The road gets broader as we approach the park.


Tagging behind the local.

The trek is pretty gentle. I even met 3 families who carried babies with them?! Nearer to the park, I had to climb a flight of steps, that's probably the steepest part of the trek.

TIP
Wear proper footwear. Though the trek is gentle, the treks are covered with snow and ice, hence proper footwear is necessary. I was glad I bought rubber snow boots for the trek. Very safe.

On the way, here are some pictures of the nearest ryokan, 後楽館. I didn't stay in this one though.





The locals




Do not tag too closely to one, just like I did. This local snared at me after me and another tourist kept following him around.



Drinking from the onsen




I can do it! I can reach it!



Where to stay for the night? I would recommend 上林ホテル仙壽閣, where I stayed over for the night.



It also offers accommodation for single bookings. Though slightly more expensive for a room for 1. I was so pleasantly surprised to find that the room I am given is actually for 2!


View from my room
You can choose between Japanese futons or Western beds.

And my stay also included 3 meals, very sumptuous dinner and breakfast, and a simple lunch. It also included a discount voucher for entrance ticket to 地獄谷野猿公苑.



It's an onsen ryokan, so you can soak in the 2 baths for ladies (indoor and outdoor) 24/7. All bath lotions, towels, combs, etc are provided too. The lotions etc are products for us to try, and we can buy them at the store located within the ryokan if we like them. And I liked their foot massage machine. The best part I liked about my stay, is how relaxing it was. After soaking in the onsen, I would go to the room next door, make some hot tea, listen to soothing music, sink down in the armchair, reading a book or just watch the snowflakes flutter by. Very relaxing.

I missed my stay there...

八扇の湯 vs あらたまの湯

Today, I shall compare my experiences at 2 onsens in Hamamatsu, 浜松. They are pretty similar though,

• Both are at tips of 浜松. 八扇の湯 is at the southern tip and あらたまの湯 is at the northern tip.


• Both have access to public buses. They are the final stops for their respective public buses.
• Both have vending machines selling Meji milk. Yummy. Meji milk in glass bottles after onsen is always great.

Personally I prefer 八扇の湯 though, as the outdoor pool is bigger and prettier. :P

Basically, they have the same system:

First, you place your shoes in the locker. You will need a 100yen coin for this.

Second, pay for a ticket at the vending machine or at the counter. You may purchase a towel for an extra cost.

• 八扇の湯- it costs 900yen for an adult. 200yen extra for a towel.
• あらたまの湯- it costs 600yen for 1 entry. 1000yen for a day, which includes bath towel, face towel, etc.

Third, you place your belongings in a larger locker. You will need coins for this too.

Lastly, change, shower and onsen time!

They have the basic pools- indoor pool, jacuzzi pool and outdoor pool. あらたまの湯 has a small sauna room, though which 八扇の湯 doesn't. 八扇の湯 has a much bigger outdoor pool made of rocks. あらたまの湯 outdoor pool, really is an open-air, sheltered pool that faces the garden. On this point, I prefer 八扇の湯's outdoor pool.

Size wise, あらたまの湯 is a bigger onsen facility than 八扇の湯 though.

And here's what I like best- milk after onsen. Both onsens offer the vending machines for Meiji's milk.



After your onsen experience, you can choose to have your lunch, or massage at the onsen as well. These are additional charges though. I had my massage today via the 100-yen-for-10minute massage via the massage chair. It wasn't bad though. :P A much cheaper option compared to a 2000yen massage (not sure of the length of time) by a masseur.

To get there:
あらたまの湯- take the Hamamatsu bus. You can take it from Hamakita station 浜北駅.

八扇の湯- take the Entetsu bus number 1 (bus schedule from Hamamatsu Bus Terminal, only those that are circled). If you board from Hamamatsu Bus Terminal, it is at the number 7 berth.


Outside 八扇の湯.

First Onsen-n-Sauna Experience in Japan

Finally went to an onsen in the hot summer. That was one of the top things to do once I reach Japan. :P I was pleasantly surprised to find that the onsen was quite packed, despite the hot and humid weather.

I took the onsen set (coupled with sauna) at 風と月. That will be my first sauna experience in Japan.

At Counter
I collected my robes and bath towel at the counter. In exchange, the counter staff kept my shoe locker key, and gave me a key to my clothes locker.

Sauna
First of all, we should have our sauna (known as 薬石汗蒸房) before our onsen soak.

There are altogether 5 rooms, each with different functions. Temperatures range from 40 degree Celsius to 60 degree Celsius.

As the floor will be really hot, remember to lay your bath towel first, before lying on it.

I've asked the obaasan who worked at the onsen on how to use the sauna services, and here's a tip.

TIP
Before you change to the next sauna room, remember to take a rest at the cooling room. For every minute you spent at the sauna room, spend the same amount of time at the cooling room, too.

I love the medicated room best. It is filled with the fragrance of Chinese herbs, and it's 60 degree Celsius!

TIP
There are manga, books, magazines and newspapers which you can borrow and bring into the sauna room/ cooling room with you. I managed to finish a manga for my entire sauna session. Do remember to borrow one, it will help you pass time in the rooms (other than sleeping, if you can fall asleep that is. :P)

Common Area at the Sauna Section
Besides reading material which you can borrow and read, there's also a TV, vending machines and a face spa machine! Yup, I tried it. Relaxing! :D

For drinks that you can't finish at one go, you can write your name using the marker provided and place them in the transparent fridges, and continue drinking later.

Onsen
I heard from my predecessor that the shopping mall was actually built around this natural onsen! There are quite a number of pools you can choose from, both indoor and outdoor pools.

Indoor Onsen
There are 2 pools. One of them is of a special mix, the carbonic acidic pool, which helps in blood circulation and complexion. Bubbles start to form once I went in. It's kinda of an interesting experience.

Outdoor Onsen
There are about 6 pools outdoor, including a jacuzzi. There is also a steam sauna igloo. Once in the igloo, you can use the salt provided to apply on your body. Mmm.. not sure what it does, but I saw quite a few who did that, and I just followed suit. :P

Other Facilities
Once out of the onsen and sauna, still within the premises, you can also enjoy the following services, for an additional charge:

• Food and drinks at restaurant
• Vending machine
• Hairdresser
• Massage

How much does it cost?
For adults:

• Onsen only = 700yen
• Onsen set (with sauna) = 1200yen

For a detailed list, pls click here.

I'm definitely visiting it again! Missed the sauna... it's really very relaxing!