Bathe Amongst the Trees at Higashinaruko Onsen’s Ryokan Onuma

Mori no Yu

First take a look at this, what a relaxing outdoor bath!

The outdoor bath Mori no Yu is behind the inn inside a forest, and is reserved only for guests staying here. They inform you on what times the bath is available and you can reserve it during your check-in. Of course you can choose to bathe or not to but we highly recommend that you do! It is a bit of a distance from the inn so the owner of the inn drives you there by car.

The occasional frog croaking in the distance adds a unique atmosphere. Only 30 minutes per group is allowed and seems like a short time but fully enjoy this bath while listening to the wind songs.

Senninburo

At Ryokan Onuma there are 7 baths aside from the outdoor bath we showed you.

1 is the Senninburo the large bath here which has angles painted on the walls. Normally it is a mixed bath, but between 8pm and 9pm it is women only.

Another is the Tennyoburo next door to this which is women only.

The other 5 are private baths that you don’t have to reserve but can bathe in if open.

These are baths such as the small outdoor bath that overlooks the courtyard garden, Ishiwari no Yu and Kazokuburo, and the Hi no Yu and Kage no Yu which are on the fourth floor of the medicinal onsen building and have a view of the trains.

Try them all to find the one that you like best.

Fukashiyu

The other is a private bath that you can enjoy an aromatic bath in called Fukashiyu.

You can forget time passing with the sound of the hot spring water straight from the source flowing in and the warmth of the onsen heating the floors.

At Ryokan Onuma you can enjoy this many onsen baths inside the facility but they also have many services for the health spa side.

They provide tickets to do some onsen hopping in cooperation with other facilities close by, or you can try your hand at some farming in the fields. If you are interested take a look at the inn’s website for details.

The kitchen at the health spa building

Here they also have a long term stay facility called Yujikan, where you can reap the health benefits of the water here.

There is a kitchen for you to cook your own food, which was refurbished last year. The kitchen and dining space is almost like a chic guesthouse.

The rooms are a subdued traditional design and the gap between atmospheres is interesting as well.

It is almost as though you can feel the inns respect for tradition while challenging themselves to new endeavors.

Delicious cuisine

Though there is a well-designed kitchen we suggest you get the plan with meals included.

The volume of food is impressive but even more so is the menu which consists of vegetables mostly but although simple looking each dish is very thoughtfully made.

Because it is so easy to overeat for dinner they provide plans that have fewer dishes for multiple night stays, as well as a 1 soup 3 dish plan that is super healthy.

For the Yujikan guests you can even ask for a rice and miso soup plan.