Oedo Onsen Monogatari Shiobara Onsen Kamoshika Sou. The onsen loved by great writers!

Relax at Kamoshika Sou's hot spring source water

Shiobara Onsen has been loved by many a great writer since the Meiji Era such as, Natsume Souseki, Tanizaki Jun'ichirou, Saitou Mokichi, and Ozaki Kouyou, who’s work Konjiki Yaksha was even penned here. Because of these writers Shiobara Onsen became famous around the nation.

Although you might imagine some old area because such great writers of the past love this area, Oedo Onsen Monogatari Shiobara Onsen Kamoshika Sou although is very new and even has a bit of pop culture taste to it, just look at the sign in the picture above. The big bath Keikoku no Yu on the second floor allows you to view the expansive mountain range while taking a bath in the hotsprings.

On the top floor is the Souten no Yu which is an outdoor bath made completely from Hinoki Cyprus. In the day time you can view the trees swaying, while at night you get to bath under a heavenly ceiling filled with stars. There is no roof so they provide sedge hats for those times when a little rain or snow starts to fall. You can have a blissful time while being surrounded by majestic scenery.

Be greeted by Antelope at the onsen Kamoshika Sou

Upon entering you the lobby you are greeted by a stuffed antelope, which is where the name Kamoshika Sou comes from (Kamoshika= antelope). Because of the abundantly dense forest around the grounds occasionally wild antelope find their way in. This area is just that deep in the wilderness. They are sometimes seen from the restaurant, and the first floor terrace! They are timid creatures so if you try to approach they will bolt, so it is best to watch them from a distance. Maybe the antelope are looking for that secret hot spring here at Shiobara just like the humans are.

The lobby is a spacious area encased in glass walls

The lobby walls are all glass allowing the sunlight to flood in, it is very bright and spacious. When the weather is nice it might be a good idea have tea time on the terrace. The lobby is very large, with free activities such as billiards, mini golf, and table tennis, while the paid activities are darts, karaoke, and the game corner. Between spring and autumn the area around the hotel is open for exploration, and the winter is snowed in mostly so exploration is tuff so these indoor activities are a godsend.

There are 3 types of rooms

Japanese, western, and mixed rooms are the 3 types of rooms here, the one pictured above is the compact Japanese room. When you check in the futons are laid out so you can lie down as soon as you get in! After being warmed to the core by the hot spring water straight from the source take a load off and rest.

A TV, phone, hot water pot, and tissue fit in snugly into a large shelf space, making the compact room feely cozy.

Creative buffet cuisine

Both dinner and breakfast are buffets. Each season they choose seasonal ingredients for some creative cuisine. The one dish we recommend is the juicy roast beef. There is also sashimi and sushi as well as stewed potatos so the menu is full of variety as you can see.

You can order some special menus 3 days prior to your visit. Feast on A rank Tochigi wagyu grilled on porcelain plates, the meat is so thick it is a steak! You have come all this way why not try the local brand beef?