Akita part 3 - Hot Springs and other Delights!

This is the last post from our trip to Akita. It's divided into two parts:
Part 1: A visit to Goshougake Onsen. Part 2: A visit to Fukenoyu Onsen on the following day.

Goshougake Onsen

The best way (meaning the cheapest way for us) to get to Goshougake Onsen is by local bus transportation. Other than one other passenger we had the bus to ourselves.

Even though it's the last week of April there is still a lot of snow on the ground.

In another month or so this will probably be a lush green wonderland.

But for now, it's a still a winter wonderland.

After about an hour bus ride we arrived at Goshougake Onsen.

The scenery is somewhat similar to that of Tamagawa Onsen.

Steaming sulfurous smelling gas, bubbling muddy water, and a peaceful feeling of serenity.

This is the entrance to the hot springs for bathing where we enjoyed an hour of delightful soaking in the boiling hot white water. Sorry, no pictures are allowed in the bathing areas.

After an hour of soaking and then a fantastic lunch in their restaurant we returned to the bus stop.

Emi is pointing out that there are only two buses a day. One does not want to miss the bus, getting a taxi would be crazily expensive.

Waiting for the bus; getting the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere. Actually, I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere before we even got on the bus to come here.

Here comes the bus!

The bus ride is very pleasant. The scenery is outstanding.

And, this time we are sharing the bus with a few more passengers. No problem, the more the merrier! It's a big bus.

Fukenoyu Onsen

This is our last full day before we have to return home. Yesterday I felt like we were beyond the middle of nowhere, I was wrong. Today we are truly out there! We left  Goshougake Onsen in the dust and pushed on to an area that only opened today because they finally cleared the snow off the roads..

Meet Fukenoyu Onsen!

After going inside we found out that the indoor hot springs were not open yet but we could use the outdoor baths. No complaints from us, we prefer to soak outside under the blue sky.

They have three outdoor baths. This one for women:
The entrance with a wall for privacy.

An inside look. Small but nice.

This one is for the men (the wood structure on the right side of the picture).

Again, small but nice.

I love the privacy one gets in the cloths changing area. The clear plastic siding is a nice touch.

And lastly, down in the valley there is the coed bath. That's right!  It's time to get naked in front of strangers of both sexes.

I'm not sure why they even bother with the privacy wall on the one side of the bathing area.

The clothes changing room is separated  for men and women and that's the only thing that is separate.  Back to nature!

We're not shy!

Emi was hopping from one bath to another. Each one had a different temperature. Hot, hotter, hottest and hotter than hell!

That's my girl! Enjoy the moment.
There was another couple using the baths but out of common courtesy I did not take their picture. Anyway, they probably would have busted my camera if I did try to take their picture.

Well, one can only soak in steaming hot water for so long and then it's time to get dressed and leave. Also, just like yesterday there were only two bus runs a day and we made sure we didn't miss our bus.

It was an awesome trip and we had terrific fun. The next day we caught the bullet train home and I'm already looking for to returning to Akita at some time in the future.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike