This was a wild trip! We got up early, took a train to Kamioka station, transferred to the Blueline subway and traveled to the Shinkansen train station in Shin-Yokohama. From Shin-Yokohama we road the bullet train to Shin-Osaka. While on the bullet train we joined up with our tour guide (yes, we are on a group tour) and the rest of the tour group. In shin-Osaka we followed the guide through the massive train station to the train platform where we would board an express train that would take us to Kii-Tanabe station deep in the heart of Wakayama prefecture.
Ok, take a breath... I learned one thing in Shin-Osaka station, the other members of our group were older than we are (I'm 67 years old) some of them were much older than me (frail with walking sticks type older than we are). When we moved through the crowded Shin-Osaka station it was an event. Then we found that our train to Kii-Tanabe was delayed by over a half hour; very unusual for the trains in Japan to be delayed but it happens. Eventually we boarded our train and under the cover of darkness we finally arrived in Kii-Tanabe; btw it started raining too! A shuttle bus from our hotel for the night was waiting for us at the station and we drove deep into the countryside in the darkness and rain. At last! At last we arrived at our hotel and it was a really nice hotel too! We checked into our room and then quickly went to the dining room where diner was already being served. The buffet was fantastic, the cold beer was welcome and delicious; after a few more drinks it was time to check out the hotel's Onsen (hot spring bath) and then it was time for bed. It was a long day!
The next morning: Time to take some pictures.
The hotel lobby - very cozy.
This is the front of the hotel.
Front entrance.
The hotel is situated next to a river.
Hotel is on the left.
The bridge that crosses the river has a dragon head at the beginning...
And, a dragon tail at the other end. Before moving on I have to say that the Kirari Ryujin Hotel was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed at. I'd love to visit again.
After checking out of the hotel we boarded our tour bus and headed south to Shirahama Onsen. We visited the Sakinoyu open-air bath. Photography in the bathing area is strictly prohibited. Here is a website for the bath:
The bath was amazing!
The ocean water here is crystal clear.
Time to get back on the bus.
Next stop was this place: Yunomine Onsen.
Not my entrance.
This is better.
The changing room.
Get undressed and put your cloths in the basket. Entrance to the bath is on the left.
Because all the other guys had already finished bathing I was able to sneak a picture of the bath. There's another outdoor bath on the otherside of the glass window. Time to move on to the next Onsen!
Next we visited Kawayou Onsen. The main feature of this place is an outdoor bath on the bank of a river (no photography allowed). This is their indoor bath shot through a window.
Can you believe that we're going to visit another Onsen today? Oh yeah!
To get to the next Onsen we have to take an old mining train through a tunnel in a mountain. The train cars are small.
I felt like I was in a dog house.
Help! Let me out!
The train ride was bumpy - more like bone jarring! But we made it through the tunnel and enjoyed a nice soak in a fantastic Onsen center. No photography was allowed.
Back to the mining train; somehow they got it turned around and heading in the other direction.
Off we go! This train ride falls into the category of I'm glad I did it once, but I don't want to do it again.
It's late, I'm tired and it's time to check into our hotel for the night.
Iruka Onsen Hotel Seiryuusou
After checking in the first cold beer was fantastic!
Stay tuned for part 2
All the best,
Mike
Bonus shots!
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