Manza Onsen - part 1

 We did a 3 day trip to Manza onsen in Gunma prefecture! As usual, we started out in the morning getting on a train at our local train station (Kenritsu-daikaku sta. on the Keikyu line).  After changing trains a few times we finally arrived at Ueno Station. This is where the adventure really started! There is a special train that runs from Ueno in Tokyo to Kusatsu in Gunma prefecture! The train is the "Kusatsu Special" or maybe the "Akagi  Service"... I get confused. The bottom line is that there is a great train that goes from Ueno to Kusatsu! And, we got on that train.

We have arrived at Naganoharakusatsuguchi train stations!

Here is the proof that we are at Naganoharakusatsuguchi: the sign says so! There are 22 letters in the name of this station (I counted); that must be a record.

And, per the sign next to the station sign, this is the "Station closest to Kusatsu Onsen" and that is very good for some people, but it's not good enough for us because we're going to Manza Onsen.

No problem, we're transferring to this local train (train on the left side of the picture) that is just on the other side of the platform from our previous train (still on the right side of the picture). Everything is so convenient!

Wow! this train is practically empty. Sit wherever you want! We rode this train for 16 minutes (all uphill) until we reached Manza-Kazawaguchi station where we were met by the Manza Onsen Hotel shuttle bus. The shuttle bus drove us through 40 minutes of snow covered woods (all uphill) and we finally arrived at our final destination...

The shuttle bus dropped us off right in front of the hotel entrance. Don't be fooled by the size of the entrance, the hotel is much, much bigger than it looks.

Manza Hotel website: https://www.manza.co.jp/ (you can select English language from a drop down menu).

While Emi was getting us checked in I took this picture from a nearby window. Yes, those are icicles hanging outside the window.  I had to look up how to spell "icicles" I can't remember the last time I used it in a sentence. 

After we checked into our room I took these pictures from our room's window.

I took this picture from the window just before we went to the dining room for diner.

On our way to the dining room we passed by a nook in the hallway filled with antique skis. 

Then we passed by a wall covered with children's art - the theme was good stuff to eat.

It's a long way to the dining room but we're almost there.

There's a hotel floor plan in the lobby to help keep you from getting lost.

We're really almost there: the front desk is on the left (hard to see). Gift/Drinks/Snacks shop in the background on the right. The lobby area in the foreground will be used for a concert later.

We have finally arrived at the all-you-can-eat buffet diner. 

There's more in that glass than ice cubes and water! It's shochu mizuwari!

I'll drink to that!

Day 2: The next morning. Start the day with an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast! 

This hotel has more than one hot bath, let's explore one of them.

Normally one would never take pictures inside the bathing room but lucky for me I'm alone. I'm going in!

The inside bathing room was to steamy, I couldn't take a picture of anything, so I'm going to the outside hot bath.

The bath is divided into two sides, hot and hotter. 

This natural spring water runs constantly. 

This is the view from the bath.

This is the view when one stands close to the railing. There's a ski slope on the hill.

Time for lunch. Most hot spring hotels don't offer a lunch service. Because this hotel is in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by snow they do have a small lunch buffet (it's an additional charge on your bill). 

Most customers have already left the hotel so there's not so many people in the dinning room.

And, the drink bar is closed.

Large easy to read drink menu.

I decided to have curry rice and a salad for lunch. 

The view from our table at lunch.

After lunch and it's time to go outside for a walk. I'm walking alone, Emi decided to stay in the room and read a book. She's smart!

This is the outside of the hot bath I was in before lunch.

Yes in deed, a walk will do me good. My feet are cold 😕

Okay, this is far enough, time to turn around and head back to the hotel and soak in a nice hot bath!

This is the end of part 1, part 2 coming next week.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Bonus Shots!