Kinugawa Onsen Adventure

This time we're visiting Kinugawa Onsen in Tochigi Prefecture.

To get there the first thing we have to do is go to Asakusa in Tokyo. The long skinny building in the center of the picture is the Tobu line train station.

This is the front entrance. This building also has many shops and restaurants inside. 

Inside the station heading for the train platforms.

This is the track where our train will be arriving.

Hear it comes! We're riding on a new limited express train called SPACIA X

Internet site for SPACIA X is "here"

After the arriving passengers leave the train and a clean-up crew goes through making things nice the platform attendant announces that we can board the train.

We have arrived at Kinugawa Onsen. The town is named after the Kinugawa river and all the hotels are built on both sides of the river. 

This is a huge pedestrian bridge that crosses the river giving people easy access to hotels on both sides.

We are here! We're staying at the Plaza Hotel on the left side of the river across from the number 15 on the map. Hotel website

Plaza hotel front desk.

Walking around the hotel lobby.

This hotel is really nice.

Yes, it's me wearing the Yukata that is provided by the hotel.

A yukata is a casual version of a kimono.

The main onsen hot spring baths in the hotel are separated by male and female. However there is a special bathing area where couples can bathe together. These baths must be reserved in advance and of course that's what we did. 

It's a short walk from the hotel to the reserved bathing facility. This is the entrance.

An attendant at the entrance gave us towels and a key to our assigned bath. This is the covered walkway to the bath.

It didn't take Emi long to get in! 

Next morning and we decided to eat our breakfast out here where we have a nice view of the river.

The view from where we ate breakfast.

Life is good!

After breakfast Emi went by train to visit "Tobu World Square"  and I went exploring along the Kinugawa river.

The first interesting thing I discovered along the Kinugawa river was this free hot spring foot bath.

By the entrance to the foot bath was this statue of a devil. These little devils are the town mascot and they're are everywhere (no two are alike).

Looking inside the foot bath, there was a young woman already there enjoying a nice hot spring water soak of her feet.

This is the view of the river from the foot bath.

Another devil! Like I said, they are everywhere.

Further down the river I discovered the Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge

Per the internet: 

    The Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge is a 140-meter-long suspension bridge located on the south side of Kinugawa Onsen town. From the top of the bridge, which is 40 meters high, you can see the fierce current of the Kinugawa River and the mountains full of greenery. Take a deep breath and bask in the natural fragrance of nature around.

    The bridge may sway a little, but it is rather thrilling and enjoyable. In autumn, the mountains turn red with the changing colors of the leaves, giving you a taste of Japan’s vibrant seasons. 

Yep, another devil.

Guess where I'm going next.

If you guessed that I was going to walk the Otaki Riverside Promenade you'd be correct. How could I resist when I saw such nice views like this. 

When I started the walk I saw two people. After passing them I didn't see anyone; I was all alone.

As I walked along the Otaki Riverside Promenade I started to think about what I would do if I encountered a bear. I didn't have a good plan. Actually I didn't have any plan. Fortunately I didn't encounter a bear.

What I did encounter was some nice scenery.

After my riverside nature walk I started heading back to town. I walked along a main road that ran parallel to the local train line.

 Passing by a small hotel that Emi and I stayed at over 20 years ago. I was surprised that they were still in business.

I didn't want to eat lunch in a restaurant so I was happy to find a convenience store. I bought some sandwiches and drinks and took them back to the hotel room... life is good!

The Kinugawa Onsen Adventure will continue - part 2 is coming soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike