Shima Onsen Jongjukan, Gunma Prefecture - Part 20: The charms of "Chiiki/onsen" (hot springs), as told to a hot spring master.
- Gunma
- Stay
The charm of "THE ONSEN" is revealed!
What is a "Yumamori"?
Shima Onsen Shonjukan is a quiet inn where you can enjoy hot springs and nature to the fullest.
It has been called a famous hot spring for the stomach and intestines.
Tamura-san, Yumamori
The springs are sodium, calcium, chloride, and sulfate springs. In the old days, it was called a gypsum and salt spring. It is clear, colorless, and odorless. The source is naturally gushing within the grounds of the ryokan building, so it is located very close to the bath. This means that the hot spring water poured into the bath is fresh. Onsen water is like a raw product, and we believe that the proportions and properties of its components change over time after it has gushed out. Freshly bubbling hot spring water performs exactly as described in the component analysis report. This fresh, at face value, efficacy of the hot spring is what makes it unique. Physically, the hot spring is gentle to the touch. Although the analysis report shows a variety of benefits, it has long been referred to by guests as a "famous hot spring for the stomach and intestines.
How many baths, including indoor and outdoor baths, are there in the hotel?
We have the following 7 baths.
Hananoyu - Women's bath
・Onoyu - Men's bath
・Gennoyu - This is a large open-air style bath, but it has been available for private use since February 2023. Hot water is drawn directly from the source and naturally flows downstream.
It is located at the edge of a mountain in the back about 3 minutes on foot from the entrance, and the surroundings are the atmosphere of the fields and mountains of 40,000.
The private bath
- Ancient bath Ichinoyu (stone bathtub) Hot water is directly connected from a fountainhead and is drawn by natural flow
- Ancient bath Ninoyu (bathtub of a hinoki) Ninoyu is under repair and is closed.
Ancient bath: San-no-yu (bathtub of a hinoki cypress)
One of the jobs of a hot-spring guardian is to protect the temperature
Yumamori Tamura-san
It's about the "hot water temperature. We do not always think that 41°C is always good all year round. Even in the same bath, the temperature feels different in summer and winter. Also, when we think about getting out of the bath, we aim for a much more moderate temperature in summer. In winter, a slightly higher temperature would be more satisfying, but the upper limit is just enough to stay in the bath slowly. The temperature also differs between indoor and outdoor baths. The ideal temperature for outdoor baths in winter is one that is easy to enter and satisfying when you get out, but this is not easy to achieve. We want to adjust the temperature of the water without adding water as much as possible, so we make full use of "small tricks of our ancestors.
Spend a relaxing time in the hot spring
Tamura-san, Yumori
Spring, from late April to May, is a beautiful time for cherry blossoms and fresh greenery. Also, the climate is mild and suitable for taking an open-air bath and strolling around. In February, there used to be a term called "kantouji," which means to take a long, leisurely bath during the cold season. If you want to enjoy the hot springs themselves, winter or early spring is the best time.
Why is it that you do not accept groups and most of your guests are families? Also, do you welcome single guests?
Because the building is made of wood, if groups or groups of people spend time together in a lively atmosphere, it will affect the sound and vibration in the neighboring rooms. Our patrons are usually individual guests who want to spend a relaxing time in the hot spring. We do not accept groups so that they can spend their time leisurely. We also welcome single travelers, as many of those who travel to the hot springs on their own want to spend a relaxing and carefree time in the hot springs, and we believe that our hotel is a good match for solo travelers. Except for weekends during peak season, year-end and New Year's holidays, GW, and Bon vacation periods, we offer single-person accommodations. We also have days when we have a single person stay with no meal plan, so please feel free to make a trip for the purpose of "hot spring life.
Jongjukan's special "Hoba Miso" for breakfast
Tamura-san, Yumori
I consider them to be light dishes. There are more vegetable ingredients than lumpy meat. We are conscious of mountain ingredients. Most items are hand-crafted by the chef.
From late April to mid-May is the best time to see Shima Blue.
Tamura-san, Yumamori
I recommend "Oku-Shima Lake" at the back of Shima Onsen for its beautiful scenery at this time of the year. The surrounding fresh greenery and the beautiful blue color of the lake water have been featured on posters and TV commercials, and the lake looks especially nice from late April to mid-May when the water level is high. It takes about 60 minutes to walk to Okushiman Lake from the hotel, but you can rent a bicycle from the Shima Onsen Association, which is located 6-7 minutes from the hotel. We recommend that you rent a bicycle with an electric power assist. The water of the Shima River is crystal clear, and the word "clear stream" is a perfect description. Please take a moment to stop and look at it when you stroll around.
What is the commitment of the Yumamori?
Tamura-san, the bathhouse keeper
We do not use any mechanical devices to adjust the temperature of the water, so it is "hand-controlled". It is affected by temperature and humidity, and the amount of water gushing out can change suddenly due to earthquakes. Since there are several baths and one person is not enough to keep up with the baths, we have a group of bath keepers, headed by me, who take care of the baths. As an aside, when I was down with a "slipped back," it was easy for me to move my body while I was in the bath and for a few hours after I got out of the bath. When my body cools down and my back starts to squeak, I take another bath. In this way, I went to the bath about four times a day, and eventually was able to go through the day without pain. And so it went on for three or four days, and my back became easier. I realized at that moment, "So this is what a hot spring cure is!" I realized at that time. Although it is not limited to our hotel, "real hot springs" that are properly provided have "power. Each hot spring has its own "power," and we invite you to experience it for yourself. To experience the "real onsen" of each area, please visit "Ji-onsen".
Please visit Shima Onsen Jongjukan!
Why don't you visit "Shima Onsen Jongjukan" where you can enjoy hot springs and rich nature at a leisurely pace, not far from the Tokyo metropolitan area?
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Location
3895 Shima, Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma 377-0601
Access
Approx. 30 minutes by bus from Nakanojo Station, approx. 1 minute walk from Yamaguchi bus stop
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
Interviewed by: Jongjukan
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