Hi! Hello! 👋
Early February this year, 
The place we stayed at is called Shibu hotel. By far, in all of the places I stayed within Japan, this hotel has the most hospitable and caring service that I received. We were picked up when we arrived and then also sent us to our next destination after checkout. Even when we went out to the nearby monkey park, they sent us to the entrance and came back again for pick up, all free of charge. The receptionists were very friendly and gave us deets on what to do around the area.
Unfortunately, lunch was not included in our stay, but dinner and breakfast were very satisfying. We had, I think, was a sukiyaki set for dinner and buffet for breakfast. I am pretty sure we were the loudest during dinner time talking and laughing while we enjoyed our food.
The hotel is located beside the Yokuyugawa River. The view we had in the morning at the lobby was quite serene. I thought ‘This is what vacation should feel like’ lol. Drinking coffee, enjoying the peace and quiet.
Shibu onsen is a small town which can be toured within a day. After dinner the main activity that we did within the hotel area was to go onsen (hot spring) hopping. There are about 9 hot spring a few minutes walk from each other. I forgot what most of it for but I do remember there is one for beauty and one for health. But of course, we went to everything. Near the first few onsen we went to was a hotel built like those in Ghibli movies. We also passed by some eggs boiled in I guess onsen water? 150yen for each or was it 50yen?
The onsens are not open to just anyone. The hotel gave us keys for us to be able to use. In most onsens, you are not allowed to wear anything when you go in, and such is the case in Shibu onsen as well. But worry not, in all 9 onsen there, male and female areas are separated. Although some are not very spacious you have to make sure you don’t accidentally move into the door area where people might see your butt 🤭.
Aside from just going in and out of all the 9 onsen within the area, for 400yen, we got a towel with the list of all the onsen and get it stamped. Im my head, it was like completing a mission that we had to finish before a time limit. Yes, we are supposed to get it all done but 10pm. I think it was because the hotel has a curfew? But yeah, mission accomplished.
Although it was winter, dipping into the hot waters provided warmth even when we were outside after. Even just a few minutes of dipping were enough. Some were too hot and some were moderately warm. The hotel itself has public onsen and we enjoyed it early in the morning after. There's also a private one but it costs 2000yen for an hour or 30mins?
I definitely want to go back if I had the chance.
All videos and photos are taken using Iphone 14 pro.
Video edited using capcut and inshot.
Music: Happy Rock - Bensound.com/royalty-free-music
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PS: All photos are mine unless stated otherwise.
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