Snow & onsens

Today we are going higher in the Japanese Alps. My next destination is a nearby region called Okuhida. This area is famous for its hot springs and is apparently one of the best places in all of Japan to enjoy large, attractive outdoor baths in natural settings (also called “rotemburo”). This sounds very exciting isn’t it ? Rotemburo is one my favorite thing about Japan.

The bus from Takayama is only one hour. In the bus I have met an awesome Singaporian traveller that was also going to Okuhida. So we thought why not spending that day together. There is people where an instant chemistry happen at the second you met them. Travelling is just like painting on a blank page. You never know which colors will come up. Meeting a new friend already gave many colors to that new day. The great things about joining to other travellers is that you get to experience unique moments. Meeting others traveller may give you more inspiration and therefore push you to go in places you’ll have not went yourself.

Let’s go to the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway !

Climb 1000 meters using the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway.

Using the “double decker” ropeway.

At the top you’ll be reward by stunning views of the Northen Japanese Alps.

Upper station at an altitude of around 2150 meters.

There is snow too ! Say hello to “Nomi” 🙂
Such a beautiful moment to reconnect with snow again. It always remind me of these holidays in the French Alps. If you come late autumn like we did you’ll be able to see it.

Today was a good day to get there. The weather was perfect and it was week day. Apprarently week ends here tend to be very busy so make sure to plan accordingly. I’m glad I met Nomi otherwise I will have probably missed skipped this. It’s also more fun to share moments with cool peoples. Expect to pay 2900 yen for the round trip (22 euro).

Getting a good panorama of the mountains around. In front you can see Oku-Hotakadake . Japan’s third highest peak.

It was super nice to reach this altitude but I was scared the observation deck was the only attraction. It turned out that no , there were much more to experience here but we just did’nt knew it before hand. If you go down one level you’ll find a restaurant. Cross that restaurant to reach the entry of the outside area. This is where our adventure began.

Snowman man ! This was in the park next to the upper station.

How fun it is to be surrounded by all that snow. It’s definitely a good place to reconnect with your inner child. Snow seems to have a calming and relaxing affect on people. Most probably because we are not used to see it.

The park was pretty small but at the end we found a hiking trail. Let’s explore.

Hiking trail in Okuhida.

The views were getting nicer and nicer steps after steps. We didn’t had great hiking shoes but that didn’t stopped us. Apparently there is a lodge 1 hours hike from here. Let’s check it out.

Each hike deserves food times.

We had Onigiri rice balls in our bags which was conveniant. Theses Onigiris are the perfect snack when you hike. It’s gives you healthy energy , it’s cheap and easy to carry around.

After a slippery climb up in the snow we’ve made to the hut.

Nishiho mountain hut on top of the mountain ridge.

Some people pitched their tent right there ! I dont know how they planed to sleep with the cold night. But theses guys will have the best views… You sometimes have to forget about comfort if you want to experience nature at the fullest.

This little hut in the middle of nature felt like finding water in the desert. A place where you know you will relax and recharge.

Little oasis of warmth and cosiness. Here you can have drinks and even food.

Second food time. Nomi had a “sweet red bean soup” and I had a veggie ramen. The sweet red bean soup is actually very nice , the white balls are mochi or “rice balls”.

The hike up from the station should take you around 1h30 min. The way back down was of course faster nevertheless more slippery. We had to come back as the sun was setting down slowly.

Ropeway for the way down. Different time , different colors.

This was an unexpected amazing day in the Japanese Alps. The view from the upper station was stunning but the hike in the mountain was the highlight of that episode. It’s important to slow down the pace when you discover new areas. Hiking is the best way to connect with the nature around. Okuhida is well known for the Onsens and I heard one of them was very special.

After a 5 min bus ride from the ropeway station we reached THE “Suimeikan Karukaya” onsen. The ryokan seemed cloosed from the outside but the light in the onsen area were on. So we went there and discovered a massive outdoor onsen.

Suimeikan Karukaya onsen at night. This is just a fraction of the place. Nobody was there.

I have never seen a onsen like this one before. It was huge and gorgeous. I would live here. You had panoramic views of the mountains and many bath with different temperature. Hot water replenishes the bath via a waterfall. There are also private baths available.

I had to go to my ryokan for my night stay. The diner is often being served around 6h30 pm so I had to interrupt this pure moment of bliss. This onsen is the must go place in Okuhida (and in all Japan).

“Hakuunsou Ryokan”

Traditional Japanese room. It was the nicest Ryokan of my Japanese adventure.

Private outdoor onsen which was extremely hot.

Private indoor onsen.

The great thing about the hotels here is that you have access to the onsens all night long. You’ll leave Okuhida super relaxed.

Indulging Japan with the traditional Yukata.

This cloothing is useful as it allows you to jump from one onsen to another while staying naked 🙂 For my last onsen of the evening I went to a nearby one. It was part of another hotel but you could access it from the main road.

Big outdoor onsen under the stars. I got to meet two funny Japaneses here.

Onsens are such a great places to forget about “barriers”. If you put naked human beings in a natural hot spring water magic will automatically take place.

This day in Okuhida was simply perfect. From that mountain hike to this massive rotemburo. To then finish at the ryokan with more onsens. All with great people around. This Okuhida valley is a heaven of a place. You should definetly spend a night or two here. I felt so recharged afterward.

Tomorrow I’m leaving early the mountains to other mountains. My next stop is located north of Tokyo in a place called Nikko. A long journey is waiting me. Time to melt in the futon bed now.

White clouds , Hakuunsou