Kaikake Onsen Ryokan

I visited with my family of 4 during summer vacation. Although it was mid-August, there was no air conditioner in the room, only a fan, but it wasn't hot. The source temperature is 38.6℃ (it's like a medicinal hot spring that's good for your eyes), so you can enjoy a relaxing hot spring for a long time with the best lukewarm water in the summer! There are several wooden pillows in the bathtub, making it comfortable to take a long bath. From National Route 17, take the side road (there is a signboard) and cross the bridge.This is a lodging inn in the mountains. The building and rooms are clean and tidy. The food was country style and felt a little unsatisfying. It might be good for people who want to enjoy a long bath in lukewarm water surrounded by nature.

I bookmarked this hot spring a long time ago because my eyesight was getting bad, but I still remembered the name. It's still wonderful.

I participated in a snowshoeing tour for beginners sponsored by the inn. The tour consisted of snowshoeing around the inn, guided by an instructor. On the way, we dug a hole in the snow and made a table, had hot coffee and sweets, and had a wonderful experience. The food at the hostel was also delicious and very good. The inn is a detached house in the mountains, so it's quiet and relaxing. There was also self-service coffee after breakfast. The bath is a hot spring that is good for your eyes.

The hot springs are lukewarm and perfect for long summer baths, as the reputation suggests, but they lacked the feeling of a hot spring, with no particular skin texture. I stayed in a detached room, but when it rained, I had to use an umbrella to go to the bath in the main building. The front desk did not give receipts for online payments, and did not allow beverages purchased from vending machines to be brought into meals.

I used it on a day trip before and liked the hot springs, so I tried staying. The inn is located ahead of the side road (narrow) that entered from Route 17. There was only space for one car on the bridge on the way, so it was difficult when an oncoming car came. The inn is said to be good for the eyes, and many merchants traveling from Edo to Echigo used it since ancient times. As a result of my eyes, there were many figurines of the father of GeGeGe no Kitaro in the hall. We had our meals at the venue, but we took measures against infectious diseases, such as separating each group. Koshihikari from Uonuma is delicious. I was surprised because it was completely different from the Koshihikari that I usually eat at home. The bath can be used 24 hours a day, so I was able to monopolize it during times when there were few users. Since men and women are replaced, it is not possible to take a bath before or after this time. The hot water temperature is a little warm, but compared to Tochiomata Onsen in Niigata, the temperature felt a little higher. It can be said that it is just right for taking a long bath. Nishikigoi were swimming well in the pond on the premises. Speaking of which, Niigata was famous for Nishikigoi. I was very surprised to learn that it is open all year round even though it is a snowy area. It's a heavy snowfall area, so I can't imagine how much snow viewing baths are, but if I have the opportunity, I would like to visit in winter.

After staying for several nights, I was served motsunabe for dinner. Motsunabe itself is something that some people may like, and I won't deny it as a local specialty. But I don't think it's something that can be served as dinner at a ryokan without notice. At least it's not a hare dish. No sense of hospitality. By the way, the first night was "Chicken Sukiyaki".

スタッフの方々が皆さん若い男性で、活気があって笑顔絶えず、とても素晴らしかったです。古い建物のいいところを残して、使い勝手良くリフォームされていて、清潔感があり、お掃除も行き届いてます。窓ガラスから見える風景は、まるで額縁の絵のようでした。(窓ガラスのお掃除もしっかりしているからかと思います) 玄関棟の2F勝沢川という角部屋に泊まりました。眺めの良いお部屋で、暖房もちょうどよく、広縁まで畳なので、足の冷っと感もありません。 和風のベットでしたが、軽いので自分でも移動できて良かったです。 お部屋には、氷水ポット、お茶用ポット、お風呂に行くときに使える手提げ籠もあって、必要なものはちゃんとそろってます。 洗面には紙ペーパー、トイレには除菌スプレーもありました。 とても安心して宿泊できる居こごちのいいお部屋でした。 フリーWifiも問題なくつながります。 朝だけ玄関付近にコーヒーサービスがあります。 廊下やいろいろな場所に古い展示品　(謙信公のゆかりの品、米俵や稲、古い家具)などがあり、とても趣があります。 新聞を置いてないのが珍しいなあ・・と思いましたが。 浴室脱衣所は床が温かく、ぬる湯にはちょうどいいと思いました。 11月だとゆる湯はちよっと寒いかな・・・と思いましたが、ほとんどのお客さんは熱湯ではなく、ゆる湯に長く入ってました。 熱めがお好みの旦那さんには、ちょっと物足りないかもしれないと思いましたが、とても気に入ったようで１時間近く入ってました。 食事の量はちょうどよく、華美ではないですが、バランスよく健康的でした。 ちょうど魚沼産コシヒカリ新米開始時期だったので、ラッキーでした。 ２泊しましたが、昼食は朝夕食を食べた食堂で食べれます。 キノコの温かいおそばをいただきました。 バス停からはかなり急なカーブの坂道なので、スーツケースがある場合は徒歩は厳しいと思います。お迎えバスは予約制となります。 コロナ渦からずーっと行きたいと思っていた念願のお宿でしたが、とても寛げて良かったです。スタッフの皆様、どうもありがとうございました。

浮世離れした別世界に舞い込んだ感覚です。最初の来訪は３０年近く前、日帰りでした。今回は一泊のプラン。眼精疲労が深刻で目の保養目的で訪れましたが、私レベルになると一回では効果が実感できないのかも知れず、明らかな変化は感じられませんでした。もう数回続けたら違いがあるかも知れないので、あまり間隔を空けずに再度訪れたいと思います。ゆったりと時間を忘れて浸かっていられる湯は、時々出かける日帰り温泉施設などとは格が違い、高級感をたしなめます。食事もすばらしいですが、給仕さんたちがあまりに頻繁にかいがいしく寄ってこられるので、正直、楽ではない気がしました。常に監視されているような視線を感じ、落ち着いて食事ができないので、気遣いをほどほどにしていただけたら。あくまで私の主観で、感じ方は人それぞれと思います。