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At the entrance, with the manager Toru Takarai and the cat 'Shima' — At the entrance, with the manager *Toru Takarai* and the cat '*Shima*'

We visited Shirakigawachi Onsen "Asahiya Ryokan" in Izumi. The lodge was build about 40 years ago, by the current manager Toru's father.

This is a picture of Toru and Shima (cat). Toru keeps another cat called "Somari", however, unfortunately he didn't make his appearance during our visit.

This is the dressing room and the locker. As the door cannot be locked, we recommend you to keep your valuables in your car, or bring them with you while bathing.

* Note that the bath is shared with "Sanso." (See the next article)

This is the first bath, which is reputed as "Doctorless" water. It is said that the water is good for skin diseases. The slightly green-coloured water is little-bit thickened, and the quality is glorious. The manager said that the thickness changes by seasons.

The water comes from between the rocks on the wall, so it is really fresh. There are about ten faucets. The temperature is approx. 42 °C (108 °F) in summer. In winter, the temperature little bit decreases because the rocks are chilled.

* Note that the bath is shared with "Sanso." (See the next article)

We met Shigeru during our visit. He came this onsen for the first time in 70 years. We was a junior high school student when he came here last time. He enjoyed the bathing with the memory of his younger age.

This is the second bath. The water comes from between the rocks and is very fresh as the same as the first bath. The second bath is located close to the river, that makes the water tend to be cooler than the first bath.

* Note that the bath is shared with "Sanso." (See the next article)

According to the manager Toru, the recommended seasons are spring and autumn, and the specialty of the water is its thickness. When he was a child, he always wondered if the soap was washed off or not.