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With the owner Satoshi Nagamori, in front of rice field

We visited "Nagamori Onsen" in NishiSata-cho, Kagoshima city. It is located in very countryside and is surrounded by extensive rice field. The house in the centre of this picture is Nagamori Onsen.

Momotaro (the name of the dog) welcomed us at the entrance. At first he barked at us, but soon stopped. The owner says Momotaro is a friendly dog.

The owner Satoshi welcomed us with a smile at the reception.

Although the dressing room is aged, it fits the rustic atmosphere of Nagamori Onsen. As there are no lockers, you have to keep your valuables by yourself.

There is a big bath in the bathroom. You can enjoy utaseyu (waterfall-like faucet, you can sit under the waterfall to dump the water over your neck or shoulders) on the left side (in this picture) of the bath. The water is weak alkaline and categorized as simple thermal spring. As the water is not too hot, we thought bathing at Nagamori Onsen is good for summer.

A large amount of water always flows out of the faucet, and the water is not recycled.

He is a frequent bather Mr. Izumi who is a bus driver. His age is late 60s but he has a muscular body. He says he loves bodybuilding and does training frequently. It's a pity that we cannot show his body in this picture (it's hidden under the water), we are sure you will be surprised if you see it.

The owner Satoshi, who is 79 years old, opened Nagamori Onsen at February of 1982, and has been managing it since then. Some bathers say Nagamori Onsen has the best water in this area, and some come from Tokyo to enjoy bathing. He says the recommended season is winter. Although the number of customers is decreasing in recent years due to the impact of Japan's aging society, Satoshi says "It is inevitable. As long as I could make a living and buy a couple of beers after work, it is okay."

There is a small shrine near the hot spring source. We can see this kind of monument in many onsens, that is because people have been grateful to the gift from the nature from the ancient age.