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With a reception staff member Kazuko, at the entrance — With a reception staff member *Kazuko*, at the entrance

We visited Ichihino Onsen "Shimonoyu Koshu Yokujyo" which opened more than 50 years ago and is a public bath. There is also another public bath called "Kaminoyu" close to this onsen.

Kazuko welcomed us at the reception. We asked her "What bothers you most?" She answered "It's tattoo." In Japan, a man with a tattoo is regarded as a member of Yakuza (Gang), thus not a few onsens deny him/her entrance. If you have a tattoo, make sure to ask at the reception when you go to Japanese onsens.

The dressing room is clean and equipped with lockers. Also, you can see the lockers from the bathroom through glass doors. We thought there is no problem on the security.

The bathroom is covered with red tiles and maintained clean. The water is clear and hot. As the temperature is approx. 45°C (113°F), the recommended season is winter. Many bathers who like hot water come to this onsen.

A large amount of the water flows out from the faucet. The staff said, when Kaminoyu is closed, the temperature gets higher. We don't think we can soak in the bath at that day...

Hiroshi is 90 years old and comes to this onsen everyday. He used to work as an architecture designer and worked here and there in Japan.

This is the picture of Kaminoyu. The bathroom is bigger than Shimonoyu, and the water temperature is lower than Shimonoyu. If you do not like hot water, you'd better go to Kaminoyu.