Back in 1987, June 26 was officially registered as “Outdoor Bathing Day” in Japan due to the combination of the syllables “ro” (pronounced “roku” or “six”), “ten” (indicating the decimal point between numbers), “bu” (pronounced “fu” or “two”), and “ro” (“six”).
To mark the special occasion, our reporter Seiji Nakazawa spent a long time searching for the best outdoor onsen to introduce to our readers. After hours of online research and extensive discussions with friends and colleagues, the most popular recommendations were onsen in Shizuoka Prefecture, which offers stunning views of Mount Fuji.
The onsen is easily accessible in a day from Tokyo: just take the train to Kanagawa Station, then transfer to the JR Gotemba Line to Ashigara Station in Shizuoka. The ride is incredibly relaxing, taking you from the urban jungle to rural fields and mountains, so by the time you step off the bus you’ll feel like time has slowed down.
Ashigara Station is unmanned and quiet, and it gets even quieter from there as you have to climb a mountain trail to get to the hot spring called “Machimin Rest House Ashigara Onsen”.
â–¼ Although the hot spring is commonly referred to as “Ashigara Onsen,” the official name tells people that it is a city hot spring.
Although the building is run by the city, this does not mean that it is cheap and in need of repair. In fact, quite the opposite: the building is clean, modern and sturdy, as it is made of reinforced concrete. This city clearly cares deeply about its residents, providing them with such great amenities, and the modern atmosphere and relaxed atmosphere is felt as soon as you step through the door.
There’s a very modern ticket machine where visitors can pay to enter the bathhouse (600 yen [US$3.76] for adults) and buy necessities like razors, towels, cleaning kits, and sauna caps. Cheaper bathing fees are available to residents of nearby neighborhoods, members of the Shizuoka Prefectural Municipal Mutual Aid Association, and students from Oyama High School, which is located directly across the street.
This value increased when Seiji actually entered the bathing area. The hotel has a large bathing pool and a sauna that can accommodate about 12 people. The entire wall of the onsen was glass, offering a stunning view of Mount Fuji, and when Seiji walked out to the outdoor bath, he was in seventh heaven because the view of the mountain was absolutely breathtaking.
â–¼ Seiji doesn’t allow photography in the outdoor bathhouse, but he says the view is the same as this photo he took from outside.
Public baths all over the country have a picture of Mount Fuji on one of the walls, so for Seiji, seeing the real Mount Fuji while relaxing in the hot tub was like a dream come true. Even more impressive is that you can see the entire width of the mountain, all the way to its base, which Seiji says is simply mesmerizing.
In fact, he said that it was probably the first time he had seen such a beautiful mountain from one end to the other, and it was a memory he would never forget in his life.
â–¼ Seiji records his admiration for the location of the onsen, which is forever imprinted in his memory.
Mount Fuji can be seen from many places, but it is from a distance with nothing obscuring the view that you can truly appreciate the mountain’s true beauty.
Seiji said that this is a rare experience that Japanese people and tourists should have at least once in their lifetime. So next time you want to enjoy the stunning view of Mount Fuji, skip the crowded Lawson and head here. Anyone can brag about taking a photo at the foot of Mount Fuji Lawson, but how many can brag about skinny-dipping in front of the mountain? This is a true Japanese experience that everyone should have!
Hot Spring Information Nagami Koi no Ya Ashigara Onsen / 町氒㠄㠓㠄㠮家 ‚ã —ã Œã‚ æ¸©æ³ Address: 456-1 Takeshita, Oyama-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture é ™å²¡ 県駿 æ ±é¡ ???????????????45​​6-1 Hours: 10:00 to 21:00 (last admission at 20:00) Closed on Tuesdays (Open if Tuesday is a holiday, closed the following day) Website
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