澤の宿錦泉閣 — Hotel in Date

Kawasemi was an interesting and enjoyable experience, and should appeal to bathers who want an onsen adventure that's well outside the bounds of what constitutes "the usual."

First, the dining is great, but the onsen itself no longer serves food except perhaps on special occasions. Instead, a small restaurant just across the street handles breakfast and dinner.

Next, the place is quite old, even borderline rickety. It's clearly nearing the end of its useful life and it's doubtful that the ryokan will be standing in ten years' time. This doesn't make the experience unpleasant, just...shall we say, "interesting."

Lastly, of course, is the bath...the real highlight of Kawasemi. Sitting in the water, an open-air, mixed-bathing pool only a meter or so from the rushing of the river below, is a grand experience, especially at night. Unfortunately, getting to the bath is a bit of an adventure. Between the changing room and the bath is an obstacle course consisting of multiple flights of DIY stairs and a comically tight "tunnel" seemingly plucked directly from the "The Great Escape" film.

Rate was ~8800 yen with two meals, which all things considered wasn't too far from where it...

My wife and I made a day trip to Onyado Kawasemi from Sapporo today. Along the way we enjoyed the fall colors. We sat in hot water for two hours and had nice conversations with several other day visitors. The location is great. There are two rotenburos. One is at the same level as the indoor baths. It is shaded and protected from the rain and snowfall. The second is down a steep set of stairs and is built riverside. I expect it is overflowed if there are heavy rainfalls, but it is clean, warm, and has an excellent view of the river and the surrounding vegatation. Perfect when the leaves are changing colors. The two outdoor baths are mixed bathing. Some women wore bathtowels. Others just brought their tenugui. We were in the bath from noon to two pm. I cannot speak of the amenities as I didn't stay there overnight. We would like to do so at a later date.. The hotel is old. The indoor baths are small. The pathway from the inner baths to the rotenburo is narrow and not built for a talll person. All in all, the bath is worth 4 stars out of five. Cost is 500 yen a person for adullts. We didn't see...

The place lies beautifully in a green valley and during the night you can hear the stream close by. The room was very nice and clean. The hosts are very very kind and friendly. Explained to us onsen etiquette and took as in even though we arrived late without reservation. All bathing was included in the price. There is an outdoor bath that is very...