Magoroku Onsen — Hotel in Semboku

Magoroku Onsen was the 3rd stop of my onsen-hopping trip. I bought the Onsen Hopping Passport which gave me access to all 7 onsens in the Nyuto Onsen region for 1550 yen. Otherwise you had to pay 510 yen per entry. ||||It was a short walk down a steep dirt pathway from Kuroyu Onsen and I walked past this really nice stream. ||||The place was super quiet and I had some trouble finding the main reception building. After I got my Onsen Passport stamped I proceeded to the indoor onsen first. It was sparse and looked like a hole in the cement floor. I started imagining creatures emerging from it, but when I got in it felt quite comfy and the temperature was just right. However the floor of that hole-in-the-ground onsen was rough and I didn't stay in there for long.||||After that I went to the outdoor onsen. It overlooked the stream and felt really good too. I was happily standing up in the pool and looking out to the stream. It was only after I walked out of the onsen building and crossing the bridge that I looked back at where the outdoor onsen was and realised that I could probably see where I was standing looking at the stream just now. I'm not sure. Perhaps its better just to sit in the water instead of standing up. Luckily the place was secluded. ||||Thereafter I took the shuttle bus back to Ogama Onsen where I stayed for the night. Shuttle bus timings are here: http://www.nyuto-onsenkyo.com/yumeguri_new.pdf||You need to ask the onsen reception to help you make a reservation at least one hour before your bus timing.||||Tips for Onsen Hopping||1. Bring your own towel. ||2. You probably would want to try all the onsens in the establishment and will end up stripping, soaking for less than 10 minutes and then drying yourself, putting back all your clothes on and then moving on to the next onsen 10 steps away next door. It gets tiresome after a while so if the temperature permits, wear lesser articles of clothing (so it’s easier to strip and clothe yourself). Or if you came from your accommodation you can wear the yukata robe they provide.||3. If you have many articles of clothing (I had jeans, sweater, trenchcoat), they are sufficient to cover your handbag or valuables in the changing room basket so I saved on...

Magoroku Onsen was the 3rd stop of my onsen-hopping trip. I bought the Onsen Hopping Passport which gave me access to all 7 onsens in the Nyuto Onsen region for 1550 yen. Otherwise you had to pay 510 yen per entry. ||||It was a short walk down a steep dirt pathway from Kuroyu Onsen and I walked past this really nice stream. ||||The place was super quiet and I had some trouble finding the main reception building. After I got my Onsen Passport stamped I proceeded to the indoor onsen first. It was sparse and looked like a hole in the cement floor. I started imagining creatures emerging from it, but when I got in it felt quite comfy and the temperature was just right. However the floor of that hole-in-the-ground onsen was rough and I didn't stay in there for long.||||After that I went to the outdoor onsen. It overlooked the stream and felt really good too. I was happily standing up in the pool and looking out to the stream. It was only after I walked out of the onsen building and crossing the bridge that I looked back at where the outdoor onsen was and realised that I could probably see where I was standing looking at the stream just now. I'm not sure. Perhaps its better just to sit in the water instead of standing up. Luckily the place was secluded. ||||Thereafter I took the shuttle bus back to Ogama Onsen where I stayed for the night. Shuttle bus timings are here: http://www.nyuto-onsenkyo.com/yumeguri_new.pdf||You need to ask the onsen reception to help you make a reservation at least one hour before your bus timing.||||Tips for Onsen Hopping||1. Bring your own towel. ||2. You probably would want to try all the onsens in the establishment and will end up stripping, soaking for less than 10 minutes and then drying yourself, putting back all your clothes on and then moving on to the next onsen 10 steps away next door. It gets tiresome after a while so if the temperature permits, wear lesser articles of clothing (so it’s easier to strip and clothe yourself). Or if you came from your accommodation you can wear the yukata robe they provide.||3. If you have many articles of clothing (I had jeans, sweater, trenchcoat), they are sufficient to cover your handbag or valuables in the changing room basket so I saved on...

SECLUDED & WINDY! We decided to make a day trip to Magoroku Onsen, a traditional ryokan located off the main road between Ogama Onsen, on the right, and Ganiba Onsen on the left. Magoroku Onsen stands on the banks of Sentatsugawa River.

We drove there in the morning at about 10 am. The parking area can accommodate about four cars only. Alternatively, we could have taken the shuttle bus. :p

We parked our car and hiked for about 1 km to get to the Onsen.  The hike maybe short for some but we had to withstand the wind chill and icy roads in winter. We crossed a narrow bridge and made our way to the main building. We bought a day tripper ticket at ¥510 per adult to use the baths.

To enjoy the baths, you may either bring or buy a drink at the reception before seeking the baths. This will allow you to hydrate yourself and stay longer in the baths. To dry ourselves, we brought along our towels.

The baths are opposite the main building, and overlook the Sentatsugawa River. There are 3 rotenburo (2 Konyoku and 1 for females only). There are also 4 indoor baths, one Konyoku, one for males, and two for females. The hotspring water is locally referred to as "mountain medicine water" for its numerous health benefits :p

Enjoy a dip in the indoor Konyoku before you venture into the rotenburo. The rotenburo nearest to the indoor bath is larger and the waters are warmer and shaded from the sun. If you enjoy the sun and prefer waters that are less hot, go to the smaller Konyoku rotenburo about 5 metres from the larger bath.

Because of Magoruku Onsen's obscure location, you may enjoy your bath in quiet with only your partner and nature in...