源泉ゆの香 — Local services in Nikko

I don't know why there's some reviews mentioning that this place is not welcoming foreigners. I went there with 2 friends (all foreigner) and had one of the most authentic onsen experience in Japan.

To start with, this is one of few options available if you want to enjoy day trip onsen without staying in a hotel/ryokan. Even though the information center near the bus station mentioned that there are plenty of day trip onsen, when we went to those places, it is only available for overnight guests.

So, this onsen place is not so big and it is pretty old. There's 2 pool, a large one, indoor. And small one, outdoor (fit for 4 person with decent personal space). The hot water is coming from natural source. You can smell the sulfur when you get into the bathing room. When were there, it was snowing and the outdoor pool become so pretty with the view to the snowy hills of nikko.

Outside the bathing area, the changing room is very small and there's no locker for your clothes, only trays to put all your belongings in one place. For your valuables, you can put them in the small locker outside the changing room.

The reception is also a restaurant. You can order food and drinks. One of the best experience I had here was to eat the poached egg for 100 JPY each. It is available in the reception counter. Don't forget to put some soy sauce in it.

Overall, I think this is one of the most original and authentic onsen experience that you should try if you...

Why are there even reviews saying that foreigners are not welcomed? The owner may not be the most friendly (I assume it was the language barrier) but she was not unwelcoming. I parked right outside the shop, walked in from the side entrance and the owner brought us through the instructions for the locker and to the onsen for 700 yen each. We were experienced users of the spa and knew what to do. The public spa is not very well maintained (some broken tiles) but it made the whole experience more authentic. This is a spa where the water is milky greenish yellow. Rich with sulphur and other minerals. The smell of sulphur is really strong. Possibly the minerals could have caused damage to the fixtures as they corroded. Do not wear silver accessories into the onsen or it will tarnish. There is an indoor and outdoor onsen. Water temperature was just nice and I did a long soak. After my spa, I headed out and dropped some coins for a cold onsen egg into the container and prepared my egg. Was delightful. After you’re done, walk out of the side entrance to the left and to the source of the hot spring attraction....

After a very long hiking trip I wanted to unwind at this Onsen, but when I entered the building and asked in Japanese if I could come in, the owner just made an X with her hands and said that I couldn't.

After leaving, the place was still open for about 1:30 hours, so I don't think it had anything to do with the opening times.

Make of that what you will, but my feeling moves more towards not being allowed in because I am...