Located on the border between Hokkaido Central and Hokkaido South, on the Japan Sea side, this small hot spring inn in Shimamaki Village offers a cozy retreat. It is about 6 kilometers from the coast, nestled in the mountains, offering a relaxing hot spring experience as well as the opportunity to enjoy both mountain and sea delicacies. The inn was established shortly after the war (around 1945) and has been popular among fishermen for its soothing baths. The building has a rustic charm, with shared facilities like toilets and self-service futons, giving it a traditional inn feel. Meals are served in a separate room, allowing guests to enjoy their food at their own pace. The highlight of the meal was the sizzling seafood teppanyaki featuring oysters, scallops, clams, and turban shells. The seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked, with a savory flavor enhanced by a touch of soy sauce. The half portion of hairy crab was also delicious, with ample meat and easy-to-eat sections. The grilled fish, a local deep-sea fish called "monke," was mild in flavor and paired well with salty rice and beer. Breakfast included warm grilled saury, squid somen, and hot miso soup with nameko mushrooms and small conger eel tsukudani, all complementing the chewy rice. The hot spring baths, separated by gender, included indoor tubs with a shallow depth, suitable for soaking in the 39.2°C sodium-hydrogen carbonate-chloride spring water. The water felt refreshing and left the skin feeling smooth. The inn offers a simple and warm hospitality. Overall, it was a pleasant stay at a reasonable price of 8,100 yen per night with two meals included. Thank you for the hospitality.

Shimamaki Village is located between the town of Iwanai at the base of the Shakotan Peninsula on the Japan Sea side of Hokkaido, and Setana Town in southern Hokkaido. It is about a 3.5-hour drive from Sapporo. The village thrived in the past with herring fishing, and now it is known for various types of fishing such as flatfish, halibut, and saury, as well as salmon, octopus, shrimp, and abalone. During my visit, it was the season for sand lance fishing. The scenery of the boats with fish attracting lights on the dark sea at night was quite enchanting. The Chihasegawa Onsen Ryokan, a rustic hot spring inn, is located along a narrow road that winds up the mountain from a large sign on the national highway. The hot spring was discovered in the 4th year of the Meiji era and opened in the 18th year of the Meiji era (1885). It is a historic hot spring inn approaching its 130th anniversary. The hot spring water is a rich reddish gold color and has a strong mineral taste. The indoor bath and outdoor bath are separated by gender, and the outdoor bath is only open from April to November. The surrounding nature is serene and refreshing. The hot spring experience was rejuvenating. Day trip bathing costs 500 yen for adults and 400 yen for children. Overnight stay with meals ranges from 8,100 yen to 11,500 yen, featuring fresh seafood caught in Shimamaki's sea.

This time, after fishing, enjoy a day trip hot spring with a total mineral content of 5416mg/kg, with 100% natural spring water flowing. The warm feeling after soaking in the hot spring lasts for a long time. Challenging the vast sea of Shimamaki. Seeking healing in the vast sea of Shimamaki. Every year during Golden Week, I visit Shimamaki Village alone to pursue my hobby of lure fishing for early spring cherry salmon. Many fishermen are self-proclaimed experts, each with their own techniques and believing that their style is the best. I am one of them. However, the resilient fish that thrive in the great outdoors are clever and do not easily fulfill the stories we envision. In other words, they don't bite. The sea does not easily become our ally. "You're still too naive," the fish seem to laugh. This cycle repeats itself... and before I know it, it's always dusk. A mix of frustration and fulfillment fills my vague emotions as I clean up, fill my empty stomach at a nearby eatery, and prepare for the pitch-black night that awaits. The incredibly quiet night in Shimamaki is almost too lonely. However, the brilliance of the stars filling the cloudless night sky is breathtaking. As I welcome such nights, I always yearn for the hot spring. My heart is drawn to the hot spring located about a 15-minute drive from Enoshima Beach. "Chisosawa Onsen," a hot spring inn nestled in the mountains. The day trip bathing fee is 400 yen. When I visit at night, the inn is in a bit of a chaotic state due to the cleanup after serving dinner to the not-so-many guests. Nevertheless, the staff warmly welcome the bathers with a smile. The bath is small. However, despite its size, it has an open-air bath, and you can feel the goodness of the hot spring from the reddish-brown tub and floor stones. While pondering why I couldn't catch any fish, I slowly unwind in the rich and intense hot water... Today, when I couldn't catch any fish, is already a thing of the past, and it reminds me that tomorrow is a new challenge. With that realization, the tiredness of the day slowly turns into a pleasant fatigue. The ice cream after the bath is store-bought. However, its sweetness, like the hot spring, seeps into the tired body and tastes delicious. Maintaining the mind and body at a cozy hot spring... Recommended for outdoor enthusiasts or hardcore hot spring fans who don't sweat the small stuff. Sodium - Carbonate Hydrogen-Chloride Spring (neutral low-osmotic hot spring) (formerly known as salt-bicarbonate spring) Source temperature 39.2 degrees, pH 6.5 (neutral), spring discharge 27L per minute (pumped) Slightly yellowish turbid, salty and carbonated, odorless.