Shinzanso

853. Shinzanso, Shinhotaka Onsen, Okuhida Onsen, Gifu ★★★ The facility has been closed and is no longer operating since May 2026. I visited for a day trip bath for ¥500. The day trip bath was listed from 12:00 to 20:00, but not on every weekday. The outdoor area is mixed bathing. It has three levels, each with a large stone bath. The view is super impressive, very wide, over the river, the other bank, the mountains, the forest, and the bridge. From the lower level, you can go straight down into the river. 1. Upper stone bath with an umbrella by the changing room. The water is clear, with white lime and sediment on the bottom. Temperature: 42. 2. Middle stone bath. The water is clear, with white lime and sediment on the bottom. Temperature: 42. 3. Lower stone bath. The water is clear, with white lime and sediment on the bottom. Temperature: 42. 4. The river below the lower level. With the outside temperature at -2, the water temperature in the river by the lower onsen was 18. It is a huge loss that this onsen no longer operates. Large multi-level baths with a wide view, konyoku. It definitely belongs on the list of the most impressive onsen I have visited. 10.03.2026

A pretty cheap ryokan at the far end of Okuhida, but I only have higaeri experience. No matter what time I arrive, they always let me in. It costs a measly 500 yen. The water is clear, technically slightly sulfuric but with no smell or color, with light flakes of mineral deposits. 4 baths cascading down toward the river — two are men-only, one is women-only (with a fence), and from the women's bath there's a descent into the third bath on the men's staircase, making the bottom bath konyoku (mixed). There are no strict rules about clothing — some wear a towel, some a swimsuit, some nothing at all. From the bottom bath you take one step and you're in the river, where there's a sandbar, a natural pool, and it varies from knee-deep to chest-deep, so especially in summer you can swim in the cool water (weak current), and in other seasons use it as a cold bath — though be careful in winter, the water is very cold. From the bottom bath and the river there's a beautiful view of a suspension bridge over the river. In the evening they turn on lights on it and it's incredibly beautiful, especially in fog. - Changing rooms are simple outdoor ones — no heating, no lockers, but covered. Protected from wind and rain, but cold in winter. - Water from 42 degrees in the upper bath to 39-40 in the lower mixed one. - No milk, but drink vending machines in the main building. - From the main building it's a 20-second walk to the rotenburo. - No showers (at least for higaeri). - Toilet in the main building. - From the baths, views of the river, mountains, and visible peaks. - In winter, free snow all around. - None of this matters because you can go into the river.