Ai Ai Hirata onsen

Ai Ai Hirata is a higaeri nyuyoku (日帰り入浴) facility up on a hill in the old town of Hirata, in Sakata. The big bath looks out over the Shonai plain, and the lounge has the same view, so people come for the scenery as much as the soaking. The water is yellowish gold, a little thick, and very salty; some visitors say it stings around the eyes. There is a sauna, and an open-air bath that visitors say is closed through the winter. The dining room serves ramen, and a salt soft serve gets good mentions. It sits a bit off the main road, so it feels more like a trip than a quick neighborhood stop.