Peepolo Norikura

Peepolo Norikura is a small pension on Norikura Kogen Onsen, with water piped down from partway up Mt. Norikura. It runs clear at the tap and clouds milky white with sulfur as soon as it hits the air, with plenty of yu-no-hana (湯の花) flakes floating in it. The pension keeps it fully kakenagashi (かけ流し), with no recirculation, chlorination, or added water, reheated as needed to hold a comfortable temperature. Both the indoor and outdoor tubs are on the small side, room for about three adults with legs stretched out, and the rotenburo runs mild, more nuru-yu (ぬる湯) than hot, with a mountain view and a stream within earshot. The building opened in 1969 as the mountain lodge Sanso Asahi (山荘旭) and was later renamed Peepolo Norikura. Its lobby still centers on a fireplace built by a previous owner, with a TV, shogi, and cards, plus a self-serve coffee counter where guests grind their own beans.