Takaranoyu

A very atmospheric, cozy, and heartfelt super-sento designed in a traditional style. The staff maintain high standards and even organized a healthy nebuta (decorative lantern) above the reception. The water is "Kin-no-yu": neutral, pH 6.6, odorless, dense and cloudy, with a rich reddish-brown color and a wild amount of sodium chloride, so be careful if your skin reacts badly to salt. It is claimed to have the same origin as the waters of Arima, so technically they are twins, and the name "Kin-no-yu" is more justified than ever in this case. The establishment is very proud of this source and provides detailed explanations with pictures about its origin (spoiler: it is former seawater dragged deep underground by plate movements 70 million years ago), and next to the building there is even a promotional non-drinking sample. Inside: * Large main bath * Sitting bath * Three different saunas: dry, steam, and salt Outside in the garden: * Mizuburo (water bath) * Carbonated bath * Jet baths * A couple of barrels * A complex multi-level rotenburo (open-air bath) made of stone: several baths at different heights, depths, and dilution levels * The highlight of the facility: a rotenburo with kakenagashi (free-flowing water). Due to the color and mineral deposits on the stones (the stones are hard to see), it looks extremely epic. Sitting inside feels like being cooked in soup. Everything else is also available: towel rental, ganbanyoku (hot stone spa), massage, chill zone, restaurant. The onsen captivated me with its atmosphere; it definitely falls into the category of homey places and will be visited regularly.