shibu onsen: bathing monkeys

some of the many baths in just one day in the town of yufuin.

shibu onsen, was founded in the year 1303 by a group of Soto Zen priests as their healing, getaway spot. in the hills above the shibu onsen, there are many temples and shrines you can pilgrimage to, even wake before dawn to join in a morning service.

shibu onsen is a sweet little one-road village along a pristine river, filled with 9 free public baths. each bath has a different kind of water, and thus a different healing property (miraculous cures for eczema, gout, internal maladies, general distress...) you have to stay overnight in this town to receive the key (shown in the slideshow) to the baths, so day-trippers cannot enter.

wander the village in your yukata, cotton robe, that the hotel provides. you will also find a bathing basket to take your small towel with you as you explore the local baths. the water in this town is HOT (47 degrees C). after testing the bath water---before stepping in!---feel free to add cold water from the spigot to cool it off (and don’t forget to turn off the cold water before you leave so the next person is not met with a lukewarm bath!) 

you may see onsen water cooking eggs to purchase if you are feeling peckish, or find old-school game arcades to while the time away. on the two nights in this town, one night we visit a local “slow food” restaurant which prepares local specialties and fresh local sake. on the other night the inn welcomes us with a banquet feast with a special visitor—-a show and some games by the last local onsen geisha in the area. prepare to be charmed!

of course, this romantic little “spirited away” village is becoming best known for being the closest onsen to the snow monkey hot spring, our destination on the full free day we enjoy in this area. our inn will drive us to the entrance tot he monkey park, and you can spend as much time as there as you wish. some choose to walk home (approx. 1 hour walk) or to meet the van for the ride back. there are many rules at the monkey park, see the link below.

nice link in english to the area: http://www.yudanaka-shibuonsen.com/shibu_onsen
monkey park link: https://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp