Today I’m presenting the second half of hot spring spots in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture!♨ Yesterday, May 26th, was "Gensen Kakenagashi Onsen Day"✨ The date comes from a wordplay on "Gokujou (5) na Furo (26)"😲 Be sure to check the previous post for hot spring facilities numbered 1–4✨ After enjoying rafting, cycling, and outdoor activities in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, head to a hot spring facility to wash off the sweat—let’s go! 5. Ouka no Sato La Foret Shobara (photos 1–3) This accommodation sits in a great location about three minutes from Shobara IC. You can enjoy day-trip bathing and day meals. The baths, which switch between men and women daily, offer as many as 16 different tubs. There are various features such as waterfall showers, kata tataki-style baths, reclining baths, and esthetic baths. The large indoor bath and open-air bath are also popular. The sauna includes a dry sauna and a mist sauna; because they swap by day, sauna fans often come eager to try "today’s dry sauna" or "today’s mist sauna." Address: 5281-1 Shinjomachi, Shobara City Phone: 0824-73-1800 Day-trip bathing hours: 11:00–20:00 ※During Golden Week, Obon, and the New Year holidays: until 18:00 Day-trip bathing fees: Adults (12 and over) 700 yen, Children (6–11) 350 yen 6. Hiwa Onsen Facility Akebonosou (photos 4–6) Reborn in 2018 as a "health promotion facility," Hiwa Onsen Facility Akebonosou adjoins the Hiwa elderly winter-care residence. Visitors from outside the town are of course welcome. Located about 30 minutes from Shobara IC, the building features abundant local wood. There are two bathing rooms that swap genders weekly. One is a rugged rock bath and the other is a refreshing hinoki (Japanese cypress) bath with a pleasant aroma. Both are a comfortable size where you can relax at leisure. Address: 535-1 Hiwa, Hiwa-cho, Shobara City Phone: 0824-85-2528 Day-trip bathing hours: 11:00–21:00 ※Reception until 20:30 Day-trip bathing fees: General 360 yen, Elementary school students 150 yen ※There is also an 11-use coupon book (General 3,650 yen, Elementary 1,500 yen) 7. Ayu no Sato Park Takase no Yu (photos 7–8) Ayu no Sato Park, a lodging facility overlooking the Saijo River, attracts visitors with its open, scenic location. It has a main building, annex, and auto campsite, and you can also enjoy day-trip meals, so it can be used in many ways. Operated by the Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization, it also serves as the departure and arrival point for the "Shobara Satoyama Rafting" run, so after plenty of rafting you can refresh yourself in the hot spring. Address: 1641-1 Nagata, Kuwacho, Shobara City Phone: 0824-89-2244 Day-trip bathing hours: 10:30–19:00 Day-trip bathing fees: Adults 520 yen, Children 310 yen 8. Takano Onsen Kaminose no Yu (photos 9–11) This compact facility charms with a homely atmosphere. The source water is simply heated, giving the water a slightly silky feel. It is said to be effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue recovery. On weekday mornings and early afternoons the place can be quiet, and sometimes you can have a tub all to yourself. In addition to the indoor bath, there is a rock open-air bath that offers the ambiance of a Japanese-style garden. The bathing rooms provide body soap and rinse-in shampoo, and the shop sells towels and razors. The ease of dropping in empty-handed is another welcome point. Address: 1144-3 Shinichi, Takano-cho, Shobara City Phone: 0824-86-2251 Day-trip bathing hours: 10:00–21:00 ※Reception until 20:30 Day-trip bathing fees: Adults 360 yen, Elementary school students 150 yen