participation fee:
Y11,000/adult
includes the cost of the room & breakfast at the minshuku
destination:
yubara outdoor open-air hotsprings in okayama prefecture
date:
2nd or 3rd weekend every month
check the event calendar for the exact dates!
when:
saturday afternoon/evening to sunday afternoon/evening
accommodation:
stay in a local minshuku
transportation:
up to 2 vans & drivers are prepared by kigouya
capacity:
space is limited!
in the kigouya vans there are seats for 12 adults max.
weather:
rain & cold are not a problem at yubara!
meals:
sat evening & sunday afternoon we go to an izakaya restaurant in yubara town.
alcohol:
kigouya provides a cooler full of ice-cold beer (3 for Y1000) & chu-hi (2 for Y500) but you can bring your own drinks as well!
what to bring:
towel, jacket, comfortable walking shoes, your personal things (toothbrush, etc.), camera.
money for: the participation fee, dinner & lunch, souvenirs & snacks, etc.
besides that it's necessary for you just to show up & have a good time. kigouya even prepares sarongs (sari) for the girls, so don't worry if you suddenly feel bashful.
trip plan:
of course we'll spend alot of time in the hotsprings, but depending on the weather, it's possible to hike, visit waterfalls and otherwise enjoy some peaceful time in nature!
departure time:
saturday some time after 4pm
(we leave when it’s most convenient for all participants)
departure place:
kishi station west exit at the top of the stairs
(you’ll see a big red pachinko parlor)
return time:
sunday before 6pm
return place:
the west exit of kishi station
reservation deadline:
the friday before departure, 9pm
if you are interested in participating, please let us know.
children:
children are welcome
if seats are available, a discount may be possible for small children--please check with us
rough schedule
saturday
afternoon or evening: depart by van from kishi station in habikino-shi
(actual departure time depends on the convenience of the people who are participating each time)
2.5hrs later: arrive in yubara town, have dinner at an izakaya (when applicable)
afterwards, soak & relax in the outdoor hotspring, drink & chat
later: go to the minshuku or campsite, continue drinking, snacks, chat & sleep
sunday
morning: breakfast, onsen, relax
afternoon: lunch, nap, hike, depart
evening: arrive habikino
yubara details:
located in okayama-ken, less than a 3hr drive to the west of downtown osaka, yubara is the perfect weekend getaway
.
there are three pools of hot water, each a different temperature. it's possible to soak comfortably for 3hrs or more--and we do! usually twice--once when we arrive and once more the following morning after breakfast. two completely different moods & atmospheres to be taken advantage of--the calm cool nighttime of moon & stars, and the relaxing daytime of sun & fun. it's possible to go to a nearby park for frisbee, drinking, hiking & whatnot.this trip is co-ed, all ages:
especially recommended for couples of any age, any persuasion, w/ young children or without.*
what this is:
a rare opportunity for anyone & everyone to experience unique traditional japanese countryside baths. it really is great for couples & families. it used to be quite common to enjoy co-ed all-ages outdoor natural hotsprings (rotenburo) & even public bathhouses (sento) thru-out japan. the country folk aren't as bashful as the city folk are these days, so it's still possible to find these kinds of bath in japan, but usually they're very far away in the countryside to the north. kigouya trips are completely mixed, meaning both foreigners as well as japanese, and both male & female, as well as children, are usually in attendence.
what this is not:
this is not a kinky or sexy nitetime foray. it's not a nude, bare-it-all extravaganza. by no means need you be the so-called 'adventurous' type. its very rare that someone wears a bathing suit, but it's perfectly okay to wrap yourself in a towel or sarong (ladies). just be aware that others may not be so bashful--which means if you aren’t uncomfortable seeing other people as nature meant them to be, then you'll have no worries at yubara.
again:
this is an opportunity suitable for friends & family. you will see all kinds of people at the bath.
we won't lie:
some men (and women) are going to stare, at least initially. however, we have never had any problems. they're usually content to gaze at a sight & openness that for better or worse is becoming rarer & rarer in this country. bathers have no problem establishing an adequate amount of distance between themselves, and in instances in which the someone seems intent on staring, all that is required is to turn your back in his (or her) direction to send the desired message.
let's face it:
it's nite, it's dark & most of the time you'll be soaking in the bath up to your neck anyway, so it's not quite as exposed as some people might imagine (or hope?). past experience has shown that folks get over the initial novelty within the first 15 minutes & relax perfectly well, enjoying the unique opportunity to chat & get to know each other in the comfort & coziness of the natural surroundings.
the location couldn't be better:
right next to a crystal clear stream below a dam in the mountains of okayama, a truly great prefecture for japanese nature. occasional dips in the icy-cold stream are not only incredibly refreshing but also allow you to tolerate the heat of the onsen for a much longer period than usual. highly recommended!
*it is our policy not to discriminate--however, out of a sense of fairness, equality, decency & etiquette, we ask that single straight males be accompanied by at least one female friend (it doesn't have to be your girlfriend or wife)--we thank you for your understanding...
