Staying at Kaikake Onsen (Kaikake ♨️)

Sei Shonagon's The Pillow Book is one of my favorite essays.

We are currently in the season of her famous phrase, "In spring, the dawn. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are revealed, faintly dyed with red, and wisps of cloud trail over them," but I am actually still using studless tires.

The reason is that, as a studless tire novice, I thought I could just have the tires stripped and mounted on the wheels every time, but a specialist shop pointed out my mistake (apparently, sports tires in particular get damaged), so I decided to buy wheels for the studless tires and change the wheel-mounted tires each season, but I haven't been able to get the wheels I need yet.

I started looking for wheels in March, but since it's a discontinued car model and there are almost no types of wheels that can structurally fit it, I inquired everywhere across the country for both genuine and aftermarket parts, but I couldn't find anything, new or used.

Then, after three weeks of searching in earnest, I finally found and bought a new-old stock set on Mercari, even though it wasn't my preferred color (it's a black-based color like the ones I currently have).

I believe that a rich color palette makes for a rich life, so I am more particular about color than most, but this time I realized that changing my preferred color would solve the problem (!), and now I am looking forward to being able to wear different colored wheels in summer and winter (no matter the situation, I am confident in my ability to think positively about things).

I rarely drive the car except to visit secret hot spring inns, so I would like to change them in late April so that I can make it in time for the next Golden Week.

By the way, two weeks after my purchase, as I write this, four sets are being sold cheaply on Yahoo Auctions: an old-type black-based used set, a white-based new-old stock set, a silver-based used set, and an aftermarket black-based used set.

Such is life.

※ I am the type who continues to watch the market even after purchasing, for future reference (I also regularly monitor foreign currency-denominated insurance products that move like a cat's eyes due to US interest rates and exchange rates, for the future).

Well, this time I had made a handmade three-day weekend by combining it with paid leave (that I needed to use), so after checking out of Hanaya in Bessho ♨️, I drove in the opposite direction instead of going home.

The destination is Kaikake Onsen during its "In spring, the dawn" period.

I remember visiting two years ago during Golden Week, and at that time the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

So, this time, one month before Golden Week, there are no cherry blossoms at all.

The scenery is completely different from the border between Nagano and Niigata on the local roads on the way there.

Well, I arrived at Kaikake Onsen just after 2:00 PM.

According to Google Maps, it's a three-hour drive from Hanaya, but since I did some shopping at supermarkets and convenience stores after checking out at 11:00 AM, it's a decent result.

Since it's Sunday, I predicted there would be many day-trippers, but there were almost none, so perhaps it was due to the spring snowfall the day before.

Usually, this is the season when people have already taken off their studless tires──── (in the style of Yoko from The Fable).

This time, the room is above the lobby, just like last time.

It's a bedroom with a view of the hot spring building side.

It has been beautifully renovated.

The floor heating is comfortable.

The customary login bonus.

And, while drinking, I flip through the famous (?) stink bug manga.

I immediately start my hot spring therapy.

I go down the stairs, walk down the hallway, and enter the bathing area.

Yes, this is the super lukewarm bath that everyone loves.

What else could one possibly need in this world besides a "lukewarm bath ♨️ with just a hint of viscosity and plenty of bubbles"?

During my stay, I will dedicate as much time as I have to this superb ♨️.

First, I start with the open-air bath, which has two impressive lanterns.

Here, I realize a shocking fact.

The bathing areas will be swapped after dinner, so the opportunity to enjoy this open-air bath will be over in just 2.5 hours from now.

Most of my innocent heart, having just checked in, is instantly tainted by this devil's whisper.

And so, I am forced to spend most of the day in the open-air bath.

By the way, there is also a heating tub in the back that feels like a supporting character.

I decide to take a peek.

Finally, here is the indoor bath after a significant amount of time has passed.

By the way, I wonder if there are many people who prefer the indoor bath over the open-air one at Kaikake ♨️.

The indoor bath has such a profound atmosphere.

It is very, very, very cool.

In any case, time just flows by while I am not thinking (and unable to think) about anything, just blanking out.

What should this phenomenon be called?

Perhaps it could be called positive stupefaction; it is a state of complete defenselessness.

If aliens 👽 planning to invade Earth were to devise a strategy to conquer humans, I think the first chapter would be devoted to the logistics 🛸 of how to supply Kaikake ♨️ to all of humanity.

If such a thing were possible, it seems like trivial international problems would be solved immediately... (in the style of utopian socialism).

Dinner time arrives in the blink of an eye.

The highlight might be the medicinal brown rice porridge.

My body is happy.

Something about the pork was also different.

After eating, I visually confirm the bath swap (secondary).

I also take a bath while I'm at it (primary).

In the drunken evening, I start to doze off while blanking out, so to avoid danger, I return to my room and ZZZZZzzzzz.

Monday morning has arrived.

Before my hot spring therapy, I check for the latest Fable update.

The thrilling developments at Onishi Park continue, with the feeling that not even a minute passes each week.

I finished reading it in "6 seconds" this week too, so I start my hot spring therapy.

Actually, I like this large indoor lukewarm tub the best.

I feel like it has better bubble formation compared to the others.

Though I have a feeling that might just be how it feels in the morning light...

In any case, oh, how alluring, oh, how alluring.

What on earth is this allure?

I also briefly show my face at the open-air bath, which only has a heated tub.

The lantern of the Association of Japanese Secret Hot Springs sits enthroned here.

Besides this one, there are two other secret hot spring lanterns installed outside the building that look like they had a hard time being placed there.

It is breakfast time, and I am reluctant to leave the fabulous lukewarm water.

Due to adult circumstances, I can really understand the feelings of an alien 👽 who has no choice but to leave their home planet.

I will come again.

On the way back, I saw two exhibits related to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field along the road (I saw the same ones when I came here the year before last).

Even so, I am happy because the National Travel Support coupon for a Sunday check-in is doubled.

On the other hand, I am unhappy because there is no highway holiday discount for a Monday check-out.

Also, many inns are cheaper to stay at on a Sunday compared to a Saturday, but when you take the highway tolls into account, the return trip discount is gone, so it probably breaks even.

Such is life.

No, but I think the fact that it is easier to book popular inns is something that cannot be replaced by anything else.

So, paid leave is the best!

ciao ciao

Click here for the Association of Japanese Secret Hot Springs Ranking / Best 20 Inns (August 2022) ↓

Click here for the Association of Japanese Secret Hot Springs Ranking / Best 10 Inns (1 night, 2 days from Osaka City) ↓