Staying at Annex Hotel Hirayu no Mori (Hirayu Onsen)

I usually use Google Maps when looking for hotels abroad.

I check the ratings and prices of hotels near airports, around the stations I'm targeting, or near places I plan to visit, check the OTA pages for places that catch my eye, and finally book directly through their own websites.

However, I had never applied this process to searching for hot spring inns in Japan.

This is because, for domestic travel, there are organizations like the Association for the Preservation of Japanese Hot Spring Culture (including the Association for the Preservation of Japanese Hidden Hot Springs, the Association for the Preservation of Japanese Source Spring Inns, and the Association for the Preservation of Japanese Cultural Heritage), the Japan Classic Hotel Association, and the Pure Onsen Association, which make it easy to access the information I want.

Also, I often come across useful information on Instagram, X, Facebook, etc., in my daily life.

Furthermore, if there is a hot spring area I'm targeting, I can search based on that to check candidates on various OTA pages and blogs.

Therefore, I could say that until now, there was no need to utilize Google Maps.

On the other hand, although it's not quite 'Solitary Gourmet,' if 'searching for hot spring inns on Google Maps is the greatest healing equally given to modern people,' then there is no reason not to do it.

So, let's start searching right away!

The target is Hirayu Onsen, where there is a challenge with inns that offer room-only plans.

There are about three places in this hot spring town where you can eat and drink at night, so I want to find a nice room-only inn other than Hirayu no Mori.

The result was... I found one!

An inn I had never noticed before, and what's more, it's part of the Hirayu no Mori group!

I should have been able to see it on the Hirayu no Mori official website, but it was a case of 'the darkest place is under the candlestick.'

When I looked into it, it seems to be the only business hotel in the Okuhida Onsen Village, and it's a renovation project of a closed-down inn.

Also, it looks like I can get a free pass to Hirayu no Mori.

Yes, let's book it ASAP.

So, the day to go to Hirayu Onsen has arrived.

Since it's the first day of a three-day weekend, I'm setting off prepared for traffic jams.

The normal route (Plan A) is Shin-Midosuji -> Meishin Expressway from Suita IC -> Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway, but when Kyoto city is congested, it becomes Meishin Expressway -> Keiji Bypass -> Meishin Expressway -> Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway (Plan B).

This time it's Plan B.

By the way, Plan C for when traffic is really bad is National Route 163 -> Daini Keihan Road from Kadoma IC -> get off once at Joyo IC and enter the Keiji Bypass from Uji IC -> Meishin Expressway -> Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.

I'll have lunch at the Fukube-ga-take PA on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.

I often come here because it's empty even at lunchtime.

They also have Betokon Ramen (short for Best Condition Ramen), which is a Gifu local specialty, on the menu.

Once I entered Takayama City and drove smoothly along the road that had become a complete snowy landscape, I arrived at Hirayu Onsen, where snow was falling in earnest.

Time to check in.

I receive the free pass for Hirayu no Mori.

It seems there is no expiration date, and it can be used at any time.

It's a login bonus.

The cup noodles I bought as a self-souvenir are puffed up like a pufferfish that's been reeled in.

I'll start my hot spring activities immediately.

It's a smooth hot spring with a faint oil scent.

Since there is only one venue (indoor bath), I can concentrate on my hot spring activities without being distracted by various targets.

While leaving the question of when to play the card of the Hirayu no Mori free pass, I look outside, but a 10-minute walk in this snowfall... I'm starting to feel that the indoor bath in the building is enough.

This is exactly the same phenomenon that occurred at Kawayu Matsuya.

Well, for now, it's time for some onsen activity.

However, since I didn't bring any food this time, I absolutely have to go out in the middle of midwinter at an altitude of over 1,000 meters. I won't say 'I wish I had brought dinner!', but I am thinking that maybe bringing some next time is an option. I wonder if I can survive this bitter cold wearing only two layers: the light down jacket (Peak Performance) I bought for the first time in my life this year, and the ultra-warm innerwear (Uniqlo).

Well, well, for now, it's time for some onsen activity.

I don't want to go out into the cold, but I can't beat my hunger, so I've decided to go to a ramen izakaya less than a minute's walk away.

Oh, it's not cold at all; I'm totally fine.

Wearing just the two layers of Peak Performance (light down) and Uniqlo (ultra-warm) is enough.

I visited right after they opened, but customers kept arriving one after another, and in the blink of an eye, there was a line.

And just like the Google reviews said, it's enjoyable.

With delicious drinks, snacks, and ramen, my memory fades away.

Fantastic!

Bubble bubble bubble

Even with no memory, I enjoy the onsen activity.

I collapsed right there and woke up in the middle of the night.

It's a wonderful snowy morning after going back to sleep.

COME ON YOU HIRAYUUUUUU!!!

The weather is nice.

I will come again.

Farewell