Yari Onsen 鑓温泉 (Sep 2016)

Introduction

Yari Onsen is a notenburo (野天風呂) located in the Hida mountains (飛騨山脈), which are also known as the Japan Northern Alps (北アルプス). Situated at an altitude of 2100m above sea level with a view to die for, and boasting an output rate of 750 litres/min, it is every onsen lover's paradise.

I first heard about this onsen from a fellow hiker while I was hiking Yufudake (由布岳) in Kyushu; and had since been dreaming about visiting it one day. Nothing beats soaking in an onsen after a hard day slogging it out in the mountains!

Experience

I did the Shirouma Sanzan (白馬三山) trek with a buddy to arrive at Yari Onsen, and spent the last night of the trek staying at the mountain lodge.

On the day that we hiked here from Hakuba Sanso (白馬山荘), we were apparently caught in the tail of a passing typhoon, and had to struggle in the rain, coupled with strong winds, while walking on a ridge, and subsequently, down a seemingly endless course of ladders and chains. We were filled with both excitement and relief when we finally smelled a sulphurous odour and heard the musical flow of onsen water.

After two nights of camping and a tough day hiking in the typhoon, we decided to stay at the mountain lodge. It turned out to be a wonderful ¥9,000-decision. The lodge was rather empty, and we get to have plenty of bunk space to ourselves. The chef happened to be in good mood that evening and gave all the guests extra large portions of curry and chicken katsu. On top of that, entry to the onsen was unlimited!

Onsen data

• Type: Hydrogen sulphide

• Source: natural flowing spring

• Flow rate: 750 litres/min

• Minerals: magnesium/calcium-bicarbonate salts

• Osmotic pressure: hypotonic

• pH: neutral

• Source temperature type: high—43.1℃ (ambience temperature during inspection: 12℃)

• Indications: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, cold body type, recovery from fatigue, chronic skin disease, diabetes, etc.

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• 泉質 / 含硫黄- マグネシウム・カルシウム -炭酸水素塩温泉[硫化水素型] （低張性中性高温泉）

• 適応症 / 神経痛、筋肉痛、関節痛、五十肩、冷え性、疲労回復、慢性皮膚病、糖尿病など

• 源泉温度 / ４３．１℃ （検査時気温12℃）

[Source: http://www.hakuba-sanso.co.jp/yarionsen/]

Review

• Experience (体験) : 5/5

• Ambience (雰囲気) : 5/5

• Rustic charm (野趣) : 5/5

• Accessibility (アクセス) : 2/5 [Hiking required]

• Price (値段) : 4/5 [¥500, free if staying in the lodge]