I went to the public bath “Mikoku-yu” which I can walk from my wife and Kinshicho station the other day.
To my surprise, this public bath is a natural hot spring.
I was touched that it is only 460 yen and I can visit hot springs in Tokyo.
One of the purpose of this blog is running, but it is so-called Sento running, but unfortunately this “Mikoku-yu” does not do luggage temporary keeping service.
However, it was a wonderful public bath, so I would like to introduce it on my blog regardless of purpose.
The bathtub area is located on the 4th and 5th floors of the building, and the man and woman’s baths seem to be replaced periodically.
On this day, the man bath is on the 5th floor, the bathtub has as many as 8 baths, there is also a half dew bath, and it can also cool with a little outdoor space.
Stylish mural painting with tiled interior is fashionable.
On the first floor there was a large lobby complete with vending machines, I relaxed and bought a canned beer while watching TV and was able to wait for my wife.
The only thing I regrettable with this public bath is the point far from the station,
It took about 20 minutes on foot from Kinshicho station.
Mikoku-yu sign: It may be a bit confusing.
As long as you are not a fan of a public bath like me, it may be painful to walk so far.
Anyway,
In Sento sold for natural hot springs I am the most loved in Tokyo “Soshiya 21” of Soshigaya-okukra, but this “Mikoku-yu” was also a lovely public bath that will surely repeat.
Kunitachi Onsen Yu Raku no Yura – no – sato is a natural hot spring located in Kunitachi City, Tokyo.
You can enjoy a wide variety of hot spring baths, outdoor baths and saunas, sleepwear and other sleeping baths while enjoying a rich variety of baths, and also welcoming running guests.
This facility is not “public bath” but “health land”, so the price is a bit higher compared to public baths, but it is possible to rest almost one day because there are also restaurants and a nap room.
Because it is located along the Tamagawa River, the backside of the facility is a running course soon, after comfortable running, eat a meal in the restaurant in a hot spring and enjoy a nap in a nap room slowly.
Detailed information
Adress : 3143-1 Yaho, Kunitachi, Tokyo 186-0011 Tel: 042-580-1726 Official Site:https://www.yurakirari.com/yura/kunitachi/ Access: ① Visit by car
National Highway No. 20 (Koshu Highway) “National Inter entrance” turn in the direction of Hachioji towards the intersection.
Take the side road near Ministop and turn right at “Ishida Bridge North” intersection, go straight ahead 300 m left on “Fresco National South”
② Visit by train
About 15 minutes on foot from each station of JR Nambu Line “Yagawa Station” and Tama Monorail “Manji temple station”. Along Izumi Avenue.
③ Visit by bus
1. From JR National Station South Exit, or JR Yagawa Station North Exit, get on the “National Tramway” and before the end stop at the “National Stations”.
2. From JR National Station South Exit, or JR Yagawa Station North Exit, board the National Fountain Park and get off at the National Fountain Park Entrance.
Right diagonally across the road “In Frestaino National South”
Closed : open all year round Opening hours: 9: 00-25: 00 Entrance Fee: Weekdays 820 yen holiday 930 yen
Kunitachi Hot Spring Yura-no-sato 国立温泉湯楽の里
Running Course
The above is a model course for running along the Tama River from “Yura-no-sato”.
Along the Tama River there are few signals and you can run comfortably, but in summer it may be a bit too hot as there are not many shadows.
Running towards Ome, you can see the mountains of Mt.Fuji and Okutama so you can feel like being open-minded.
Because there is a park in the middle, there is no problem with toilet break or hydration with a vending machine.
Yu-no-Sato restaurant
How to accept running
Please refer to the following procedure when using this hot spring with running.
① Put shoes in the shoe box and tell the clerk of the reception, “I would like to use for running.”
② Change your clothes in the changing room and let the baggage be in the locker in the change room.
③ Let’s pass the key of the locker in the change room to the receptionist, you need to write your signature, address and scheduled time back to the document at this time.
A clerk hands over some of the documents you wrote.
④ Let’s enjoy running.
⑤ When returning, show the document you wrote to the receptionist and receive the key of the changing room locker.
Mt. Takao’s trail is just off the Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station | 京王高尾線高尾山口駅.
It takes about 1 hour by train from Shinjuku staition.
HIKING OVERVIEW:
If you can not enjoy hiking because it is too hot in summer in Japan.
How about hiking starting from the evening?
August 15, 2018 I went hiking at Mt. Takao at night.
There are two reasons.
The first one is to see the japanese giant squirrel at Mt. Takao at night.
Mt. Takao lives a lot of the japanese giant squirrel, but since they are nocturnal they can not meet without visiting at night.
Another reason is to enjoy the night view of Tokyo from Mt. Takao.
You can look over Tokyo from near the cable car platform. If the air is clear, you can hope for Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower.
The night view of Tokyo from mountain was simply stunning.
WHAT TO BRING:
• mountaineering shoes
• Sufficient water (1.5 liters on this day)
• Light snack (Sandwiches and rice balls etc…)
• the mosquito repellent spray
• changing clothes (If you visit a hot spring.)
• Light with red cellophane attached
↓↓↓↓
The japanese giant squirrel is very timid.
If you hit the light of the light directly, they may scare and may not come out of the nest. Be sure to put a red cellophane on the light.
SCHEDULE FOR THIS DAY:
Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station | 京王高尾線高尾山口駅（4:00 PM）
(Mt. Takao has some trails, but I chose Inariyama Trail this day.)
↓
Mt.Takao| 高尾山山頂（5:30 PM）
↓
Yakuo-in | 薬王院有喜寺（6:00 PM）
(you have to report the observation of the Giant Flying Squirrel to the company office of shrine which is called as Shamu-Sho 社務所.)
↓
Takao station of cable car | ケーブルカー 高尾山駅（7:30 PM）
↓
Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station | 京王高尾線高尾山口駅（8:30 PM）
As a result, did I see Giant Flying Squirrel?
On this day, I was able to see Giant Flying Squirrel, I will summarize concrete actions below.
6:00 PM
I arrived at Yakuo-in as planned, the sunset of this day is scheduled for 6:32 PM.
I immediately looked for Tree hollow which is the nest of Giant Flying Squirrel.
tree hollow or tree hole
A tree hollow or tree hole is a semi-enclosed cavity which has naturally formed in the trunk or branch of a tree. They are found mainly in old trees, whether living or not. Hollows form in many species of trees, and are a prominent feature of natural forests and woodlands, and act as a resource or habitat for a number of vertebrate and invertebrate animals.
Quote: Wikipedia
6:30 PM
I found 2 Tree hollows that seemed to be nest of Giant Flying Squirrel in 30 minutes after arrival.
One in the back of Oku-no-Fudoin and one in the middle of the staircase leading to the summit.
A few minutes to sunset, I waited for sunset.
6:45 PM
I kept observing the Tree hollows in the stairs for about 15 minutes, but Giant Flying Squirrel did not show up, I headed for another candidate Oku-no-Fudoin.
I came to foot of the tree and turned on the light and looked up to the Tree hollow.
Then …
There was! ! !
Clearly the red eyes of Giant Flying Squirrel from the Tree hollow were watching me!
Because Giant Flying Squirrel is afraid of lights, I knew that if I shine a lot of light on him, he will not come out of the nest.
Nonetheless, I could not hide joy and excitement in the face of the first Giant Flying Squirrel and I did shine a lot of light on to his nest many times.
But due to my misbehavior, Giant Flying Squirrel did not come out easily from the nest.
7:10 PM
The first excitement I found Giant Flying Squirrel settled down little by little, I tried to shift the light from the nest and shine a light on.
Then Giant Flying Squirrel was relieved, came out of the nest and showed me the whole picture.
The Giant Flying Squirrel I met for the first time was bigger than I imagined, surprisingly it was about the size of a cat.
The Giant Flying Squirrel is also called “a flying a zabuton” and is the largest species of mouse in Japan in the eyes.
7:15 PM
After leaving the nest The Giant Flying Squirrel wandered around the trees, for a while, then disappeared into the depths of the forest without flying through the sky.
I could not see The Giant Flying Squirrel which is flying this day after all in the end.
I think now, it may be because I was too excited at the Giant Flying Squirrel who appeared at last, and shine a light on too many times.
The lesson I got this day is that if you discover the Giant Flying Squirrel, do not shine a light directly on the light.
Apparently the Giant Flying Squirrel is a very cowardly creature, and if you shine a light directly on too, they will alarmed and will not move at all.
I can witness the giant of the Giant Flying Squirrel to fly at a later date, but it can be said that reflection at this time was useful.
It will also summarizes it in another blog.
Map of the hiking course
↑Click the image to open a map expanded with new tab↑
CAUTIONS WHEN OBSERVE:
If you want to directly illuminate the musasabi, use red cellophane paper and gently light up with red light and let’s observe.
Let’s observe quietly without loud voice.
Let’s minimize the photography with the strobe.
Bon fires are forbidden.
setting up a tent is prohibited.
Please do not leave any trash.
Please stop acts that threaten the living things.
Please do not enter into the fence or the implantation.
Please do not light the inside of the building with a powerful light.
AFTER THE HIKE:
There is a hot spring at Takao-San-guchi station which is the goal of the hiking course.
Keio Takaosan hot spring “Gokuraku-yu” is able to enjoy an outdoor bath and a variety of compatible bathtubs and saunas for a bathing rate of 1,000 yen.
If you go home on a hot spring and relax, take a change of clothes.
Store Information
Name: Gokuraku-yu | 極楽湯
Address : 2229 7th Takao-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo
Tel: 042-663-4126
website: http://www.takaosan-onsen.jp/english/
Access : Next to the Keio Takao Line Takaosanguchi station
Closed: open 365 days per year
Business hours : 8: 00 ~ 23: 00 (last entrance reception 22: 00)
Usage fee : 1000 yen (Bathing fee included)
If you are looking for guide of this tour please refer to the following.
From JR · Keio Corporation Takao Station North Exit, we will arrive at “Bus bound for Kobotoke | 小仏” bus in about 20 minutes (230 yen) for “Kobotoke bus station | 小仏バス停”.
On July 14, 2018 we went hiking to eat “shaved ice” on the top of the mountain.
The shaved ice that I eat at the summit while watching the spectacular view from the mountain was the best!
This hiking course starts the Kobotoke bus stop, passes through the Kobotoke Pass, and is a trail of 8.8 km in length which goes to Takaosanguchi station via Mt. Kobotokeshiroyama.
At Mt.Kobotokeshiroyama’s “Harumi tea house” we ate a popular shaved ice, and at the end we relaxed at the Takaosanguchi station at the hot spring adjacent to Keio Corporation.
Mt.Takao is known as a mountain of faith from the Edo period, and mountain faith Yakuouin hall is dotted in the mountain 600 meters above sea level and forms a mysterious atmosphere.
Mt.Takao was selected as a three star tourist destination together with Mt.Fuji at Mt.Takao in Michelin in France in the Japanese version travel guide book in 2009.
Therefore, it became a very popular hiking course, and it was very crowded on the day.
For that reason, we chose “No.6 Road” instead of “No.1 Road” from the summit of Mt.Takao.
↑Click the image to open a map expanded with new tab↑
AFTER THE HIKE:
There is a hot spring on the goal of this hike.
The name of this hot spring is “Gokuraku-yu” and it is adjacent to Takaosanguchi station of Keio Corporation.
Bathing fee is 1000 yen, you can enjoy outdoor bath and various types of bathtub.
If you go into a hot spring and relax and go home, I recommend you take clothes.
If you want to relax slowly in Tokyo sightseeing and want to beautiful flowers and nature, “Jindaiji area” is recommended.
You can reach from Shinjuku within 1 hour, and you can enjoy a vast botanical garden, mysterious temples, a natural hot spring, the townscape as if you had time slip in the Edo period!
In addition, there are more than 20 buckwheat noodle shops in this area and you can eat delicious soba in a store like a scene of SAMURAI movie.
Jindai Botanical Garden 神代植物公園
The Jindai Botanical Gardens are Tokyo Metropolitan Botanic Gardens located in Chofu City, Tokyo, It is the only plant park as Tokyo Metropolitan.
Approximately 4,500 kinds, 100 thousand plants are planted in the park, also known as sightseeing spot of plum and cherry blossoms.
Address: 5-31-10 Jindaiji-motomachi, Chofu-city, Tokyo
Opening Hours: [Sun · Tues – Saturday · Holiday] 9: 30 ~ 17: 00
※ The last entry of this garden is until 16:00
※ The closing time of the aquatic botanical garden is 16:30
Closed: Monday(If Monday is a holiday, next day)
Admission Fee: 500yen
Tel: 042-483-2300
Website: http://www.tamanoya.com/
Access:
From Keio Line
From Chofu Station, get off at “神代植物園前 Jindai Shokubutu Kouen Mae” to Kichijoji Station or Mitaka Station on the Odakyu Bus,
Or get off at “Jindai Botanical Gardens” for Keio Bus to 深大寺 Jindaiji
From Tsutsujigaoka station, get off at “Jindai Botanical Gardens” for Keio Bus to 深大寺 Jindaiji
From JR Chuo Line
From Mitaka Station or Kichijoji Station, Odakyu Bus to 調布駅北口 Chofu Station North Exit or 深大寺 Jindaiji
Get off at “神代植物園前 Jindai Botanical Gardens”
※ The bus ride time is about 20 minutes.
Jindaiji backwheat noodle shop “Tamano-ya” | 深大寺そば 玉乃屋
Personally recommended at Jindaiji area where there are many soba shops is “Tamano-ya”.
This buckwheat store in front of the Jindaiji-temple gate behind the “Jindai Botanical Garden” is as if it appears like a director Kurosawa’s SAMURAI movie in a dim forest.
Tenzaru | 天ざる
Tenzaru is a dish of buckwheat noodles with seewead scattered on and a dish of tempura by 1350 yen.
Address: 5-11-3 Jindaiji-motomachi, Chofu-city, Tokyo
Opening Hours: [Sun · Tues – Saturday · Holiday] 9: 30 ~ 16: 30
Closed: Monday
Tel: 042-485-0303
Website: http://www.tamanoya.com/
Access: 1 min walk from Jindaiji gate of the Jindai Botanical Garden
Jindaiji Temple | 深大寺
The name of “Jindaiji” is said to originate from the water god “Jinja the Great” who was supposed to defend Xuanzangu, a Chinese monk who traveled to India in search of Buddhism.
Tell us that this temple opened up in the Tenpyo 5th year of the Nara period (733 years). In the Heian era in 859, it converts to Tendai sect.
This temple suffered a fire in 1646 and 1865 in the Edo period and lost most of the hall.
The current main hall is the reconstruction of the Taisho era.
The oldest temple in Tokyo is Asakusa in Asakusa, but the second oldest temple in Tokyo is this Jindaiji Temple.
There are many tea shops on the street in front of the temple, you can enjoy Japanese unique sweets such as buns and sauce and Japanese tea.
Jindaiji Hot Spring “Yumori-no-sato” | 深大寺温泉「湯守の里」
Entrance of Jindaiji Hot Spring
Address: 2-12-2 Jindaiji-motomachi, Chofu-city, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 10: 00 ~ 22: 00
※However, there may be temporary closure due to maintenance
Admission Fee:
1200 yen (There is no time limit, towel set · wears in the hall)
900 yen (Within 1 hour, no towel set · no wears in the hall)
Tel: 042-499-7777
Website: http://www.yumorinosato.com/
Access: 5 minutes on foot from Jindai Temple
The ingredient of this hot spring is sodium, the same concentration as the salt concentration of the human body.
Therefore, the burden when entering a hot spring is very few, it is a gentle hot spring.
The black hot water contains plenty of organic substances called “humic acid” in which plants such as kelp and ferns are matured, which are contained in the 1500 m underground layer.
Normal hot springs begin to degrade as soon as they enter the air.
This hot spring is suppressed from deterioration by the power of “humic acid”, and it has become plentiful mineral.
This “humic acid” also has the power to decompose toxins.
Daibutsu Hiking Course is a hiking course packed with highlights that connects ‘Jouchiji Temple of Kitakamikura’ and the symbol of Kamakura ‘Great Buddha’ which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple.
It is a course with a great relief and a walking distance of about 3 km in total length. Please avoid leather shoes and heels.
Hiking course which is representative of Kamakura very popular from hiking beginners to advanced people.
If you have plenty of time you can enter the hot spring in the ocean view and relax and return home.
Kamakura is a popular tourist destination to arrive in about 1 hour from Shinjuku. You can see lots of old shrines, temples and Japanese garden and enjoy various types of Japanese restaurants.
※It is an outline of the approximate course, please note that it is not completely correct guidance.
There is a map of today’s course in front of the station.
Leave the station and turn to the left.
It goes through several temples by Jouchiji Temple for the purpose.
Turn right at this sign.
Jouchiji Temple is more attractive than nature’s famous Zen temple, nature is deep and wild
Admission fee 200 yen.
Continue along the bamboo stuff on the side of Jodiji Temple.
It turns into a mountain path from this neighborhood.
Probably it is a squirrel on the way of the trail, if you hear strange cries from the trees.
I will arrive at the Kuzuhara shrine after going on a steep slope for a while.
In the park adjacent to the shrine, a bench is set up and it is ideal for taking a break.
It is a view which can see the city of Kamakura.
Nearby there is a grave of Toshimoto Hino which is a god of Kuzuhara Oka Shrine.
Let’s follow the signs of Daibutu Hiking Course.
It is a luxurious view with sea view.
There is a cafe “Ituki” on the trail.
Koutokuin which there is a great Buddha is 400 meters away.
As you get off the stairs you have a tunnel so please go down the slope without going to the tunnel side.
Kotokuin entrance fee is 200 yen.
It is a famous Kamakura Great Buddha.
You can enter the inside of the Great Buddha with an admission fee of 20 yen.
There are many restaurants and souvenir shops around Kotokuin.
Kamakura gelato is a popular gelato shop. Triple gelato is 520 yen.
Hase Temple is called the western paradore of Kamakura, a Hase-ji temple that is popular as a “flower temple” throughout the year.
Hydrangea was beginning to bloom at this time.
It is said that it will come true if you write a wish in an ema.
You can also enjoy a beautiful Japanese garden.
Kresannsui is a garden style that expresses the landscape of mountain water with stones, sand, etc. without using water such as pond and sewage.
Next to Hase Sta. There is “Haseka Shokudo”.
We will have beer at “Hase Shokudou”.
Raw Shirasu bowls will be served at soy sauce.
You are going to the sea in a few minutes from Hase Sta.
Let’s go to the seaside (to the right) and go to the hot spring if you have time!
The first floor of Inamuragasaki Onsen is a restaurant.
I will introduce the popular hiking course of Musashiitukaichi in Tokyo which can be reached from Shinjuku in 1 hour and a half.
The wonderful thing about this course is that most are gentle downhill.
If you climb up the steep slope to the mountain peak of Mt.Hinode, the remaining trails are the awsome downhill.
Moreover, the best hot springs are waiting at the end of the trail.
With about 3 hours and a harf on running, The majority of the course is gradual descent and can be said to beginners course.
In addition to a wonderful trail, you can taste traditional Japanese cuisine called “konnyaku” at “konnyaku shop Issui” !
Trail Map：
the map of Hinode mount | Clicking the image will display the enlarged size with a new tab.
※The mountain trail is not an accurate map.If you want to know the exact mountain trail, please refer to the map on the market.
Triple gelato is 520 yen.
