Nov 19, 2014 - 1 min read

Shoho-en at Shin-Hirayu Onsen

Rural hot spring hotel with genuine irori fireplace

By Masayoshi Hirose

Community writer

Translated by Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Entrance of Shoho-en, a rural Japanese hot spring hotel. It looks simple and bare.

In the hotel garden, there are only a few small statues. The simplicity of it makes you feel like you are living in a mountain village.

I took a bath before dinner. This is the corridor leading to the outdoor bath. There was no bathtub in my room.

The hotel is decorated in Mingei (Japanese folk-art) style

Looking out at the garden through three big windows. I felt like as though I was looking at three paintings.

My room consisted of one tatami-mat room, and another one which had an irori fireplace on the wooden floor

This hanging scroll in an alcove says, 'Be myself, I am what I am'. I felt I could just be myself in this room.

This is not a fake irori fireplace you often find in these places, but the genuine one! Charcoal glows in the center and warms you body and soul.

On October 10th in 2010, I visited Mount Shin-Hotaka in Okuhida villages to see the gorgeous autumn leaves there, and stayed in Shin-Hirayu Onsen. I wanted to stay closer to the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway station, but hotels there were already fully booked. Instead, I made a reservation at a Japanese house-style rural inn with a 'free-flowing hot spring' and an irori fireplace in the room.

Due to unexpected rain, I couldn't climb Mount Shin-Hotaka after all. Instead I stayed and relaxed in this 120 year old rural inn. The hotel staff here welcome you with 'moderate' service. They won't overwhelm you with excessive hospitality, which can be annoying. So, I could truly relax, and spend a wonderful time here!

Travel to Okuhida 1. Shoho-en at Shin-Hirayu Onsen 2. Feast of Hida