Onsen that can be reached within an hour from central Tokyo Saitama Prefecture is surprisingly famous for its hot springs, and according to the prefecture’s website, there are more than 100 hot spring facilities in the prefecture. These are not just hot spring baths, but more than 100 facilities that use hot spring water. Hot springs may be surprisingly familiar to the residents of Saitama Prefecture. The Niiza Onsen in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture, has recently been transformed into an even more enjoyable facility by Aeon Fantasy, with buses available from JR Niiza Station and Hibarigaoka Station on the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line, and parking for approximately 200 vehicles, making it possible to get there by public transportation or car in about one hour from the city center. The hotel can be reached in about one hour from the city center by public transportation or by car. It is easy to get there on a whim.
A dedicated area for kids, too. But the sauna is not the only thing on sale here. As is typical of Aeon Fantasy, which operates facilities where children can play safely, the kids’ corner is quite well equipped. When you go down to the basement floor where the bathrooms are located, the first thing that catches your eye is the kids’ corner. It looks like a game arcade often found in ion malls, but from a kid’s perspective, all the game control panels are located in a low position. Moreover, the prices are 10 yen (some are 100 yen). The arcade is filled with crane games, gacha-gacha, and other things kids love to play. There is also a ball pool and a kid’s area in the back, where even toddlers can have fun playing store-bought games.
Wild black baths that retain their former appearance Now, it’s time to go to the bathrooms. The interior itself has not changed much, and although it is located underground, it is very bright due to the design that brings in natural light. The atmosphere will probably be different in the evening, but it is nice to feel the sun during the daytime, even without the outdoor bath. The exposed rocks are wild and give the impression of a natural hot spring. The hot water is as black as the rumors say. It is a “mall spring” that contains a lot of organic matter derived from ancient plants, pumped up from 1,500 meters underground, and is slightly alkaline. This spring is called “kuroyu,” or black hot water, and has a cola-like color and no particular smell. However, as soon as you submerge your body in the hot water, you will immediately notice how it feels on your skin. The water feels thick and smooth to the touch, as if a smooth film has been applied to the skin. This was a surprise. No wonder it is called the “hot water for beautiful skin. The sauna has also been renovated and is now equipped with a Finnish “wax-liqueur” system (a mechanism in which water is poured over burnt stones to generate steam and raise the room temperature). On days that fall on a 3 or 7, the staff will hold a sauna event, and an event to enjoy the aroma of Shizuoka’s famous tea leaves will also be held. The tea event is a unique event at OYUGIWA Hamamatsu, and was so popular at OYUGIWA Hamamatsu for its relaxation effects that it was introduced to Niiza.
© Source travel watch