Hotel Bearmonte
Walk in and head hard right, strutting like you own the place and head straight for the onsen. Make sure you pick the right one because it may be different than the one you were in yesterday! This onsen runs a side swapping program where each day the men’s and women's sides switch. That way you get to experience the entirety of the colorless, odorless and smooth natural hot spring water. The water is straight from the mountain, no additives or re-circulation at all. You'll know this has to be true as you gaze up at Asahidake and see the steam vents from the active volcano shooting out plumes hundreds of meters into the air.
A very clean and well kept onsen. The wood and rock features add a nice ambiance to the tub areas. Although on the smaller side it doesn't seem to get that busy. The sauna however can, so be prepared to get cozy if more than 4 people are in it at once. One major drawback was the water temp. It could have been hotter. The outside pool being the hottest at a moderate 41.5 degrees C with the inside ones hovering around 40.5 degrees C. The cold plunge could also use a temperature drop. Some room for improvement but still overall worth a visit if you're in the area!
Overall Rating: 3/5
Authenticity Rating: 3/5
Amenities:
Blow dryers
Hair combs
Weight scales
Cotton swabs
Massage chairs
Baby crib
Restaurant
Water Temp: Normal
Vibe: Western
Rules: Very casual (not strict)
Price: Free for hotel guests
Features:
Men’s and women’s side (the men’s and women's swap sides daily)
Washing area
1 dry sauna
1 wet sauna
1 outdoor baths (rotenburo)
4 indoor communal baths
1 cold plunge
