Perfect for Couples! Take a Short Trip and Enjoy the View at Katayamazu Hot Springs

[Day 2]

Unlike yesterday, we decided to have a breakfast buffet at Saiun on the third floor.

Eating our meals in such a large tatami room was an experience neither of us could forget or replace!

I recommend trying the hot spring tofu in the picture! It’s a dish that you can only find at Katayamazu Hot Springs.

We didn’t want to waste time, so as son as we finished eating, we bicycled over to our next sightseeing spot – Aizen-ji Temple.

Aizen-ji Temple

As Katayamazu Hot Springs’ guardian temple, it has been looking after this quiet hot spring village for many years.

All around the temple, you can find artistically-designed structures based on traditional crafts and art.

Made to bless love and marriages, these Wholehearted Ema (wooden plaques that you write wishes on) are the only slot-in ema that you’ll find in Japan. You can slot a wooden heart into them!

Not only do they help in love, but they’re also used to help improve familial relationships and pass exams.

Write your wishes on the ema, bring it with you to the prayer room, and pray with all of your heart to Ragaraja (Aizen-Myo-o)!

You can also hold traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies here, too.

Each Wholehearted Ema contains hopes and dreams for the future♡

Seeing all of the ema in one place is so fascinating that it may just become a popular check-in spot on Instagram in the near future!

Hanayakata

Next to Aizen-ji Temple is a rouge-colored building with a latticed framework called “Hanayakata”.

Formerly a practice hall for geigi (another term for geisha) learning how to play the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese lute) and dance, the first floor of this building now holds workshops that teach people how to make tofu using hot spring water, as well as dye handkerchiefs using hot spring water and mud from Lake Shibayama.

The water we’re pouring into the pot in the above picture is actually hot spring water from Katayamazu Hot Springs!

We didn’t think that adding the clear and tasteless water would result in such tasty hot spring tofu!

When making the tofu, we had to stir frequently to make sure that the soymilk wouldn’t burn.

The finished tofu can be eaten just as it is or eaten together with salt or soy sauce.

When I said that “homemade tofu is the most delicious tofu in the world,” my boyfriend laughed and rebutted with, “Are you sure that’s not because you’re hungry?”

Ai Ai Plaza & Foot Bath at Sunahase Park

While riding our bicycles, we discovered that there was a footbath in the area, so we decided to warm up our bodies by testing it out.

The footbath at Sunahase Park (Sunahase Koen) was housed in a square gazebo with a lawn. It was a beautiful place to take a breather at.

It uses water from Katayamazu Hot Springs’ source that’s slightly hotter than normal footbaths, making it particularly pleasant on cold days.

Afterwards, we rode our bicycles to Kabocha Mura to have lunch.

Though it may be small, it has a variety of eateries – a cafe, cake shop, izakaya (Japanese pub), and Italian restaurant!

The place we went to – Ichigo Ichie – actually closes at 12:00 am! So, even if you want to dine late, there are options available.

MACHI café

When I begged for something sweet, my boyfriend took me to this place that he knew had a fantastic view – MACHI café. We ate a healthy dessert called “Kaga Parfait” there!

This cafe with an amazing view of the majestic Mt. Haku and Lake Shibayama is on the second floor of Katayamazu Hot Springs’ public bathhouse facility, City Bathhouse. It’s a glass-walled building with a modern design.

Made using vegetables and fruits, the highly nutritious Kaga Parfait is something that everyone needs to try when visiting Katayamazu Hot Springs! It looked gorgeous, went down easily, and was a refreshing change from all the luxurious food we had eaten in the past two days.

City Bathhouse

This is a public hot spring facility that has two baths: “Lagoon Hot Springs”, which will let you gaze at the surface of Lake Shibayama, and “Forest Hot Springs” that’s surrounded by greenery.

Men and women take turns each day to enter these baths. It’s a place that many locals visit to relax at!

Cycling Road at Lake Shibayama

If you have some spare time, borrow a bicycle and ride around Lake Shibayama!

You’ll pass by a variety of facilities and spots while on this 7 km cycling path (around 40 minutes). Feel free to pause and explore any of these spots.

Should luck play in your favor, you may be able to gaze upon hibernating Tundra swans in the winter. In the spring, you can bask in the beauty of fully-bloomed cherry blossoms around the lakeshore. Make some wonderful memories with your loved one here!

*Inquiries: Please ask the reception staff at your hotel or inn.

Tour Around in a Relaxing Pleasure Boat

If you board a pleasure cruise – available between April 1 – late October (closed in bad weather and maximum 14 people per boat) – you’ll be able to view Katayamazu’s historical structures and nature from a distance.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to ride one of them when we were there… but that just gives us an excuse to visit again!

From May - October, they have night cruises, and every August, you can even view a firework show!

*Caution: Only those staying in local lodgings overnight can join the night cruises. Advance reservation needed.

 “Breaks are needed to travel further ahead” is a phrase that’s never felt truer. By taking a short vacation, your goals and dreams in life might become crystal clear!

Life’s all about spending more on good things and experiences, so why not visit this quiet and beautiful city to do so?