Today, Brompton and I went to Okushiobara Motoyu Onsen in Tochigi prefecture for a day trip through blizzard. It was not a good condition for a bike ride but I wanted to pioneer a new dimension of Brompton use.
[data]
course: Motoyu entrance bus stop→ Motoyu Onsen OOIDE-KAN
distance: 4.5 km
maximum difference of elevation: 240m
average % of slope: total 3.9% ascend 6.7% descend 6.2%
gained elevation: ascend 251m descend 37m
Okushiobara Motoyu Onsen is a part of famous Shiobara Onsen. Shiobara Onsen is located one hundred fifty kilo meters north of Tokyo and one of the most known hot spring towns in Kanto Region of Japan. Motoyu is said to be the origin of Shiobara Onsen starting 1200 years ago. When you go toward the end of Shiobara Valley, you can reach Motoyu Onsen. Although Shiobara Onsen is fairly developed with a large number of hotels and lodges, there are only three Onsen lodges in Okushiobara Motoyu Onsen where is surrounded by deep forest and mountains which give it a decidedly secluded environs.
I want to use a pair of Schwalbe Winter 16 inch stud tyres for Brompton. Motoyu area has enormous snow falls during winter and the route to Motoyu has steep slopes. I suppose that the road condition is worst for a bike ride, thus appropriate to know the performance of these new stud tyres.
OOIDE-KAN, today's destination, is one of three secluded hot spring lodges in Motoyu Onsen and very popular amongst Onsen lovers.
There are two transportation options to Motoyu Onsen. The regular way is to go to Nasu-Shiobara Station by Shinkansen and to Shiobara Onsen by bus. Today I took another way by Tobu Railway's rapid train, leaving Asakusa early in the morning, arriving at Kamimiyori Shiobara Onsenguchi Station via Yagan Railway. You can take a bus to Motoyu Onsen Iriguchi.
Weather report told cloudy today but it snows.
Getting off the bus at Motoyu Onsenguchi, I started my Brompton to the destination.
Motoyu Onsen is 4.5km away from here with about 240m hill climbing of completely snow-covered road. I expect that Schwalbe Winter will enable Brompton to get to the hot spring as usual.
The blizzard is getting more firece.
There is a warning sign telling that any vehicle without Non-skid devices cannot go beyond. I have non-skid devices. No problem.
Finally Brompton and I are arriving at OOIDE-KAN.
Let's go to Suminoyu, famous for the only black water hot spring in Japan.
You see the differences in color. One is black and another is brownish green. Wonderful!
Next, shall I try an open-air bath with today's wonderful snow view.
Wow, it's excellent!
I enjoyed a completely secluded hot spring in the snow mountain.
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