【♨️Yamanashi】 Tokyo Too Hot? We Found a Secret Mountain Onsen 5°C Cooler | Akaishi Ryokan
This is Hansen from with relax, rejuvenate, and rediscover Japan one at a time. [Music] Today I’m taking you along to a secret summer getaway, Akashi Onen. We stayed here in early summer and let me tell you, this place is about 5° cooler than the city, perfect for escaping the heat. Tucked into the very mountains, named for their red stones, Akaiishi. This hidden gem echoes the spirit of ancient Japan, the Rioan is tucked away in Yamanashi’s Akashi mountains, also known as the Minami Aripsu or southern Alps. Just a 2 and 1 half hour drive from Tokyo, these redstone peaks stretch across a Yamanashi, Nagano, and Shizuoka, forming the heart of the wild and beautiful Minami Elves National Park. Ready to explore? Let’s go. As soon as we arrived, the friendly Okamisan gave us a warm and welcoming greeting and guided us straight to our room. The riokan room was spacious and beautifully traditional. One room with a low chabadai table plus a second room with our futons already set. Super cozy. It’s that authentic Japanese riyokan experience with proper washitsu. Traditional Japanese style roofs, but also no running water in the room and no private toilets. This place is perfect for travelers seeking cultural immersion. and that nostalgic atmosphere the past guests describe as charming and peaceful. We’re in early summer, meaning buzzing insects, but as the owner said, without insects, there would be no chirping birds. I noted there were virtually no mosquitoes at the time of our stay. So, in my mind, some flies and spider didn’t really bother much. It’s all a part of the ecosystem here, maintaining that authentic Shawa era feel that takes you back to Japan’s golden age of simplicity. [Music] Now, it’s time to explore the area. And first up is the onen Akashi is one of only threeto or hidden onen in all of Yamanashi. Their handmade rot or outdoor bath was actually built by hand by the owner himself. Nestled into the forests, it has a homemade and calm vibe to it where you can enjoy the nice view directly from your bat. This is Shinyoku or forest bathing at its absolute best where you are truly one with nature. What makes this special? We are in the heart of Akashi Mountains where red stones have been telling stories for centuries. The bath isn’t just warm, it’s visually unique. Aka’s ironrich water stains the stones a deep reddish color, giving the temporo its dramatic earthy white. This gumsuen or iron containing hotring isn’t just beautiful. Iron rich onen are thought to boost circulation. soothe joints and revitalize the skin. A real natural remedy nestled in the forest. It’s worth noting that the largest temporo operates as a co a mixed gender bath for most of the day. There is a designated time slot exclusively for women, but it’s fairly limited. So, be sure to check schedule upon arrival. For guests who prefer more privacy, there are also a smaller women only rot available at all times. The Rotero is not always in operation on weekdays, so I would recommend checking this in advance if you’re traveling outside the weekend. In the morning, we used the indoor onson too, switching bats by the hour between men’s and women’s, what we called janty. I loved alternating between hot and cold. It’s so therapeutic. Also, previous guests have mentioned having the onen completely to themselves during quiet seasons. You can truly feel the dedication the owner has poured into crafting these baths by hand. From the intricate stonework to the layout of both the indoor and outdoor baths, everything is thoughtfully designed and lovingly maintained. The indoor bath with its simple but striking wood and stone features offers a deeply nostalgic almost meditative atmosphere. Perfect for slow mornings or quiet evenings. [Music] Dinner arrived in room brought by the friendly okamisan. A hearty spread of homemade inakari. Mountain vegetables, river fish, that comforting countryside vibe. It might not be formal kiaki, but the warmth and care in each dish really shone through. For those looking for a familiar option, they also offer a barbecue plan. And you know what? Next time we’re planning to go for that. As night fell, we relaxed to the soothing sound of the river outside. No Wi-Fi, no distractions, just pure tranquility. Breakfast was served in the communal dining room. Again, simple yet heartfelt. Another lovingly prepared meal featuring a local mountain vegetables that set us up perfectly for the day. [Music] Right behind the Rioan is a hidden trail 10 minutes through forest to Shen Notaki waterfall. Our dog absolutely loved playing by the river and we’re not the only ones. Other guests have raved about these incredible views and peaceful trails. This mini hike was such a thrill and their rush you get from being in such untouched nature in the southern Alps. That’s exactly why I love Onen Edokan Adventures. You’re walking through the same forests that sheltered travelers for generations. [Music] After we checked out, we did some light fishing for Ivana chart trout at the Ryokans fishing dam. Super fun for the whole family and a traditional mountain activity. Then we visited Himurro Shrine nearby, a quiet but powerful place tucked into the forest. Here’s where it really gets cool. At the shrine, you can see the magnificent sight of ancient Sugi trees, including a huge one behind the main shrine, said to be over 1,200 years old. One fascinating fact is that this shrine actually provided the wood for the Rioan’s bath house. This connection between shrine and onen shows how deeply spiritual Japan’s hotring culture can be. If you’re up for more adventure, there’s also a beautiful hiking trail nearby, starting from Himuro Shrine, a 4-hour trip that takes you deeper into the southern Alps up Mount Kushikata, where you’ll have a fantastic view of Mount Fuji on a bright day. Personally, I hiked Mount Fuji twice. But I really, really prefer looking at Mount Fuji from afar rather than, you know, walking up this kind of boring hiking trail at the volcano. It’s just something different. Gazing upon this magnificent volcano from afar. Combining a stay at Akasha Onen with hiking is truly a great way to take in the mountain air and soak up the peaceful energy of the area before heading back to regular city life. And now I was so lucky to receive this sweet greeting from the owner himself on camera. Fore! Foreign! Foreign! She saidchech. Listening to him, you can truly feel his passion. He’s over 80 years old, still full of life and dedication and his love for the rian is unmistakable. He represents the very essence of omote nashi, Japanese hospitality that comes from the heart. He even told me that each year he tries to add a new handmade woodwork to the rians so that returning guests always have something new to discover. To close, I’ll leave you with a short excerpt from his original Inka son. A tribute to this hidden onen in the forest that he has nurtured for so many years. Akai onen felt like stepping back in time to Shawa era Japan. A hidden rustic retreat with character, nature, and heartfelt hospitality. Set in the legendary Akashi Mountains, where red stones have witnessed centuries of Japanese history, this isn’t luxury, it’s authenticity. Maybe not for everyone. If you hate bugs and crave modern amenities, this isn’t it. But for spirit first, culturally loving travelers seeking that genuine Japanese experience, it’s a dream come true. If you love this journey through Japan’s mountain onen culture, hit like and subscribe to Onson with and let me know in the comments if you’d visit this hidden gem in the Southern Alps. Until next time, relax, rejuvenate, and rediscover Japan one at the time.
Escaping Tokyo’s summer heat? Let me take you to one of Japan’s most hidden onsen ryokan: Akaishi Onsen Ryokan in Yamanashi! Nestled deep in the Southern Alps (Minami-Arupusu), this rustic retreat is about 5°C cooler than the city—perfect for a summer escape.
In this video, I’ll show you what it’s like to stay at this unique Showa-era mountain ryokan:
🌿 Hand-built outdoor rotenburo
🛏️ Traditional tatami room with square chabudai
🛁 Iron-rich, naturally colored onsen water
🍚 Homemade inaka ryōri meals
⛩ A hidden shrine with a 1,200-year-old cedar
🐟 Iwana fishing & forest trails to a secret waterfall
🥾 Optional 4-hour hike to Mt. Kushigata
Akaishi Onsen Ryokan may not be for everyone—there’s no Wi-Fi, the buildings are old, and you’ll find the occasional insect—but for those who love nature, silence, and heartfelt omotenashi, this place is unforgettable.
📍 Located in Yamanashi’s Akaishi Mountains, about a 2.5-hour drive from Tokyo
🎶 Stay until the end to hear a special enka song by the 80+ year old owner, who built the ryokan with his own hands and still greets guests personally!
💡 Perfect for:
– Off-the-beaten-path Japan travelers
– Fans of traditional onsen culture
– Summer mountain escapes from Tokyo
– Ryokan lovers looking for hidden gems
-Nature lovers, hikers, and digital detoxers
📌 Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction to the Channel
0:37 Our Secret Escape from Tokyo’s heat
1:25 Traditional Room Tour
2:40 Exploring the Secret Rotenburo
5:33 Dinner & Showa Vibes
6:06 Evening Atmosphere & Onsen Culture
6:16 Early Morning with Heartfelt Breakfast
6:30 Hiking to the Waterfall with Our Dog
7:10 Fishing & Visiting Himuro Shrine
8:58 Owner’s Message & Final Thoughts
10:30 Enka Song Ending 🎶
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👋 YOUR HOST (認識主持人):
I’m Hansen, a Scandinavian who has lived in Japan since 2010 and worked in the Japanese travel industry for 5 years. I created this channel, Onsen with Hansen (Ryokan Meguri), to share my passion for traditional ryokan, onsen and cultural experiences across Japan. 我是漢森，一位在日本生活超過15年的斯堪的納維亞人，並在日本旅遊業從事了5年的工作。我創立了這個頻道「日本旅館：漢森的秘境探索」（Onsen with Hansen），旨在分享我對傳統日式旅館和日本各地文化體驗的熱情。
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👍 喜歡影片的話，別忘了按讚、訂閱並開啟小鈴鐺！您的支持是我持續探索的最大動力。
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✨ Let’s relax, rejuvenate, and rediscover Japan, one ryokan at a time.
和我們一起放鬆身心，重新發現日本，一次一個日式旅館的故事！
✨ 温泉が大好きなハンセンでした。次回も一緒に湯っくりしましょう！
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✋ Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored, and there are no affiliate links. I feature only ryokans that I have personally stayed at and genuinely loved, so everything you see on this channel is 100% based on my own experiences and preferences.
🎥 Disclaimer 2: Please note that filming in onsen areas is generally restricted to respect the privacy of other guests. Always remember to check with the ryokan staff for permission before filming. Ensuring everyone’s comfort and privacy is a key part of the Japanese onsen experience!
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Perfection