in-all-places: Japan travel: Yarimikan, authentically Japanese

Yarimikan, Japan Alps

Yarimikan is a wonderfully traditional Japanese resort aka "onset ryokan", to be found in the remote valley of Okuhida, in the Japanese northern alps - on the river of Kamata-gawa. And in case you travel Japan by car, it's just off Route 475, only few kilometres before the most famous Shin-Hotaka Ropeway.

With two indoor baths, eight riverside rotemburo (some available for private use) and only 15 rooms, Yarimikan guests can bathe 24hrs a day (it's stunning by moonlight). Cuisine features authentically Japanese dishes: the famous Japanese Hida beef and of course, grilled freshwater fish.

We arrived here after an one night stop in Kamikochi, changing buses in Hirayu Onsen.The reception area is beautifully authentic, with the gurgle of drizzling water all over the place; yes, they piped in the spring water coming from the mountain into a wooden trough- cold, to keep the beer right. And, in a second trough, stone-made this time, the water from the hot spring was also piped in - and used to ecologically-cook some eggs!

The trip was a easy one and the scenery boast with views of beautiful, cloud-shrouded, green mountains; on a side note here, if you plan to travel Japan you cannot miss the mountains! Yarimikan is located right on the bank of the river, opposite side of the bus station (less then 10 min walking, take the small bridge over the river and turn right up the hill).
The tatami room was nice, and our meals - authentically Japanese, were very elaborate, delicious and served in a private room.The outdoor hot springs (onsen baths, mostly rotemburo and also konnyoku - mixed bathing) are all arranged at the base of the buildings, overlooking the river.Well, it is actually a lovely garden of stone, bushes and flowers, foot baths, huts and hot springs - gorgeous!