Mushi-Uta no Yu's facade, with the snow-covered northern Alps in the distance
まだまだ、長野のトップ100温泉の研究（？）が続いています。まだまだいい温泉が沢山ある！
今回は長野市松代地区の皆神山の麓にある虫歌の湯に入ってみた。松代の方に「露天風呂からの眺めが綺麗」との事で、勧められた。
温泉評論家っぽい言い方からも知れないけど、虫歌の湯は長野のトップ100温泉に入るかどうか、微妙だと思いました。
大露天風呂の岩と庭が立派だが、側に走る県道35号を少し上れば岩と石がもっともっと立派の十福の湯がある。
奥の露天風呂からの眺めが長野市と善光寺平が見えて良かったけど、塀が邪魔で立たないと見れない。松代から車で約10分走れば、大室温泉「まきばの湯」はもっと本格的な眺めがある。
そして、私が一番気になっている湯質についえ、虫歌の湯のお湯はあまり特徴的じゃない。同じ松代の松代荘と一陽館の鉄分が高いお湯、湯質こそ本格的。
まあ、虫歌の湯の建物と大露天風呂の上の屋根に使っている柱が太くて印象的ですが、全体な事を考えれば更に良い立ち寄り湯た近くにあります。
これはあくまで私の意見です。虫歌の湯のは虫歌の湯の湯でファンが少なくはないどうぞ、入ってみてください。
My research (if you can call it that) of Nagano's Top 100 Onsens continues. This time it was Mushi-Uta no Yu in Nagano City's Matsushiro district. Located at the foot of Mt. Minakami (rumored to be a pyramid visited by UFO's), Mushi-Uta no Yu overlooks Nagano City and the Zenkoji Plain. Several acquaintances who live in Matsushiro recommended Mushi-Uta for its view.
Mushi-Uta literally means "the insects' song". It refers to Matsushiro's roots as a silkworm growing area. Children used to hear the cries of the silkworms struggling to break out of their cocoons and had a statue dedicated to Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy) built nearby.
Not that I'm an onsen critic, but here is my arguably critical take on Mushi-Uta no Yu:
The large outdoor bath is massive, and features huge boulders and a garden. However, just 10 minutes further up Route 35 is Juppuku no Yu whose outdoor bath features even more impressive boulders and a much more complete garden.
The highly-touted view from the outdoor bath overlooking the valley turned out to be disappointing, as you had to stand up to enjoy it due to fence blocking the view. About 10 minutes north of Matsushiro is Omuro Onsen's Makiba no Yu has a much more panaromic view of the valley.
For me, the most important part is the quality of the onsen water, and that was the biggest disappointment -- Mushi-Uta's mineral content is rather bland and the baths are recirculated. Which is a shame, because also in Matsushiro is Matsushiro-sou and nearby Ichiyoukan whose iron-rich mineral water makes for an unforgettable onsen experience.
One thing Mushi-Uta has going for it is the impressive timbers used in the construction of the bathhouse and the shelter over the main outdoor bath. Overall though, with so many better onsen options in the area, Mushi-Uta needs more than just cool columns.
But don't take my word for it. Mushi-Uta has lots of fans -- go check it out yourself.
Outdoor bath featuring Mushi-Uta's trademark (?) impressive timbers
The view -- somewhere past the fence.
