長野トップ100温泉: 赤褐色の天狗温泉 Nagano Top 100 Onsens: Reddish-Brown Tengu Onsen

July 21, 2013: 長野に来る理由 Reasons to Come to Nagano

浅間山の登山口に天狗温泉「浅間山荘」がある。お湯は鉄鉱成分の濃さで有名。

先日の浅間山の登山の後に立ち寄りで入らせて頂きました。私が今まで体験した温泉の中で天狗温泉のお湯が赤褐色していて、吃驚しました。尚且つ、お湯が濁っていて透明度はほぼゼロで更に吃驚しました。手先とかをちょっとでも入れてみたら、見えなくなるぐらい。とっても魅力的なお湯。

以前に北信の鉄分の多い温泉に行った際、「白い手ぬぐいをお湯に入れたら真赤になる」と言われた。やってみたが、あまり。無理にして湯口に擦ったら、少し赤くなった程度だった。

天狗温泉のお湯の鉄鉱成分はとにかく本当に濃い、印象深い温泉です。源泉はぬるい為に沸かされています。

「浅間山荘」と言えば大半皆さんは1972年の人質事件を思い出すかもしれないが、これだけ独特のお湯のある温泉はその事件に蒔けたらもったいない。段々と進化してきている天狗温泉は7月20に展望風呂もオープン。

At the main trailhead for climbing Mt. Asama is Tengu Onsen "Asama Sanso" mountain lodge, famous for its onsen water high in iron content.

After our recent climb of Mt. Asama, we stopped at Tengu Onsen for a soak in their onsen bath. Not only was the color of the mineral water a deep orangish-brown from the iron, but its translucency level was practically zero. You dip your fingers in, and they seem to disappear. This is some very serious onsen water.

Now, I had been in onsen baths with high iron content before. One in Northern Nagano bragged that your white hand towel would come out orange. I tried, and it didn't. With Tengu Onsen's mineral water though, my hand towel instantly turned orange when dipped in the bath. The only drawback I could see was the onsen source's temperature is relatively low so it has to be heated for the baths.

The facilities are a bit, err, rustic and the window doesn't offer much of a view, but Tengu Onsen's mineral water is something that has to be experienced to be believed. And on July 20th, 2013, they open their new Tenbo (view) bath which should offer much improved facilities.

Asama Sanso is unfortunately best known for a hostage incident that took place there in 1972. But it's unique onsen waters are sure to please guests today.

天狗温泉浅間山荘 Tengu Onsen Asama Sanso






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