榊原温泉 神湯館(Shintoukan)

Amazing authentic Japanese Onsen experience at one of the most famous hot springs, Sasakibara. Those on their way to Ise Jingu the most revered Shinto Shrine in Japan would cleans and bath themselves in the mineral rich magical waters that would leave your skin soft and moisturized. What sets this place apart from others: Food was Amazing and beautiful. Upon arrival, common to an onsen, we were served oshibori and tea. There was a beautiful traditional garden with a koi pond. We were then escorted to our room. As a multigeneration family the elders stayed in a room with the beds and the younger family members stayed in the traditional tatami rooms. The spacious room has a lovely sitting area in a glassed alcove overlooking the river and the nearby hill side. We enjoyed some tea and the Japanese treats for a snack. For dinner we had traditional meticulously prepared Kaiseki meal. Everything was so fresh and flavorful. The for the first night stand outs included the fried Ayou-sweet river fish and a small personal nabe for the first night. For our second night we had melt in your mouth Matsusaka Shabu Shabu. We had so much nabe vegetables we had to sadly leave behind so we could still have the tempura that came at the end. Both nights the meal was concluded with seasoned rice, pickles and miso soup. The onsen water was notable for its near slick like feel that left your skin soft without lotion at the end. What makes this place unique is their recent upgrade to have a full E sport gaming stadium and driving car simulators that professional race car drivers use to train. Available for a fee, my teenage son had a ball rally racing and pretending to be a F1 driver. As with most onsens, there is not any extra entertainment after dinner so the availability of the state of the art car simulator was a huge attraction for us and allowed a seamless vacation with age span of 93-18. The front desk will provide you will a nice walking paths of the surrounding areas including a hike up 300 steps to a small shrine a top hill. There is also a quaint shrine next to the inn that is support to promote marriage. Once cleansed with the famous Sasakibara waters we took a day trip to Ise Jingu . It is a little hard to get to place but well worth the effort and we can not wait to go back to enjoy the healing waters and wonderful meal.