On the way to Nagano, we stayed at Shima Onsen in Gunma

Prefecture to try out a Japanese hot spring.  We took a train           From Nakanojou, we took a bus to Shima Onsen,

from Tokyo to Nakanojou station - what a change from Tokyo!        where we stayed at Kashiwaya Ryokan.

The first thing you generally do at an onsen ryokan is change into yukata and slippers, enjoy some tea...

                         ...and then go for a bath!

To take an onsen bath, you first go to the changing area &               

get undressed, leaving your clothing and items in a basket:                  Then you scrub yourself clean here:

                And then you get into the bath!                                  

                                                                                                    The water is so hot that you don't stay in very long; we                    

                                                                                                    took six onsen baths in the course of a two-night stay

                                                                                                    (wouldn't you if the bath looked like this!?), but could

                                                                                                    only soak for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.

                                                                                               

                                                                                                The baths here were private family baths (most onsens are

                                                                                                actually public baths), and they were also open air baths. 

                                                                                                There were three types here at Kashiwaya: a tiled bath, a

                                                                                                stone bath, and a wooden cypress barrel bath.

The other highlight of staying at an onsen ryokan is the beautifully prepared Japanese dinner, served in your room:

In between our six baths, we did have a chance to walk around the onsen town and see the river and mountains: