「Arima Kaido Onsen Suzuran-no-Yu (2nd Visit)」 - A Visit

Before I knew it, I was standing right in front of the entrance. Humans, as creatures, become dependent on whatever gives them supreme pleasure. Even when you think "this will be the last time," once you've tasted that bliss, you inevitably find yourself repeating the same behavior. Gambling and drugs are classic examples of this. But saunas and hot springs have the same addictive quality. Once you experience that perfect state of totonou, it's all you can think about. I work as a systems engineer on weekdays, but I'm constantly thinking about getting into saunas and cold plunges. And before I know it, I'm standing in front of a hot spring facility. Arima Kaido Onsen Suzuran-no-Yu is one of those addictive places. During my previous visit, I was amazed by the high quality of the hot springs, sauna, and cold plunge, plus the worldview where you can become one with nature in a garden created within the forest. Many facilities place plants and trees indoors to "stage" nature, but here you can feel real nature while completely naked. Feel the wind, listen to the sounds of insects and flowing spring water, slowly inhale the scents of earth and wood. Close your eyes and sharpen all five senses. Then, the fatigue and distracting thoughts accumulated from daily life disappear one by one. This is a place where you can experience such sensations. Thinking about the previous pleasure almost makes me grin, but one must always maintain cool and gentlemanly composure. You must never show weakness. The only time it's okay to let your guard down is when you're naked and entering the hot springs. I complete the reception with a composed face and enter the large bath. First, I cleanse myself with the famous Miyamizu water. Even the shower water is natural spring water. The water from the showerhead is gentle and soft. Just cleansing myself fills me with happiness. After washing, I first enter the indoor natural hot spring bath. Why do Arima-style hot springs feel so incredible? The moment I sink into the water, all tension leaves my body and I feel weightless. The pleasure makes me grin. A man around 40 who entered after me soaks in the hot spring for a while, then says to himself, "Ahh, this is the best!" I feel exactly the same way. It's so amazing you want to voice it. As my body warms up, I head to the Finnish sauna in the outdoor area. There's vihta at the sauna entrance. I lightly tap my body, savor the aroma, and enter the sauna. The sauna allows self-löyly with high humidity for great sweating. And when you exit the sauna, an exquisite cold plunge awaits - a blend of famous Miyamizu water and natural spring water. It's quite spacious, so there's no waiting. I rinse off the sweat and enter the famous water. What incredible softness. It feels like being embraced. This is something you definitely can't experience with tap water cold plunges. The temperature is also 17°C, perfect for relaxed soaking. You could stay in forever. Such a cold plunge is truly rare. Plus, being blended with spring water, it doesn't just cool your body - you also absorb hot spring minerals through your skin. The double punch of famous water minerals and spring water is formidable. But it doesn't end there. Now begins the ultimate outdoor air bathing where you can become one with nature. Several reclining chairs are placed right outside the outdoor cold plunge. I was lucky to get a seat. I lie down and quietly close my eyes. Being evening time, I can clearly hear the chirping of bell crickets. The wind from Rokko touches my skin, and when I focus on my sense of smell, the forest fragrance drifts by. I breathe in the scents of wood and earth deeply. I spent about 10 minutes achieving totonou in the reclining chair. The satisfaction from the first set was so intense that I finished with just 2 sets that day. When I enter saunas, I don't have fixed rules. I basically aim for 3 sets, but sometimes it's 2 sets, sometimes 5 sets. I try not to go against my body's condition and mood at the time. Now, after this supreme totonou, let's enjoy some delicious food.

The restaurant choice was already decided. I drive a few minutes from Arima Kaido Onsen Suzuran-no-Yu toward Minotani JCT. Soon, the restaurant sign comes into view. Today I'm dining again at Aobazono, a teishoku restaurant. When I enter, it's quite lively. Regular customers are drinking while watching a live Hanshin Tigers broadcast. I sit at the table across from them and order the ginger pork set meal. Personally, I love this place. When I first entered this restaurant last time, the owner welcomed me warmly and the food was delicious. It's understandable why there are so many regulars. Both the food and atmosphere make you want to "come back again." After a while, the ginger pork set meal arrives. Supreme hot springs & sauna plus delicious food - I think this combination rivals drugs in its addictive power. The moment I take the first bite, I feel goosebumps all over my body. It's that delicious. As always, I feel grateful. When you enter saunas and cold plunges, it feels great at the time, but the happiness continues afterward too. I felt grateful for being able to enter saunas, eat delicious food, and discover wonderful restaurants - for all of it. After finishing the set meal and paying the bill, I leave the restaurant saying "It was delicious. I'll come again." I said the same words last time too. I'll probably need to visit several more times before the staff remembers me, but that time will come again soon. Thinking such thoughts, I drive toward Shikoku where my home is. This sauna trip is now complete.