On a sauna trip, unexpected things always happen because of an uncontrollable impulse. Before the trip I hadn't planned to visit this place, yet somehow I found myself inside. Even when you try to stick to the plan, your body reacts on its own. That day, Yunohana Public Bath Zuisho Matsumoto-kan was exactly that kind of surprise. After a morning sauna and breakfast at Shinshu Kenko Land, I headed from Murai Station to Matsumoto Station. It was the last day of the trip. My main goal for the day was Ringo no Yuya Obu~. I had intended to stop by Zuisho Matsumoto-kan only to check the atmosphere before heading there. I had heard that natural groundwater from the Northern Alps is continuously poured into a huge cold plunge bath. It had caught my attention, but I planned only to look at the exterior. When I arrived at Matsumoto Station, the Northern Alps were right there, looming impressively. The famous Kamikochi is further along that way. Looking out at the majestic mountains, I started walking toward Zuisho Matsumoto-kan. When I reached the front of the facility, its exterior, resembling a hot-spring inn with the Northern Alps behind it, immediately caught my eye. At that moment, before I even thought about it, I stepped through the noren. My body moved on its own. Behind that curtain was a cold plunge bath fed by groundwater from the Northern Alps. Knowing that, I couldn't just walk past. This is the thrill of a sauna trip. An unplanned encounter can sometimes become the best experience. It was morning, but the place was fairly busy. Apparently they open from 6 a.m. on holidays, so maybe this area has a lot of morning bath lovers. I picked up a rental towel at reception and headed to the large bath. The interior felt very clean. The bathing area was larger than I had imagined. Indoors there was a high-temperature sauna, the famous continuously flowing groundwater cold plunge bath, a rock bath filled with transported water from Kamiyamada Onsen, and jet baths. In the open-air area there were pot baths, relaxation seats, another cold plunge bath fed by groundwater, and a low-temperature sauna. A well-rounded setup. I washed up and warmed my body in the indoor Kamiyamada Onsen. The comfort of natural hot spring water spread through my body. From there I went to the high-temperature sauna. It was a gas-fired far-infrared sauna and the TV was showing the national spring high school baseball tournament. While glancing at the players' heated games, I steadily warmed up. When I reached my limit, I plunged into the cold plunge bath. To be honest, I didn't expect the water to feel this good. It was large. It was deep, 110 cm deep. Northern Alps groundwater was being poured in with tremendous force. There was a sign saying full submersion is allowed. I dived in without hesitation. From the top of my head to my toes I was wrapped in natural water from the Northern Alps. The moment I surfaced, a rush of exhilaration ran through me. Size, depth, water quality, temperature — everything was at a top level in Japan. If this public bath were near my home, I'd go every morning and night. I genuinely envy Matsumoto residents. If you love cold plunge baths, trust me and try it once. After leaving the cold plunge bath I moved to the open-air area and let my whole body rest in a reclining chair. The feeling of refreshment seemed to go on forever. There are saunas and public baths where I live, but I rarely encounter water this pleasurable. I seriously considered moving to Matsumoto. Second set. I wanted to do about ten sets, but the next destination was waiting. This would be the last set. Because I had so few sets, I decided not to waste a single drop and to savor the water. I entered the high-temperature sauna again. Even though it was gas-fired far-infrared, the air wasn't dry at all. The humidity was high, there was no sharp sting on the skin, and I could sweat comfortably. Someone must be deliberately managing that humidity. I heated my body to the limit and returned to the cold plunge bath. I submerged myself once more in the Northern Alps' finest water, fully submerging my head as well. I floated there in the water. It felt unbelievably good. I had come intending only to check the place's atmosphere and pass by, yet this experience awaited me. I'm really glad I came. Two sets and I left decisively. I was reluctant, truly reluctant. I would have liked to do five more sets. But if I dawdled here I wouldn't make it to the next facility. On a sauna trip, you need that kind of decisiveness too.

Before leaving the bathing area I looked at the cold plunge bath once more. Northern Alps groundwater was being poured in with incredible force. Local regulars, who looked like older men, were soaking in the cold plunge bath with utterly content faces. Do they get to bathe in this water every day? I'm genuinely envious. After changing, I called a taxi. There was a bit of time until arrival. I decided to wait in the rest area while drinking a milk. I used the time to recharge my energy for the final destination. The next destination is Ringo no Yuya Obu~. The top-level natural water of Nagano Prefecture awaits me.