The biggest attraction of the hot spring complex “Sarubino” in Iga is its location surrounded by a quiet forest! I was soothed by the hot spring♪

The Oyamada region is located in the northeast of the Iga Basin and is surrounded by mountains.
There is a spot in this land where idyllic scenery spreads out, where cars keep coming in! The name of the facility is ``Iganokuni Oyamada Onsen Sarubino''.
There are many cars with out-of-prefecture license plates in the parking lot. We investigated what kind of hot springs there are at this facility, what other fun things to do, and how popular it is!

When you look around the entire facility from the parking lot, you will be amazed at the size of the site. There is not only a hot spring on the premises, but also an experience workshop and a campsite.

First, let's go to the "main building" where the hot spring is located!

The main building is a magnificent building. Oyamada Onsen is said to have more than 10 types of hot springs, all fed directly from the source.
I want to heal my body properly here.

[Bathing fee]
Adults (13-69 years old) 800 yen, Children (3-12 years old) 400 yen, Seniors (70 years old and older) 650 yen, Persons with disabilities (13 years old and older) 400 yen, Children with disabilities (3-12 years old) 200 yen , children under 3 years old are free. Face towel service. All amounts include tax.

There are two hot springs, ``Sasayuri-no-yu'' and ``Kesan-no-yu,'' and the genders change daily.
This is the large public bath of "Sasayuri no Yu". There is a mist sauna and a jet bath to get you excited!
The water is clear and colorless and gentle on the skin, and is said to be effective in relieving atopic dermatitis and neuralgia.

The open-air bath at Sasayuri no Yu is made of stone.

It's interesting that it's shaped like the fossilized crocodile and elephant footprints discovered in Oyamada!
Soaking in a hot spring while looking out at nature is so comfortable that you will forget the time. The open-air bath in winter is also great!

This is the open-air bath of Kesan-no-yu, which has the scent of wood.

The nature of Oyamada has been recreated, and the attention to detail delights hot spring guests.

After enjoying the hot springs, head to the Great Hall, which can also be used as a resting place.
There are several massage machines, so it's nice to be able to relax.

The shop is lined with Iga specialties such as `` Katayaki'' and ``yokitsuzuke.''

I wonder if there are any original products from "Sarubino"?

discovery! ! "Original hot spring cosmetics" that make use of the hot spring water of "Sarubino".

The lotion (left/2,200 yen/tax included) and emulsion (right/2,400 yen/tax included) both contain over 80% hot spring water.
I bought both types because they are said to be "original" and "limited"!

Now that we were able to purchase souvenirs, it was time to enjoy our meal.

Head to Restaurant Kureha, which specializes in dishes made with plenty of local ingredients.

I ordered the "Iga Beef Yakiniku Set Meal" (1,620 yen/tax included).
Iga beef is known as the ``phantom cow'' because its production volume is far lower than that of other branded beef, and it is rarely distributed outside of Iga.

Grilling it with butter brings out the rich richness of Iga beef!
It's melt-in-your-mouth soft and goes great with rice. It's so delicious that I finished it in no time! !

Next, let's take a look around the large grounds of "Sarbino"!

Kunugiya Sarubino Market is located on the road that connects the parking lot and the main building.
We sell locally grown seasonal vegetables and mountain delicacies.

I'm going to try "Wasabi Soft Serve" (250 yen/tax included), which is recommended by "Kunya"!
First time trying this flavor!
I was a bit scared at the first bite, but the spiciness of the wasabi that came later became addictive. It is said that many regular customers of Sarubino are fans of this soft serve ice cream.

As I climbed to the top, another building came into view. The signboard says ``Bread Factory'' and ``Konnyaku Factory.''

Let's enter!

Freshly baked bread made in the workshop is on sale. Wide variety and reasonable prices!
It's a little-known bakery that you'll want to tell bread lovers about.

We also sell ``konnyaku'' made from 100% raw sweet potatoes. It is available for both boiled dishes and sashimi, and is loved by locals as a delicious and healthy food.
It is also rare that it comes with yuzu. At the building next to this workshop, ``Woody Sarubino,'' you can experience ``handmade bread experience classes'' and ``konnyaku making experiences.''

[Handmade bread experience class]
<Price> 850 yen per person (tax included)
Time〉11:30〜14:30（Time: about 1 hour and 30 minutes, reservation required by the day before for more than 10 people)

[Konnyaku making experience]
<Price> 550 yen per person (tax included)
Time〉10:00〜14:00 (Time required: approx. 30〜40 min.; reservations required by the day before for groups of 10 or more)

If you go up a little higher, you'll find a "gateball field"!
It's so spacious! Elderly people seemed to enjoy using it.

When you go down a little from the "gateball field" at the highest point, you will see the "campsite".

The towering trees create a wonderful space.
During Golden Week and summer vacation, reservations fill up early.

There is also “Field Athletic”!

It is characterized by a lot of play equipment that uses ropes. Return to your childhood and challenge yourself again and again! It's great to have a facility like this, so kids can have fun too.

Mr. Tanaka, the staff member who gave us a tour. I could feel their love for their hometown in every word they spoke, and they had fun conveying the charm of Sarubino. thank you!

``Iganokuni Oyamada Onsen Sarubino'' is a place where you can enjoy a variety of things, including hot springs, restaurants, experience workshops, camping grounds, and athletics.

We were able to spend a fulfilling time while the time passed slowly!

[Iga Country Oyamada Onsen Sarubino]
Address 2953 Kamiawa IgaCity
Phone number 0595-48-0268 (Oyamada Onsen Welfare Public Corporation)
Official URL https://www.sarubino.com
Business hours 10:00-21:00 (Last bathing reception 20:30)
Closed on Tuesdays (open if Tuesday is a holiday)
Access: Approximately 25 minutes from Nakase IC on the Meihan National Highway
Parking available (345 spaces)

*The information posted is as of January 2019.