GANIBA

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Ganiba gets its name from the many crabs (in Japanese, kani or gani) that can be seen in the river next to the open-air baths.
The ryokan, which has been open since 1846, has two kinds of spring sources.
But before you walk into Ganiba Onsen, the mini-torii shrine at the entrance of the beautifully designed space may first catch your eye.
The shrine has long been a place where local people go to pray and thank the gods for the natural gifts from the surrounding land: food, wood, and bountiful hot spring water.
Balconies made of wooden logs and carefully crafted stone walls decorate the outside of the ryokan, making for a naturally charming aesthetic.
If you want to truly experience any of the four seasons while soaking in the onsen, Ganiba is the perfect location, as the outdoor bath is situated at the end of a 50-meter walkway.
On the way to this open-air bath you can experience a picturesque scene as you walk under the tree-branch canopies that extend above the pathway.
Hear the birds chirping or the sound of the small mountain stream running under the bridge that connects the walkway to the entrance during the spring, or trek through the snow in boots provided by the ryokan during the winter months, to make you feel like you’ve truly earned your bath.
Multi-course, traditional Japanese foods consisting of local and seasonal ingredients are served for breakfast and dinner at the ryokan.

Learn more about this Ryokan