2024.09.16This year, I finally celebrated my 10th solo trip to Michinoku, and the setting was Naruko Hot Spring Village, which grows deeper each time I visit.This is the third and fourth time I have visited this hot spring area, which is made up of five hot springs: Naruko Onsen, Higashi Naruko Onsen, Onikobe Onsen, Nakayamadaira Onsen, and Kawatari Onsen.Following Naruko and Kawatari, we visited Higashi Naruko.From the concept of staying overnight, solo travelers are gradually becoming attracted to the appeal of hot springs, and the hot springs have clearly become the main focus, rather than the expectations of large feasts and luxurious rooms.The aforementioned ``staying overnight without meals'' was set in Yamagata Hijiori, and there is no doubt that it served as a wake-up call.This was my first visit to Higashi Naruko, and in addition to the reputation of the hot springs, the deciding factor was the length of my stay.I saw the 12:00 check-in as a huge advantage over the regular 15:00 check-in and decided on it immediately.The check-out time is 11:00, so you can stay for 23 hours even if it's just for one night.The stage is now set to face the hot springs.What's even better is that there are 5 baths, including one that takes turns, and you can enjoy 3 different types of spring water, so it's a must-see for hot spring lovers.The large bath, medium bath, and open-air bath are called baking soda springs (hydrogen carbonate springs), and they seem to be a common source in the area.During the day, the large public bath is reserved for men, while the medium and open-air baths are reserved for women, and this seems to change at night, but there is no clear indication of the opening hours, so you will need to look at the signs in front of the changing rooms.The most distinctive feature of this inn is the mixed bathing carbonated spring (carbon dioxide spring) and iron mineral spring (iron-containing spring).There are entrances to each from the changing room, but you can also pass through from both sides of the wall that partitions the bathtub, making it easy to come and go.It is best to consider the nighttime reviews of ``dim'' and ``creepy'' as ``taste,'' including the bathroom, which cannot be described as clean.You should switch to Moody.If you are forced to take a mixed bath, there will be less resistance than glaring lights.The second night was just in time for the ``Harvest Moon'', which had been obscured by thick clouds until now, but was finally exposed while I was taking a bath in the open-air bath just before 24:00.The highest grade of ``Moon Viewing Bath'', ``Mid-Autumn Moon Viewing Bath'', is now completed.I lost myself in admiration and suddenly prepared my camera, but it was already too late...all I could capture was a video/image of the harvest moon wrapped in a veil...However, he says that it remains in his heart, and he is grateful that he was able to spend a different time with him.On the first day, we decided to eat at Hachicho, a famous yakiniku restaurant in Higashi Naruko, which is about a 10-minute walk away, and on the second day, we decided to have our own meals in the room, so we were on standby before we checked in.If you plan your meals and drinks, you can enjoy your time without any inconvenience.During your free time, you can play with the cats or take a walk around the building or the neighborhood.I looked for the ``private bath'' which cannot be used when using the hot spring bath room, but I couldn't find it just to take a look, so I managed to find it quietly at the end of the labyrinth-like building, relying on my senses.I was concerned about the smell, which was a little different from that of hot water, so I would refrain from using it even if I could.Why is the overall rating 5 stars when the rooms, service, and location are 4 stars?This is because the hot springs are rated 5 stars.