[Kanie] Searching for a Good Onsen in Aichi? "Owari Onsen Tokai Center"

​Owari Onsen Tokai Center is the only place in Aichi Prefecture that has been selected as one of the 100 best hot springs in Japan. You can experience the softness of the hot water, which is free-flowing from the source, without adding any water, heating, or circulation. Renewal completed in October 2020. It has been reborn into a cleaner and more comfortable space while retaining a somewhat retro atmosphere.

*Information at the time of coverage in September 2022

Full of rustic charm filled with 100% hot spring water
"Large garden bath"

"Owari Onsen Tokai Center" is located about 7 minutes by taxi from Kintetsu Kanie Station. In addition, let's make effective use of the free community bus "Kaniecho Osanpo Bus". There is also a free parking lot that can park 250 cars, and access by car is also good.

It is an architectural structure that straddles the Saya River, and below it is a fishing spot. The scenery looks quite unique.

As soon as I went inside, I found that the carpet and walls were renewed due to the renewal, giving it a modern atmosphere. Nonetheless, there are some vestiges of the store before the renovation, such as selling women's clothing. You will be surprised at the stuffed giant panda that suddenly appears!

When you enter the bathhouse, you will be surprised by the scale of the "large garden bath". The rugged rocks are piled up, creating a wild atmosphere.

Owari Onsen was selected as one of the 100 best hot springs in Japan by the NPO "Health and Hot Springs Forum" from the perspective of being a hot spring recommended by hot spring doctors.

It is a simple hot spring (hypotonic, weakly alkaline, high/low hot spring), characterized by its soft spring quality with little stimulation.

Combining a high temperature hot spring of about 50°C and a low temperature of about 28°C makes it just right. They use 100% hot spring water without adding any water.

Although it is a huge bathtub, the temperature is slightly different depending on the position, and there are hot areas and lukewarm areas. It seems that each of the regulars knows their own favorite area.

The "Large Garden Bath, women's bath" has a slightly different atmosphere from the men's bath. The huge waterfall, which was visible over the fence from the men's bath, can be seen directly, giving it a powerful feeling.

After steaming in the sauna, go to the water bath with 100% low-temperature hot springs

Well, let's check out the sauna room too. Originally it was the size for 4 to 5 people, but after renovation it became a full-fledged sauna room that can accommodate about 15 people.

The men's sauna is set at approximately 100°C, and the women's sauna at approximately 90°C. It feels hotter than the temperature, probably because the heat is reflected from the stone.

After being thoroughly steamed, the long-awaited water bath! However, the temperature is about 28 degrees Celsius, which is high for some reason. There is actually a reason for this.

As mentioned above, the combination of high and low hot springs is just the right amount of water, but this water bath is filled with low-temperature hot springs. Strictly speaking, it is not a "water bath" but a "low temperature hot spring bath".

When we asked the manager, Yoshihiro Kurachi, about the baths, he said, "We receive requests to make them colder, but we did not want to change our commitment to 100% free-flowing spring water, with no added water, heating, or circulation, including the water baths."

This water bath is the epitome of the Owari Onsen Tokai Center's identity and passion for hot water!

After discovering such a fact, I re-entered the water bath at about 28°C while feeling grateful. Of course, it doesn't feel as cool as a 10°C water bath, but it cools down gradually. It may be recommended for sauna beginners who are still reluctant to take a cold bath.
Above all, it's wonderful that you can stay in it all the time. It is impossible to soak in a hot spring with a temperature close to 40℃ for a long time, but you can soak in it for a long time at this temperature.

After getting out of the water bath, it's time to relax in the open-air bath. Benches are provided in the men's bath. Surrounded by rivers and there are no large buildings nearby, a pleasant breeze blows in. Feels good!

"Relaxing chair" was prepared in the open-air bath of the women's bath as well!

The renovation has also improved places that are difficult to notice. The women's lockers are intentionally arranged in an intricate manner so that there is a "place to hide".

And set up a large powder corner on one side. It seems that it is easy to use even with children.

On the other hand, the men's lockers are arranged with "space" in mind so that it is easy to put on and take off clothes. For me, who often visits hot bath facilities with a lot of luggage, I am very grateful that there is a large space.

I could feel the hospitality of Owari Onsen Tokai Center in such small considerations.

Limited sales of local miso!
After taking a bath full of fun

The lobby sells a lot of women's clothing, food, and souvenirs, and it's somewhat like a store in a large inn.

We recommend miso and soy sauce from Sato Jozo, a brewery in Ama City, Aichi Prefecture. A tube-type all-purpose miso based on traditional soybean miso prepared in a barrel, “Doerya Nagoya no Miso Dare Dane (This is Nagoya's Miso)” (470 yen per bottle) seems to be a particularly popular item. It's said that adding it to tonkatsu, tofu, oden, and other dishes will bring the flavor to the next level.

Also recommended is a bag of "Shippou Honba Akadashi Miso", also made by Sato Jozo. We sell only 200 pieces from the second Saturday of every month. It's so popular that it sells out quickly, and there are many repeat customers who come to the store for this day. Even so, it is cheap at 350 yen for about 1.5 kg!

"Owari Onsen Tokai Center" also has a dining room where you can relax. The first thing that surprises you is the price. All the items are UNDER500, and I can't help but wonder if it's a school cafeteria!

I ordered "Omurice (egg covered rice)" (440 yen). The hot spring mark is drawn with ketchup and is cute! Edamame is adding a unique impression.
The ketchup rice wrapped in eggs was rich and seasoned just right after a sweaty bath.

"Owari Onsen Tokai Center" where more than 1,000 liters of fresh hot water per minute fills the bathtub and flows it luxuriously.

I want to say it out loud that it would be a loss if you didn't know that there is such a high quality hot spring just 30 minutes away from Nagoya!

Also, after tightening in a low-temperature hot spring water bath after a sauna, my skin is very glossy!