Natural Farm City Noen Hotel is built on a hill that overlooks Chichibu City and is based on the theme of health and nature.

From their open-air landscape view shared bath, you can take in all of Chichibu City's streets and Oku Chichibu's mountain range at once. The facility is equipped with sauna and rest rooms as well, making it easy and comfortable for anyone to relax at length.

For food, you can go for their medicinal cuisine, which is offered kaiseki-style, or set course style. Western courses are also available for those who prefer that over Japanese food.

This Chichibu ryokan has a macrobiotic menu and a restaurant offering all-you-can-eat meals for guests who may have dietary restrictions due to religious or personal beliefs.

Ingredients and vegetables are freshly procured from contract farmers or the farm directly managed by the hotel and guaranteed to be safe and fresh.

The hotel staff can speak English, and there are shuttle buses you can board to go to the hotel from Seibu-Chichibu Station or Chichibu Station on Chichibu Railway (reservation-only, subject to timing availability and other conditions).

All common areas have access to Wi-Fi. Room rates start at 19,000 yen (tax excluded) per night per room that accommodates up to two guests or 14,500 yen (tax excluded) per night per room that accommodates one guest.

Hatago Ichiban is next to Shimabuji, the first temple on the Chichibu 34 Kannon Sanctuary pilgrim path. If you intend to make a pilgrimage through the sanctuary path, this is a hotel that we highly recommend staying in!

Established in the Edo period (1603 to 1868), the quaint wooden structure of the main building was constructed in the early 1900s and has remained since, contributing to the olden charm of this Chichibu ryokan. Coupled with the unassuming hospitality offered by considerate staff, it's really no wonder the lodge is as popular as it is.

The hearty menu here is a plus point as well! In spring, ingredients used include wild vegetables and bamboo shoots. In summer, the highlight is sweetfish. In autumn, this becomes mushrooms. Finally, wild game, such as meat from boars, deer, and ducks, is used during winter. All meals are prepared using regional methods and natural ingredients found in the locality of Chichibu.

Baths are available 24 hours a day, with bathwater that feels smooth over your skin and warms your body up quickly. Besides the fieldstone-decorated open-air bath that Hatago Ichiban is proud to promote, you can also find indoor baths filled with the fragrance of Japanese cypress.

All rooms have access to Wi-Fi. Room rates start from 17,760 yen (tax included) per night per room that accommodates up to two guests, or 8,888 yen (tax included) per night per room that accommodates one guest.

Yunoyado Wado is the only place you can enjoy soaking in the mineral spring waters of Wado, the hot spring with the longest history among the famous Chichibu Nanato - seven springs of Chichibu that are collectively a symbol of the region!

Iwakagami is a rock bath decorated with Chichibu serpentine, a rock made up of alternate layers of granite and quartz, causing it to have a serpent-like pattern, hence the name. Hiougi is a bath surrounded by wood from Japanese cypress, the fragrance of which is said to have healing properties for both mind and body.

This Chichibu ryokan's onsen baths allow you to feel the soothing breeze of Yokose River while soaking your worries away. You'll also be able to admire cherry blossoms in spring or fall leaves during autumn!

The ryokan has 14 rooms that come with open-air baths for private soaking away from the eyes of others. This is an excellent choice for guests who are usually shy about bathing together with strangers!

*Although the bath water for the open-air bath is not natural spring water, hot spring components based on hot spring water analysis statements are added to the water so that guests can enjoy a similarly refreshing experience.

Solo travelers are welcome to book these rooms for weekdays, except during August, which tends to be peak season.

Although guests are refrained from requesting different soup stocks or condiments, the restaurant should be able to handle halal or vegan requests, so don't be afraid to ask the staff about these options!

This Chichibu ryokan is within walking distance from Wado-Kuroya Station on the Chichibu Railway, but they also provide shuttle bus services, so why not use that? Once you arrive at the station, give them a call, and they'll be happy to come to pick you up.

All rooms have access to Wi-Fi. Room rates start from 18,000 yen (tax excluded) per night per room that accommodates up to two guests or 18,000 yen (tax excluded) per night per room that accommodates one guest.

The biggest appeal of open-air baths is the ability to enjoy the ever-changing seasonal landscapes outdoors all-year-round in the comfort and safety of a nice, warm tub. We hope that you've been able to find the best lodgings to enhance your appreciation of Japan's hot spring culture.

Text by: Medium KK. English translation by: Huimin Pan.