Umi-no Hotell Isaba, located on a hill overlooking the sea in Heda, has an open-air bath that is truly representative of the Nishi-Izu location.

Morikawa-san seemed to love the unobstructed, open view. The humorous hot water spout is also adorable.

Although we did not use it this time, this hotel has a private bath overlooking not only the ocean but also Mt. Fuji. After taking a bath, you can relax on the terrace lounge. If the weather is good, you can even see Mount Fuji and the Southern Alps from this terrace!

Another place we visited in Heda Onsen was "Ichi-no-yu," a day trip hot spring facility attached to the Kurura Heda Roadside station.

Since it's a roadside station, it's easy to drop in. Moreover, you can bathe for 500 yen, and there's even an open-air bath!

The spring water is a natural temperature with no added heat or water, so it can be a little hot depending on the season, but that's part of the charm. Morikawa-san was also pleased with the silky smooth feel of her skin after soaking in the bath.

From here, we head south along the west coast and further inland, away from the sea. Located in Oosouri, Neginohata in Nishiizu Town, Yamabiko-so is a unique hot spring inn housed in a former elementary school building.

When it comes to hot springs in Nishiizu, the image is usually associated with the sea and seafood, but this inn is nestled in the mountains. However, they decided to use their abundant hot spring water to fill a pool, which turned out to be a hit! This unique story could only have happened because it was a former elementary school.

The former classrooms have been converted into rooms for overnight stays, and school lunch chimes ring at dinner time. It is a very fun place to come with children, but adults will also be excited by the nostalgia.

And the hot spring is also fantastic. The spring quality is calcium-sodium-sulfate, and the slightly thick, warm water has a very soft texture. Even the water that comes out of the shower is hot spring water. Your skin will be smooth and silky after soaking in the water.

During our visit in winter, the bath was slightly heated, but during warmer seasons, they do not heat the water and let you soak in the natural hot spring water. In the summer, we can even use the hot spring pool. So, I would like to visit again in a different season.

Heading back to the seaside and traveling a bit further south, you'll reach the popular Kumomi Onsen area, which attracts visitors for activities such as fishing, swimming, and diving.

The hot springs here have a calcium-sodium-chloride composition and are especially highly concentrated, making them as salty and bitter as seawater and extremely warm.

One of the great features of Kumo-mi Onsen is the "Nagisa no Ashiyu," (foot bath), which offers a stunning view of the ocean along with the hot springs, free of charge. On a clear day, you may even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji across Suruga Bay! Even if Mount Fuji is not visible, you'll still enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the ocean.

Luckily, the weather was on our side, and Morikawa-san was also impressed by the view.

Oosawa Onsen in Matsuzaki has been known for its hot springs since the mid-Edo period. The Yoda family, who were the village heads, greatly contributed to the region's industry and education. At Yoda no Shou, a day trip hot spring facility on the former Yoda family estate, there are two baths - the Shoya no Yu and the Tachibana no Yu - and men and women switch places every week.

The Tachibana no Yu with its open-air bath has a relaxing atmosphere. On the other hand, the Shoya no Yu has a wide, stately bathhouse with a high ceiling.

The quality of the spring is a weak alkaline simple hot spring. The water has long been known as "cosmetic bath" and "beauty bath". While bathing, you can enjoy the silky smooth texture of the water, and after bathing, your skin will feel reborn.

By the way, when you visit Yoda no Syou, be sure to take a tour of the adjacent former Yoda residence. The warehouse with namako walls retains the atmosphere of the past. The tour is free.

There are about 11 hot spring hotels in the scenic spot of Dogashima where you can observe the phenomenon of "Tonboro", and many of them offer bathing with a view of the sea. Among them, we visited "Dogashima Hotel Tenyu", which has a spectacular open-air bath with a view of Sanshiro Island connected by a Tonboro(Sandbars) directly in front of it!

The spring quality is calcium-sodium-sulfate spring. As you go down the stairs from the door of the indoor bath, you'll be amazed by the breathtaking view. It's truly luxurious to be able to enjoy it from the natural hot spring bath that is constantly flowing.

It's almost sunset time. There is a must-visit open-air bath in Nishi-Izu that you should definitely enter as the sun sets. It's called "Sawada Park Open-Air Bath".

It's a municipal day trip hot spring in Nishi-Izu Town, and there are only separate open-air baths for men and women facing the sea, but the view from the open-air bath is truly amazing. As soon as you open the door of the changing room, you'll be greeted with the open-air bath and the sea!

Photo was taken in men's bath with towel wrapped around for purpose of interview.

And on this day, despite the clear skies and lack of clouds, the sky turned bright red, a miraculous evening view.

Let us introduce a little-known hot spring in Mishima, which is also the gateway to Izu. Takekura Onsen used to have three inns, but now only one, Minakuchi-Sou, is open as a day trip hot spring.

The bath is indoor only, but the cloudy water, which many customers come from far away to soak in, warms the body deeply. It is a hot spring to be enjoyed along with its old-fashioned atmosphere.