Makino Shiratani Onsen Hachiojiso

Hachiojiso stands alone in a quiet wooded valley at Shiratani in Makino, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, about one kilometre north of the Makino Kogen ski slopes. The origins of Makino Shiratani Onsen itself are undocumented, but the present inn opened in 2006. It sits at the gateway to the Makino highlands on the north-western shore of Lake Biwa, an area famous for its avenue of metasequoia trees, and the surrounding deciduous forest changes dramatically through the seasons.

The water is classified as a simple weak radioactive cold mineral spring, weakly alkaline and hypotonic, emerging at 21.4 degrees Celsius with a pH of 8.3. Its radon content has long given it a reputation as one of the Kansai region's leading therapeutic springs, traditionally recommended for rheumatism, arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure. No water is added to the source, but because the spring is cold it is heated and run through filtration with chlorine disinfection. The water is clear and colourless with a notably soft, silky feel on the skin.

Bathing facilities include the indoor Buna-no-yu and Sakura-no-yu baths, an open-air bath, and a private bath called Tsubaki-no-yu. Day bathing costs 700 yen for adults and 380 yen for children, from 10:00 to 20:30 with last entry at 20:00, closed on Thursdays. The private bath is 1,000 yen per hour in addition to the bathing fee. Four Japanese-style guest rooms accommodate up to 14 overnight guests, with kaiseki meals, Wi-Fi and a workation space available. Parking is free for 23 cars.