Hibagongo Onsen Suzuran-no-Yu

Suzuran-no-Yu is a day-use hot spring bathhouse standing at roughly 700 meters above sea level on the southern flank of Mount Dogo (1,271 m), a peak of the Chugoku Mountains listed among Japan's 300 Famous Mountains and set within Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park. It occupies a corner of the Dogoyama Kogen Cross Country Park, a sports training complex beside National Route 183, and opened in the spring of 2005. The bathhouse doubles as the main bath of the adjoining lodge Hiba Dogoyama Kogenso, serving overnight guests alongside local residents and travelers. The name Hibagongo refers to Hibagon, an ape-like cryptid reported repeatedly across the Hiba mountains during the 1970s; the creature appears on the signboards, the entrance mat, and even in the canteen's signature Hibagon-don rice bowl.

The source, registered as Hibagongo Onsen, is classified as a simple weak radioactive cold mineral spring, hypotonic and weakly alkaline. The water analysis dated 9 June 2003 records a source temperature of 14.7 degrees Celsius, a pH of 7.7, a yield of 49 liters per minute, a radon content of 32.8 by 10 to the minus 10 curies per kilogram, and a total mineral content of 111.6 milligrams per kilogram. The water is clear and colorless with almost no taste or odor, and carries the soft, silky feel typical of radioactive springs. Both the facility's own site and the Shobara city tourism site describe the bath as free-flowing from the source, but at 14.7 degrees the water must be heated, and visitors who have read the legally required notice posted on site report heating, dilution, recirculation with filtration, and chlorine disinfection.

Bathing is limited to separate indoor baths for men and women, with no open-air bath. Each holds a main tub partly fitted with air jets, a separate jet bath, a cold plunge, and a sauna. A balcony off the bathing area looks out over the highland scenery of Mount Dogo, and an outdoor icing tub sits just outside; a foot bath has also been added in recent years. The building includes a rest room, a canteen open 11:30 to 14:30 on weekends and holidays, a small shop, and a large free car park. Admission is 620 yen for adults and 310 yen for children, discounted every Wednesday to 360 and 150 yen with a free shuttle service. Hours are 10:30 to 21:00 from March through November and 11:30 to 21:00 from December through February, closed on Tuesdays except public holidays, Obon, and the New Year period.