Mixed onsen in Yumoto-Nikko or in Okunikko

Hello!

I and my girlfriend will be hiking in October through Senjogahara (or possibly to mount Nantai), and we would like to enjoy onsen together in the end of the day in Yumoto Onsen (if you know of places around Chuzenji or around Nikko st, that could also work, since we'll be staying around there for 1-2 nights). We are not staying in a ryokan, so we need an onsen place that is open to day-visitors...

I can't find much information on this online. I found this: http://nikko-travel.jp/assets/files/english/one-day_visit_hot_spring_e... but I'm not sure if any of them we can enjoy together.

Ideally, we are hoping for an open-air bath with nice views. We are okay being naked btw, as long as the place is not creepy.

We could also consider renting a private onsen session, if it has nice views and not too overpriced...

any thoughts will be appreciated! :)

That is ‘Ý�ؘI“V•—˜C(kashikiri roten-buro) or ‰Æ‘°•—˜C(kazoku-buro).
‘Ý�Ø means "private", ‰Æ‘° means "family".

http://www.jalan.net/onsen/KEN_080000.html
(how to)
http://s12.postimg.org/8bueqvp3h/onsen_search.png
Just ‘Ý�Ø•—˜C means not ˜I“V/roten(open air).

But Kinugawa maybe better as largest onsen resort town of Nikko area.
http://www.kinugawa-onsen.com/lg_en/stay/

thanks, Cholas! When I try to arrange the search as in your pic, I obtain results with what seem to prices for room (e.g., cheapest is 5000 yen per person, ending up with 10000 for two). But we just want onsen experience for one hour, and I don't see such results....

From what i know most Japanese ryokans only allow usage of their private onsen or booking of the whole onsen for staying guest.

jh,

certainly in Takaragawa and some places in Hakone, ryokans allow day-trippers to visit too... therefore I was wondering if this was possible in Yumoto Onsen in Nikko... if not, perhaps anyone knows if there are just regular public onsens in the area?

I found out this site.

http://www.food-travel.jp/tochigi/kaniyu.html

It costs 500 yen for visitor.

But you must walk up to the hotel by walk for one half hour.

Mixed onsen, good view, low price, hard walking.

Thanks but judging from their map, this is not close to Yumoto Onsen at all :(

Kani-yu is super far from the area where you'll be hiking. Actually there isn't much hot spring selection around Okunikko and from an internet search it seems the only mixed bath in the area segregated in 2006. Seems you might be out of luck with a mixed bath, but kashikiri (private) baths should still be an option. There are a few ryokan in the area. Check their website, some may open up their private baths to the public.

From what i know most Japanese ryokans only allow usage of their private onsen or booking of the whole onsen for staying guest.

Many open their baths to non-staying guests for a fee. Of those that do, not all allow use of their private (kashikiri) baths, but many do for an additional fee.

I hope i am not too late to reply but below place is i think what you are looking for.

http://www.okunikko.co.jp/en/hotspring.html

Enjoy!!!

Thanks! Our hosts in Nikko recommended the same place! But it's good to post a reply here in case someone else is interested in the same question.

When we came up to Yumoto Onsen, it was quite late, so we just took a quick (and free) footbath (highly recommended! Very nice after a hike), and ended up heading back to Nikko. Maybe next time!

Thanks to everyone for responses!