Himeshara Hot Springs

We are planning to go Himeshara Hot Springs on 24th nov. I know it's a Thanksgiving weekend but it's the only day we can go. So I guess we should expect a crowd?

We'll be getting the Hakone Pass so our plan is: Reach Hakone abt 9am, do the recommended round of sightseeing. Should finish around 5pm?? Then go Himeshara Hot Springs. Feasible?

Can we buy the hotspring tickets in advance, like before we start the sightseeing in the morning? Are there private baths and how much does that cost? Are children ages 7-11 allowed in it?

Or are there other hotsprings in the area that have family &/ separate baths? Just a simple, traditional & nice ambience bath that accommodates children is all we need since we only have a couple of hrs to experience it.

Thanks!

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is an onsen resort park with different kinds of baths, some of which allow swimsuits.

http://www.yunessun.com/english/

Hi,
There's no "ticket" for Himeshara No Yu hot spa--we just pay at the entrance. The fees are 1,050 yen for adults (junior high student or older) and 500 yen for children. It's better to bring your own towels since they cost you a few hundred yen. You can print out a coupon at the following Web site:
http://www.hakone-begoniaen.com/hime/coupon.html

There's no private baths at Himeshara No Yu. Their baths are even separated for men and women (which is common).

The private baths of Yunesson Mori No Yu is 3,000 yen for 2 - 3 people or 4,000 yen for 3-4 people. For details, please see:
http://www.yunessun.com/english/mori_no_yu.html

BTW, we don't have thanksgiving holidays in Japan. It would be just as crowded as regular weekends.

So are 23rd & 24th Nov national holidays? I saw on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holidays_of_Japan

that it's Labour Thanksgiving day...

I'm sorry but I didn't realize Kinro Kansha No Hi was translated into Labor "Thanksgiving" day, and this year Nov. 23rd happened to be Sunday and therefore Monday Nov. 24th will be holiday, too.

You're right--Nov. 23rd and 24th of 2008 will be national holidays, so it would be more crowded than a regular weekend.

Just returned from Japan.You pay by the entrance, the ticket is now 1000 Yen or 600 Yen after 6pm. You can rent the big towel for 300 yen or buy the small towel (with Himeshara Onsen logo) for the same price which you can keep.This is separate baths. Easy to get there from Tonosawa station on Hakone Yumoto-Gora train.

just wondering is it possible to remove the big towel only by the poolside? We're all not used to such nudity and have been a bit hesitating towards trying out the onsen.