【Onsen Dining】A panoramic view of Kasumigaura! 'Aso Onsen Shirahonoyu' in Namegata City, Ibaraki Prefecture, offers large shrimp tempura soba

The author, wanting to avoid crowds while dining on their drive, visited 'Aso Onsen Shirahonoyu,' which offers a panoramic view of Kasumigaura. I enjoyed soaking in the hot springs while gazing at the magnificent lakeside and indulged in onsen cuisine at the on-site dining hall.

The facility "Aso Onsen Shirahono-yu" offers a panoramic view of Lake Kasumigaura

The attached cafeteria at the hot spring is rarely crowded, allowing guests to enjoy local gourmet and simple yet delicious dishes. The author, who struggles with dining in crowded places, visited "Aso Onsen Shirahono-yu" in Namie City, Ibaraki Prefecture this time.

This hot spring has a smooth yellow-brown water quality, and the open-air bath with a view of Lake Kasumigaura is a notable feature. After finishing my camping trip, I stopped by and was able to relax immensely with the feeling of the soothing water in my tired body and the magnificent scenery of Lake Kasumigaura. The interior also has a calm atmosphere making it a comfortable place to be.

Enjoying popular menu items at the cafeteria

Before entering the hot spring, I was considering having the popular Chicken Nanban set meal, which is ranked second this season. However, standing in front of the ticket machine with my heated body, I suddenly craved the smooth texture of soba and decided to go for the third-ranked large shrimp tempura soba.

After presenting the meal ticket and waiting a few minutes, my number was called over the announcement.

As soon as I started eating, the soba was firm and delicious, going down smoothly. I've been eating a lot of soba lately, but perhaps it's because it's the season for new soba, everything tastes great.

The large shrimp tempura, prominently displayed on the menu, was crispy and when dipped in the noodle sauce, the umami spread pleasantly in my mouth. The tempura vegetables like green beans and sweet potatoes were also perfectly crispy and very tasty. Thank you for the meal.

Exiting the hot spring facility, I appreciated the view of Lake Kasumigaura that was visible from the bath. Waterfowl floated lazily, creating a serene atmosphere. The vast scenery of Lake Kasumigaura, which couldn't be fully captured in the camera frame, is soothing, and it's a hot spring I'd like to visit again.

Aso Onsen Shiraho no Yu
Location: 421-3 Aso, Yuki City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Last Admission 8:00 PM, Closed on Wednesdays
Tel: 0299-80-6622
Fees: Adults 740 yen, Children/Disabled 310 yen
Adults (5:00 PM onward) 530 yen, Children/Disabled (5:00 PM onward) 210 yen

Since I have the opportunity, I headed to the lakeside parking lot to further enjoy Lake Kasumigaura.

The weather was nice that day, so I came to a parking lot near the lakeside. The atmosphere here is also relaxed and great.

There are several boat stops in the vicinity, used as a departure and arrival point for leisure activities such as fishing and jet skiing. However, Lake Kasumigaura is so vast that it looks just like the sea. With nothing to obstruct, the sunlight hits warmly, and I could gaze at the beautiful lake surface for as long as I wanted.

While taking a walk around the area, I spotted a strange structure. Upon investigation, I found it was the site of a catapult that launched aircraft over short distances, existing alone along the roadside.

In fact, this area was home to the Kashiwa Naval Air Force Base used during the war, and it seems to currently be used for filming dramas and movies. I was able to confirm several facilities that evoke a sense of history from the road. It is possible to enter and take a look inside, but the open days are only on weekends, so I couldn’t go in that day (a weekday). I found it very interesting, and I would like to come back again on an open day.

There are attractive hot springs and facilities near Lake Kasumigaura, full of things to see. Without a doubt, you will be healed by the vast lake, so why not stop by while driving?

Kashiwa Naval Air Force Base Site
Location: 2014-8 Ooyama, Miho Village, Inashiki District, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone: 029-875-7221
Regular Admission Fee: Adults (18 years and older) 800 yen, Children (elementary to high school) 300 yen
Open Days & Hours: Open only on Saturdays and Sundays (excluding the year-end and New Year holidays (December 29 to January 3))
Summer Hours (March to November): 9:00-17:00 (Last admission at 15:30)
Winter Hours (December to February): 9:00-16:00 (Last admission at 15:00)
*May temporarily close due to weather or maintenance checks.

Interview/Article by Kazuma Tanaka

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