温泉と一人旅（Hot Spa/Onsen and Solo Trip)

一昨年から始めた、一人旅。
温泉がある土地で生まれた私は温泉が大好き。
しかしいつも近場の温泉で、気に入った温泉場に行くばかり。
慣れた場所で入るお気に入りの露天温泉は、確かに気持ちいい。
四季も感じることができる。泉質も良い。
しかし新鮮さに欠ける。変化が無い。なんだか物足りない。
Solo travel is something I started the year before last.
I was born in a place where there are hot springs and I love hot springs.
However, I always go to my favorite hot spring resort in the neighborhood.
My favorite open-air hot spring in a familiar place certainly feels good. The seasons can be felt. The quality of the spring water is also good.
But it lacks freshness. There is no change. It is somehow unsatisfying.

そこで知人に紹介してもらったのが熊本県にある　黒川温泉。
早速初秋に行ってみた。
山間の渓谷にあり、比較的狭い場所に多くの温泉場がある観光地。今まで行っていた温泉は海に面しており、開けた場所にあったが、いやはや狭い。
しかし自然がとても美しい。
到着後、案内所に行き、温泉手形（ヒノキ製で良い香りがした）を購入。１枚の温泉手形で3か所の温泉に入れる。（有効期限は6か月）
Then an acquaintance introduced me to Kurokawa Hot Springs in Kumamoto Prefecture. I immediately went there in early autumn.
Located in a mountain valley, it is a sightseeing spot with many hot spring resorts in a relatively small area.
The hot springs I had been to before were facing the sea and were in open areas, but no, they were very narrow.
But the nature is very beautiful. Upon arrival, I went to the information center and purchased a hot spring bill (made of cypress and smelling good). （One bill allows you to enter three hot springs (valid for six months).

温泉場を探索し、露天風呂がある温泉宿を見つけ入る。そこの露天風呂は大変広く、静かでゆっくり入浴ができた。しばらく入った後、温泉街を散歩。
多くの観光客が訪れており、大変賑やか。
記念撮影する人やお店を出入りする人、おいしそうな食べ物を提供するお店で飲食する人等、とにかく賑やか。早々にお土産を買い、その日の宿泊するホテルに移動。
After exploring the hot spring resort, I found a hot spring resort with an open-air bath and entered. The open-air bath was very spacious, quiet, and relaxing.
After bathing for a while, I took a walk around the hot spring resort. The town was very lively with many tourists visiting.
People were taking pictures, going in and out of stops, eating and drinking at stores offering delicious food, and so on.
I quickly bought some souvenirs and moved to the hotel where I would be staying that day.

続く
To be continued