When traveling to Japan, there are various areas of the country that one can visit. The typical places that tourists go to include Hokkaido, Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo. Tokyo in itself already houses various wards and towns that are quite popular with their own tourist attractions. A metropolis, Tokyo is probably the busiest area in Japan for the whole year. Being the most popular place to go to, the metropolitan area welcomes thousands of foreign visitors on a yearly basis. Among the many districts that are housed within Tokyo is none other than Shirogane.
Shirogane Located in Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Situated in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, Shirogane is a district that is comprised of six chome. As of the 1st of November in the year 2007, the population in this area has amounted to 14,840 according to Minato. For people who would be sending packages to this place, its postal code is 108-0072.
The term “Shirogane” is sometimes used to describe the bigger neighborhood that was previously known as Shiba-Shirogane. This neighborhood encompasses a portion of Takanawa, Shirokanedai, and Shirogane. Another reference to Shirogane is the chome, which are labeled as Shirogane 1-chome to Shirogane 6-chome.
With the coordinates of 35.642868° North and 139.734158° East, Shirogane is located in the Takanawa area in Minato ward. As of the 1st of January in the year 2017, the total population in Shirogane amounted to 17,289. Its area code is 03.
At the southern end of Minato ward, the area is bounded by other neighborhoods that include Shirokanedai, Ebisu, Minami-Azabu, and Takanawa. The six subdistricts or chomes are divided by the Prefectural Highway 305 known as Ebisu-dori. The subdistricts are divided into two groups, which are the odd-numbered ones and the even-numbered ones. The odd-numbered subdistricts are designated as industrial areas while the even-numbered subdistricts are assigned as high-rise residential areas.
Minor factories and shopping streets have been established along the river of Furukawa. Apartments and schools like the Seishin Joshi Gakuin located within a quiet residential area have also been developed upon the southern hill. Subway was recently opened in the region that let the area surrounding the Shirogane-Takanawa Station be under redevelopment.
There are also forest areas within Shirogane that are owned by academic institutions. These institutions include the Seishin Joshi Gakuin and the Kitasato Institute. Connecting these with the Institute of Medical Science in Shirokanedai and the Institute for Nature Study, they form one of the biggest green districts in the special wards that are situated in Tokyo. This combined green area dates can be traced back to the mansions owned by daimyos during the Edo period. Eventually, industrialists made this place as their homes, which allowed for the famous neighborhood composed of the upper-class.
The name of the district was based on the name of a man who used to live in the area. A government official of the Southern Dynasty who went by the nickname of Shirogane Choja settled in this area and eventually got rich during the Dei era, which lasted from the year 1394 to the year 1428. His nickname translates to “man who possesses much white gold,” with the white gold referring to platinum. Hence, the area was called “Platinum District.”
There are also schools that exist in the area. These schools are the Meiji Gakuin Senior High School and the Meiji Gakuin University. Slopes in the area include Shokko-zaka, Meiji-zaka, and Sanko-zaka.
A Guide on The Blue Pond Just Outside Shirogane Onsen
Another place that goes by the same name is Shirogane Onsen. While the place in itself is quite popular among the locals who love going to an onsen, a pond just outside this town is also quite popular. Also known as Aoiike in Japanese, the Blue Pond is located just outside the Shirogane Onsen, known as a hot spring town. Its name was derived from its deep blue color that was caused by the natural minerals that were dissolved in the water. It has become quite popular that news reports have also been made about this place.
While the place was not previously promoted as a tourist attraction, it is now quite popular not just among the locals but among tourists as well. It is important to research about the place prior to going so as one would know what to do when in the area. As a part of a system that was designed to control erosion, the pond helps in preventing damage that may be caused to Biei should an eruption occur from the nearby Mount Tokachidake. There are no closing hours or days for this pond. Moreover, people may go free of admission.
Even though the pond has not undergone any major touristic development, it remains popular among the public. It offers a free parking lot for people who would be traveling to the place with their own private vehicles. The walking trip through the forest to the pond may take about 5 to 10 minutes. Although there is not much to do around the pond, the scenery in itself is already quite a treat. This includes a number of structures made of concrete that is part of the erosion control system.
Situated along the Prefectural Road number 966, the Blue Pond is quite accessible even for those people who would only be commuting. There are buses that run between Biei Station and Shirogane Station. These buses stop at Shirogane Aoiike Iriguchi bus stop, which is located between the two stations.
It only takes about 20 minutes to get from Biei Station to the pond and costs 540 yen on a one-way trip. Only five round trips are conducted per day. During the summer season, there is a number of Biei View Bus and Round Trip Bus sightseeing buses that visit the pond. The View Bus leaves Biei Station while the Round Trip Bus leaves Furano Station.
Shirogane Onsen and Its Many Hot Spring Options
Going back to Shirogane Onsen, it is a famous hot spring resort located in the town of Biei. With its address situated in the southern portion of the city of Asahikawa, around 300,000 people visit the resort every year. The resort is composed of six spring facilities that are also utilized as a mountain climbing base for Mount Tokachidake as well as Mount Bieidake. Near the Shirogane hot spring resort are the Blue Pond and the Shirahige Falls.
Recognized as a sightseeing spot wherein guests may enjoy the nature of Daisetsuzan, the area also features the Taisetsu Youth Recreation Hall, a ski resort, and a camping ground. Day trips baths can be taken at the many resorts or hotels in Shirogane Onsen. These include Taisestuzan Shirogane Kanko Hotel, Yumoto Shirogane Onsen Hotel, Yamabe-no-Kazoku, Shirogane Onsenkyo Mori-no-Ryotei Biei, Biei-Shirogane Shiki-no-Mori Hotel Park Hills, Biei Nation Recreation Center, and Biei Guesthouse Shirogane-no-Yu.
One of the most popular hot spring places in Shirogane Onsen is Mori-no-Ryotei Biei. Opened in the year 2010, the hotel features an outdoor bath, an outdoor bath tub, and two indoor baths located at the bathhouse. While there is not much of a good view when bathing outdoors as the baths are surrounded by walls, one can still enjoy forest bathing due to a forest nearby. It would be best to bring a local with one if one is an Engish-speaker as not everyone in the staff knows the language.
The hot springs in this hotel are composed of magnesium, sodium, and calcium sulphate chloride spring. The hue of the spring is light green and opaque while the smell is a bit metallic. The water also has a salty taste to it. The hot spring ingredients amount to a total of 5.329 g. The hot springs are the neutral type with a low osmotic pressure and an extra hot spring temperature.
The hotel provides shampoos and body soaps, which can be found in the bathhouse. The dressing room also has a restroom as well as free hair dryers. The water temperature of the hot spring source is 46.1 C while the ph is 6.4. Indications for this hot spring include muscular pain, frozen shoulder, tightening of the joint, sprain, relieving fatigue, cuts, chronic skin diseases, arteriosclerosis, neuralgia, arthralgia, bruise, chronic digestive diseases, cold sensitivity, and burns. On the other hand, contraindications include active tuberculosis, respiratory failure, high anemia, severe heart disease, renal insufficiency, and hemorrhagic disease.
Entrance to the bath facility costs 800 yen per head for adults, 400 yen per head for elementary school students, and 100 yen per head for infants. Its business hours begin at 10 in the morning and end at 2 in the afternoon. The onsen is open all year round. Furthermore, the hotel also offers free parking with a capacity of 17 cars. To know more, their telephone number is +81-166-68-1500.
Founded in the year 1979, another great option for a hot spring batch is none other than Taisestuzan Shirogane Kanko Hotel. It features an outdoor both, two indoor baths, a cold bath, and a sauna located at the bathhouse. Similar to Mori-no-Ryotei Biei, its hot springs are also composed of magnesium, sodium, and calcium sulphate chloride spring. Also, the color of the spring is light green and opaque while the smell is a bit metallic as well. The hot springs are the neutral type with a low osmotic pressure and an extra hot spring temperature.
Just like the previous hotel, this hotel also offers shampoos and body soaps, which can be found in the bathhouse. The dressing room also has a restroom as well as free hair dryers. The water temperature of the hot spring source is 56.8 C while the ph is 6.8. Indications for this hot spring include muscular pain, frozen shoulder, tightening of the joint, sprain, relieving fatigue, cuts, chronic skin diseases, arteriosclerosis, neuralgia, arthralgia, bruise, chronic digestive diseases, cold sensitivity, and burns. On the other hand, contraindications include active tuberculosis, respiratory failure, high anemia, severe heart disease, renal insufficiency, and hemorrhagic disease.
Entrance to the bath facility costs 1000 yen per head for adults and 400 yen per head for elementary school students. Its business hours begin at 11:30 in the morning and end at 9 in the evening. The onsen is also open all year round. Furthermore, the hotel also offers free parking with a capacity of 60 cars. To know more, their contact number is +81-166-94-3111.
Founded in the year 1951, one other option for a good onset experience is Yumoto Shirogane Onsen Hotel. This hotel features an outdoor bath, three indoor baths, a cold bath, and a sauna located in the bathhouse. Moreover, there is also a mixed bathing open-air bath situated at a ravine. Just like the other mentioned hotels, its hot springs are also composed of magnesium, sodium, and calcium sulphate chloride spring. Also, the color of the spring is light green and opaque while the smell is a bit metallic as well. The hot springs are the neutral type with a low osmotic pressure and an extra hot spring temperature.
The water temperature of the hot spring source is 51.7 C while the ph is 6.6. Its indications and contraindications are similar to those mentioned above. Entrance to the bath facility costs 800 yen per head for adults, 400 yen per head for elementary school students, and 200 yen per head for infants. Its business hours begin at 11 in the morning and end at 5 in the afternoon. The onsen is open all year round. Furthermore, the hotel also offers free parking with a capacity of 50 cars. To know more, their telephone number is +81-166-94-3333.
Why Shirogane Onsen is A Must-Visit
Truly, Shirogane Onsen is the place to be for people who love hot springs. The place serves the people who are looking for relaxation the best. Its hot springs are well-known throughout the country. Furthermore, there are various benefits that one can get from dipping into their hot springs. Completely natural, one would definitely be refreshed after spending some time in its waters. The place is a must-visit no matter the time of the year, whether it is in April or June.
Feeling the heat of the water on one’s skin helps the tight muscles loosen and relax. This is why warm showers are best taken at night before bedtime. As the muscles relax, so does the whole body. Spending some quiet quality time in the onsen would not only help one rewind but also clear one’s mind. Visiting Shirogane Onsen is definitely a must especially for people who are stressed from work or for any other reasons at all.
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