muddysox
I visited this onsen with a party of Japanese colleagues who made a point of teaching me all the required local etiquette. Apparently, it is expected to use a small rough scrubbing towel during the initial shower (and everybody in the onsen at the time was indeed using one, but they are not supplied). Next step is the (small) sauna, where you DON'T need to bring your own towel -the benches are ready covered with communal bath towels (which I consider unhygienic, but it is standard practice all over Japan). My Japanese friends went straight from the sauna into the rotenburo (open air warm bath) without bothering to shower to wash off the sweat before -again, this seemed to be in conformity with local custom. The rontenburo appears to be by far the most popular feature, whereas the sauna and the indoor bath are not very interesting. Another feature is a small shallow cold bath, which is not very popular. Genders are strictly seggregated. The only place where different genders can meet is the (rather small) indoor picnic room, where it is possible to eat one's home-made dinner at low-level tables, watch TV and access Wi-Fi free of charge and passwords while sitting/lying on the tatami. Plenty of hot and cold drinks vending machines are available, of course, and so is a small self-catering kitchen equipped with microwave and kettle. Larger and more interesting onsens exist in Hokkaido, but if you happen to be in the area it does make a fine evening out.