Hinotani Onsen Misugi Resort Fire Valley Cottage (SOMA Cottage)

SOMA Cottage: Whole-Cottage Rentals at Misugi Resort

Hinotani Onsen Misugi Resort Fire Valley Cottage is SOMA Cottage, a set of whole-cottage rentals on the grounds of Misugi Resort, which spreads across the satoyama countryside of Misugi-cho in Tsu, Mie. It sits 60 to 80 minutes from major sightseeing areas such as Ise, Iga, Nagashima and Nara, in a town rich in nature that was the first in the Tokai region to be certified as a Forest Therapy Base. Surrounded by forest, you can spend the evening under a sky full of stars and wake to the singing of birds.

Cottages with Distinct Characters

You can choose a cottage to match your group and your plans: a cabin type with three twin bedrooms that sleeps up to 13, a log type with all the feel of a log house that sleeps up to 5, and buildings where pets can stay. The baths vary just as much, from cottages with a private sauna and a Western-style open-air bath to jacuzzi types and cottages with an open-air bath, and some of the sauna cottages also have a hammock. Rooms come with a TV, a refrigerator, a kettle, a hair dryer, a toilet with a bidet seat, towels and yukata, and Wi-Fi is available in every room. Check-in is at Hotel ANNEX, and the cottages are a 1- to 5-minute walk from there.

Hinotani Onsen and the Water Park

Guests staying in the cottages can use the forest communal bath fed by Hinotani Onsen, the resort's own spring source, on the same grounds; it has four indoor baths, a large open-air bath, a sauna, a cold-water bath and a reclining bath. The spring water is a sodium bicarbonate spring, known as a bath that is good for the skin. Separately, there is a private-hire open-air bath among the trees, roomy enough for 20 people, at 3,300 yen including tax for 45 minutes. In summer the Fire Valley Water Park opens, with three water slides, a Space Ball, a flowing-water pool and a children's pool, along with the Hotel Annex outdoor pool, which is free of charge and for staying guests only.

Countryside Experiences the Whole Family Can Enjoy

The grounds offer plenty of hands-on programs for children: hand-catching fish and a barbecue, bug catching and catching rhinoceros beetles by hand in summer, Baumkuchen, handmade bread and pizza classes year-round, and night stalls and bingo tournaments over Golden Week, the summer holidays and the New Year period. You can also try the kind of "Inaka Tourism" (countryside tourism) that only works out in nature, from forest therapy, firefly tours and stargazing night tours to harvesting vegetables at SOMAFARM.