Among all of the public baths and spas that are located within 5 kilometers or less of my home, I like Takasago Onsen the best.

Located on the hill at Takasago Dai overlooking the city of Asahikawa from the west, the newest addition to the hot spring hotel was built in 1994. As such, the facility is relatively new, and quite clean.

The main reason that I like this place so much, is because it has an outdoor hot tub. Well actually, three outdoor hot tubs that anyone can enjoy. The largest of the outdoor hot tubs is the round shaped Radium Salts Mineral Bath. Another round, but smaller hot tub, contains a combination of mineral salts that is claimed to be the same as the Hell Spa in Beppu. At least, that is what the hand painted sign posted on the wall next to the tub says. The third and final outdoor tub is the rectangular "sleeping tub" which contains a reddish colored water and is advertised as the Magma Hot Spring Tub. Every one of these three tubs has an aerator that produces bubbles in the water, and the temperature is just right for taking a long and leisurely soak. At the same time, one can enjoy the night view of Asahikawa and the cool freshness of the night air. In addition to this, there is a constant source of relaxing stereo music being piped in to all parts of the spa.

Inside the building and down the stairs from the Rotenburo area, there are an even larger variety of baths to choose from. My favorite indoor tub is the Chinese Herbal Medicine Bath which contains a dark brown colored water, and has a distinctive smell. A strange thing about this bath, is that it stimulates every hair follicle in your body and produces a very finely beaded and slow sweat. It is truly effective. A cloth bag containing 10 different herbs, dangling from a rope into the hot water, creates the color and smell.

Besides the herbal bath there is the Ozone Bath, the Jet Bath which is designed to massage your back muscles, the Electric Bath, which I never use, the Radon Bath with its yellow-green colored water, the Waterfall Bath which has a single stream of warm water falling down from the ceiling. According to your position in the weighted down white plastic chair, the stream of water can be directed at your head, shoulders, or back, all the way down to your buttocks. And of course, there is the perennial cold tub which I always use whenever I go to any hot spring spa.

In addition to all of these baths, there are also two saunas. One is the Family Home Sauna. It is maintained at a low temperature, about 60 degrees Celsius. The other is a regular high temperature sauna maintained at between 90 and 95 degrees Centigrade. Both are effective and produce a quick sweat. As for me, after I take a sauna, I must take a dip into the cold tub. I don't need to linger for very long, but I must cool off my skin and close the sweat pores or I will begin to feel too hot and too sleepy.

Another thing which I like about Takasago Onsen is the lighting both inside and outside of the facility. Inside the building, there are several different colors of short tube florescent lights decorating the main bathing area. The colors range from the common soft white light to green, pink and blue. The choice of colors is very appropriate. Exposed to this colored lighting, the bather feels more relaxed and comfortable. It's kind of a funky atmosphere, but it is very effective for creating the relaxation response in a human being.

There are, of course, two separate sections for the women's' and men's' bathing areas but the swimming pool and water slide are both located on the men's side of the facility. The posted sign says; "THE POOL IS FOR CHILDREN. PLEASE WEAR A BATHING SUIT. NO ROUGH HOUSING OR LOUD NOISES."

I usually go to Takasago Onsen late at night. Sometime between 10:00 p.m., and 2:00 a.m.. Therefore, I have seldom seen children using the water slide or the pool. But, I have seen many college students using both on several occasions. I have even taken a ride down the slide a few times myself.

Takasago Onsen is not expensive. If you pay each time in cash, it will cost you 600 yen. If you buy a book of 11 tickets for 6,000 yen, it will cost you a little less. If you want to enjoy a variety of baths at a very reasonable price and you don't have enough time to travel to a far away mountain resort spa, consider going to Takasago Onsen at Takasago Dai, west of Kamui. It is an economical and enjoyable way to recharge your battery.