Spirited Away and Slightly Overcooked

If you’re planning to see the snow monkeys at Jigokudani, staying a night in Shibu Onsen is such a good call — and honestly, kind of a hidden gem. The town is super quiet and full of charm, with narrow little streets, old wooden buildings, and steam curling up from the bathhouses. It gave me total Spirited Away vibes, especially with the snow falling — like stepping into another world. When you stay at one of the local ryokans, they give you a special key that lets you try out all nine public onsens around town. Each one is a bit different, and yeah — the water is hot. Way hotter than most other places I’ve been to. But that’s part of the fun. It feels super local and traditional, like a little onsen adventure. The best part? After checking out the next morning, you can head over to Jigokudani to see the snow monkeys. It’s really close by, and seeing them just chilling in a natural hot spring surrounded by snow is such a cool (and kinda surreal) sight. It was the perfect way to end the visit — like the whole trip built up to that one magical moment. Shibu Onsen made the whole experience feel extra special. Peaceful, authentic, and something I’ll definitely remember for a long time.