My Sister's Visit (Day 2 - Part 1) / 妹の訪問 （二日目 パート１）

We started off my sister's second day in Aomori with a visit to a popular hot spring called Sukayu which is located near Hakkoda Mountain. Although this was my sister's second visit to Aomori, it was her first time coming in the winter. One of first things she said when she got off the plane and we were heading to my mother-in-law's house was "Wow! That's a lot of snow!" I told my sister to keep that thought in mind when we make our little road trip to Sukayu tomorrow.

妹の青森滞在不活目は朝早くから八甲田山の近くにある青森県の名所酸ヶ湯。妹が青森に来たのは２回目ですが、今年初の冬の青森に来た。空港から家に行く途中、妹が外を見ながら、”ワオ！ザッツ・ア・ロット・オブ・スノー”と叫んだ。訳すと”うわ！雪がいっぱい！” 妹に明日行くところはここより凄いよと言った。

On our way to Sukayu Hot Spring.

酸ヶ湯温泉行き。

My sister reiterated, "Wow, that's a lot of snow!"

妹が外を見ながら、やっぱり”ワオ！ザッツ・ア・ロット・オブ・スノー！”と再び叫んだ！

Sukayu Hot Spring. And yes, it was snowing when we went.

酸ヶ湯温泉。はい、行くとき雪が降ってました。

Sukayu is known for its senninburo (1000 people bath) and is also famous for being a mixed bath. However, this sign is a warning (mostly towards men) to not oggle and to not show off their equipment either. Also, on the women's side, there is a partition which they can stay behind if they are too shy or embarrassed to soak in the mixed area. They can also buy an outfit to cover their bodies and still soak in the bath. There is no men only area.

酸ヶ湯温泉の名物はやっぱり千人風呂です。ほかに有名なのは、この温泉は混浴です。でも恥ずかしいやシャイの女性たち、安心して下さい。千人風呂の一部にパーティションがあり、そこに居れば男性から見られない。あと、体を隠す特性の風呂用のものも売っております。このサインを読んでみたら、なんだか男性への警告しか思えないね。

In the lobby is an exhibit of taxidermied animals that are indigenous to the area.

ロビに八甲田山周辺の動物の剥製が展示されてる。

Ermine / てん

Weasels / いたち

Racoon dog / たぬき

Japanese serow / カモシカ

As taking pictures in the bath area aren't really allowed, I borrowed this from the internet to give you an idea of what the bath looks like.

大浴場の写真撮影は禁じられてますので、ネットから借りた一枚で雰囲気を伝わりたいと思う。

My sister and I make it 1000.

僕と妹で千人風呂だ。

Being goofy because that's what we do!

ちょっとふざけてます！

However if you look closely, we are trying to mimic the Nebuta displayed behind us.

良く見ると私たちはねぶたの真似をしてるだけだ。

Touristy pic / 観光用の写真

I've been photo bombed!

知らないあいだに妹も写真に入ってる。

Inside the hot spring along the walls are photos of Sukayu from the past.

酸ヶ湯温泉の壁に昔の写真も飾られてる。

An early bus to take you to the hot spring.

初期の交通手段ではないでしょうか。

You can spot "snow monsters" on Hakkoda Mountain in the winter. Even now you can see them.

八甲田山の冬に”スノーモンスター”が現れる。現在でも現れます。

I don't think the building has changed much over the years.

建物は昔からあんまり変わらない感じがする。

When people were not so modest.

昔の人たちって、混浴はあんまり気にしてなかったみたいですね。

After bath ice cream break.

お風呂上がりのアイス。

More interesting displays in the lobby. This is a pair of wooden skis from the 1930s.

ほかに面白いものも展示されてる。これは１９３０年代の板スキー。

Ticket vending machine for the hot spring.

入浴券の販売機。

Meanwhile, back outside.

お風呂上がって外にでると。

Yes, there is a small building underneath all that snow.

はい、なんかの建物が雪で埋められてる。

Good-bye Sukayu. See you next week with my mother!

さらば酸ヶ湯温泉。また来週お母さんとまた来ます！

And now it's time to head back to the city so my sister's adventure can continue.

そして、妹の青森冒険が続くよう、青森市に戻ります。