From SnO, we proceeded to a place that is a fairly new attraction, called Blue Pond. I've never seen a body of water this cool blue in hue. Must be some chemical in the stones under the pond.

After this, we checked into Park Hills Hotel, only 10 minutes away. It is supposed to be the largest hotel in the area (with capacity for almost 500 guests) and had both indoor and outdoor onsen with water from the Shirogane hot springs. You're supposed to wear nothing but a yukata to and from your room to the onsen. Once there, it's Adam and Eve style of dressing. V was game to try before dinner, together with fellow tourmate, B. When she returned to the room, she complained it was too hot, so I decided to skip the onsen as I was worried about my high blood pressure.

We had buffet dinner (and breakfast the following day) at the main restaurant. It was packed with people, young and old but more of old, and many were in their yukatas and slippers. There were very few foreigners among the hotel guests so we did get a few polite stares, especially after talking in English.