The weather had started out rainy and cold in Hakuba, but had
cleared a bit by midday, so some friends and I decided to take the
drive up through Omachi and up towards the series of dams and onsen
through the Takase Ravine (about 30 minutes outside Hakuba).
There are three main dams, the Omachi, Nanakura and Takase dam itself,
and they form a beautiful backdrop to the drive.  We stopped at
the Kajika Onsen, first taking a stroll alongside the stream, where
Mizubasho, or the unatrractively named in English, "Skunk Cabbage",
were in full foliage and bloom.

The every popular monkeys of the Japanese Alps also made an appearance,
though they don't deign to bathe with you as they do at Jigokudani.

Our timing was perfect, and we had the onsen pretty much to
ourselves.  While they are both lined with cypress wood, "hi no
ki" in Japanese, the inner bath and the outer are fed from different
springs, and there was a noticable difference both in temperature and
in sulphur content.  Both extremely refreshing however, and a
great way to while away a lazy Friday afternoon..

About a 30 minute drive from Hakuba towards Oomachi, and near the route up to Kurobe Dam.