Onsen in the Snow

I took a drive up to Yubara to join some friends for a dip in a local outdoor hot spring (Onsen). This particular onsen is free, welcome to all (Even those with tattoos, normally a no-no for onsens) and unlike some onsens is outside. Normally onsens are split by gender, with a side for women and one for men, as, for those of you who don't know, you onsen only in your birthday suit (Nude). This onsen is mixed, but the ladies do tend to use towel like robes to hide their modesty, and frantically I don't blame them due to the blatantly, leering, old, Japanese, men.

I had want to try this onsen for a while as it's quite famous and because it's outside, by the side of a river.  I had also heard it forecast for snow and thought it would be quite an experience to be outside in a hot bath in the snow. There wasn't much snow when we got there, but as soon as we got a mini snow blizzard hit whiting out the view. It was quite incredible and an onsen is a great place to be on such a cold day.  If only I had one in Shoo.