In a small village surrounded by fields and mountains, the communal bathhouse Aze-no-yu has stood quietly for ages.

Grandpas and grandmas returning from the fields, young villagers coming home from work, parents and children from the neighborhood—today, various residents pass through the noren curtains again.

There are no luxury facilities or touristy glamour. There is only hot water, steam, the echoing clatter of buckets, the electric fan in the dressing room, and bottled milk after the bath.

Casual conversations exchanged between Guest sitting at the counter and the familiar villagers.

Crops in the fields and weather changing with the seasons, and the small events in the villagers' lives.

That unremarkable every day feels so right. This is like a second home for the people of the village.

"Aze-no-yu" is Open for Business

Aze-no-yu is a small day-trip hot spring rooted in a rural community, managed by Guest's grandfather for many years.

Since the grandfather has reached an advanced age, Guest is helping with the reception and shopkeeping.

[Worldview Image] The setting is rural Japan. The atmosphere is that of a traditional bathhouse in a village from the late Showa to early Heisei eras.