Okuhida onsen, deep in the Japan Alps, is actually not one place but 5 onsen towns.
Hirayu onsen, is the largest, and the transport hub.
Fukuji onsen, relatively new but with more traditional style ryokan made from reclaimed materials.
Shin Hirasyu onsen, 2nd largest.
Tochio onsen, mainly minshuku here.
Shin Hotaka onsen, at the base of Mt Hotaka, furthest back.
Although I planned to stay here from the very beginning, I didn't finalise the booking till late January. That's when I found availability at Yumoto Choza.
This being Japan, I didn't expect early check in. And I knew there's pretty much nothing else in Okuhida onsen. So I bought bus ticket to leave Matsumoto at 1.05pm.
Unfortunately the morning was rained-off...
Lunch was Miso ...actually I'm not going to say what it was...you guys can have a guess
Only about 10 boarded the bus to Takayama.
Note: to get to Fukuji onsen one needs to transfer at Hirayu onsen.
Hirayu onsen bus terminal