Author: Hong Kong er Basic bitch

「Niijima」（新島）這個詞彙在中文語境下主要指代兩個截然不同的事物，分別是日本的地理地點以及知名電子遊戲中的虛構角色。

1. 地理：日本東京的「新島」(Niijima)

新島是隸屬於東京都的離島，位於東京南方約 160 公里處，屬於伊豆群島的一部分，同時也是「富士箱根伊豆國立公園」的範圍。

• 自然與觀光特色：

• 衝浪聖地：新島以其優質的浪況聞名，特別是「羽伏浦海岸」，是日本極具代表性的衝浪點，擁有綿延約 6.5 公里的白色沙灘。

• 溫泉體驗：島上有著名的「湯之濱露天溫泉」，其建築外觀模仿古希臘神殿，且 24 小時免費開放，遊客可以一邊泡湯一邊欣賞海景。

• 獨特藝術與岩石：島上盛產「抗火石」（Koga Stone），當地人利用這種石材製作雕像（稱為「摩亞」），並有相關的玻璃工藝體驗。

• 交通方式：

• 飛機：從東京調布機場搭乘小型飛機，航程約 40 分鐘。

• 船隻：從東京竹芝碼頭搭乘高速噴射船，航程約 2 小時 20 分鐘

龍神巴士 前往「本宮大社前」或「湯之峰温泉」方向的巴士。

在「川湯温泉」巴士站下車。

The most affordable option currently available near Kawayu Onsen is Iruka Onsen Hotel Seiryuusou, with rates starting at HK$277 per night.

For alternative options in the area, here are a few other selections:

• Sansuikan Kawayu Matsuya: A low-key hot spring hotel featuring an indoor bathhouse, starting at HK$356.

• J-Hoppers Kumano Yunomine: Located in a wooded setting, offering both dorms and private rooms along with three onsen baths, starting at HK$392.

Kawayu Onsen Fujiya 川湯温泉富士屋旅館

• The Vibe: Polished, premium 4-star traditional riverside hotel.
• Highlights: Offers excellent indoor and outdoor thermal pools. The location is directly in front of the riverbed, making it perfect to step right outside to the winter Sennin-buro or dig your own hot spring pit.
• Amenities: Free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a bar.

---

To get to Kawayu Onsen in Wakayama, you must first travel by train to either Kii-Tanabe Station(west coast) or Shingu Station (east coast), and then transfer to a local bus into the mountains.

---

currentlyhannah youtube – free campsite

Kawayu Onsen (Easier Access)

Kawayu is located in the Kumano area of the Kii Peninsula,

川湯温泉は紀伊半島の熊野エリアに位置しています。

前往川湯温泉（Kawayu Onsen）通常以「紀伊田辺駅」為主要交通門戶。以下是具體的交通規劃方式：

1. 前往「紀伊田辺駅」（JR Kii-Tanabe Station）

首先，你需要搭乘 JR 鐵路到達和歌山縣的 紀伊田辺站：

紀伊田邊站周邊環境相當便利，主要是作為前往熊野古道或各地溫泉區（如川湯、湯之峰）的交通樞紐。該區域生活機能不錯，有許多在地的小餐館和商店。
如果您在尋找環境「和平」（意即安靜、舒適且放鬆）的酒店，以下為您整理周邊的幾間住宿選擇：

Hotel Kii Tanabe

這間飯店在當地評價相當穩定，適合想要一個安靜空間休息的旅客。

• 特色： 房間乾淨整潔，服務品質受到不少好評。
• 優點： 距離車站相對近，且周邊環境相較於鬧區較為沉穩，能提供比較安靜的睡眠環境。

Comfort Hotel Kii Tanabe

如果您偏好連鎖品牌的穩定品質與規格化服務，這是一個非常可靠的選項。

• 特色： 空間設計現代簡約，這類連鎖飯店通常對於隔音和客房設施的控管較為嚴謹。
• 優點： 提供免費早餐，對行程規劃而言非常省心。

Tanabe Station Hotel

這是一間較為傳統且樸實的商務旅館，適合僅需基本住宿需求的旅客。

• 特色： 就在車站旁邊，交通便利性極高。
• 優點： 非常適合清晨需要趕巴士前往熊野地區的旅客。

DJANGO

這是一間氛圍比較特別的旅店（Hostel），可能比較不像傳統酒店那樣安靜，但如果你喜歡與人交流或體驗在地氣氛，這裡會有不同的風情。

• 特色： 設計感強，社交空間較多。
• 注意： 建議視您對「和平」的定義——若您極度重視極致安靜，或許傳統飯店（如上述的 Hotel Kii Tanabe）會比此類社交型旅店更適合您。

Aoi Plaza Hotel

這是一間服務穩定、中規中矩的商務飯店。

• 特色： 位於市區便利位置。
• 優點： 是一個能確保隱私且環境相對單純的住宿點。
  給您的建議：
  如果您追求極致的「和平感」，我會建議選擇 Hotel Kii Tanabe 或 Comfort Hotel Kii Tanabe，因為這兩者的品質較為一致，且較能確保室內的安靜環境。
  請問您對於住宿有什麼特別偏好嗎？例如是否一定要溫泉浴場，或是對於價格區間有特別考量？我可以幫您進一步篩選。

從關西國際機場（KIX）前往紀伊田邊站，最便捷的方式是搭乘鐵路。

主要交通路徑：

• 預估時間： 約 2 小時至 2 小時 30 分鐘（視轉乘時間而定）。
• 建議路線：

1. 從關西機場搭乘 JR 關空快速（Kanku Rapid） 或 南海電鐵 至「日根野站」（Hineno Station）。
2. 在「日根野站」轉乘 JR 特急「黑潮號」（Kuroshio / くろしお），直達「紀伊田邊站」。

注意事項：

• 轉乘重點： 由於特急列車「黑潮號」會在日根野站停靠，這是最順暢的銜接點。請務必確認你的車票包含特急券（Limited Express Ticket）。
• 班次建議： 請務必在出發前使用乘換案內網站（如 Navitime）或 Google Maps 確認即時時刻表，因為往返紀伊半島的特急列車班次間隔固定，錯過可能需要等待一段時間。
• 行李： 如果攜帶較多行李（例如去溫泉區的換洗衣物或攝影器材），搭乘特急列車會比普通電車舒適許多，因為特急列車配有放置行李的空間。
  這條路線非常成熟，對於預計在 2026 年秋季進行紅葉狩的行程來說，這是一個很好的起點。抵達紀伊田邊後，你就可以轉乘巴士前往川湯溫泉了。

• 從大阪（天王寺站）出發： 搭乘 JR 特急列車「黑潮號」（Kuroshio / くろしお），約需 2 小時至 2 小時 30 分鐘。
• 從新大阪站出發： 同樣搭乘「黑潮號」，約需 2 小時 40 分鐘左右。

2. 轉乘巴士前往川湯温泉

抵達紀伊田辺站後，你需要轉乘龍神巴士（Ryujin Bus / 龍神バス）：

• 搭乘路線： 在車站前的巴士站搭乘前往「本宮大社前」或「湯之峰温泉」方向的巴士。
• 下車站點： 請在「川湯温泉」巴士站下車。
• 車程： 大約需要 70 至 80 分鐘。
• 貼心提醒： 巴士班次不像城市交通那麼頻繁，建議在出發前先在車站旅遊服務中心索取巴士時刻表，或利用 Google Maps 查看最新的發車時間。

3. 如果你打算自駕（推薦）

如果你在旅行期間有租車，前往川湯温泉會更加方便：

• 自駕優勢： 紀伊半島山區較大，自駕可以靈活安排行程，直接前往比較偏遠的溫泉區，且不需要配合巴士時間。
• 注意事項： 從紀伊田辺市區開往山區（川湯温泉）的路程約需 1 小時至 1 小時 20 分鐘。山區路段較為蜿蜒，請確保有山路駕駛經驗並注意天氣狀況。
  給你的建議：
  由於你預計在 2026 年秋季前往，這段時間該地區的紅葉非常壯觀，建議你在出發前提前確認住宿與交通規劃。如果你需要尋找相關的住宿或是想了解當地有哪些具體的租借工具資訊，隨時可以告訴我。
  你目前是規劃從大阪還是其他城市出發前往呢？我可以幫你更精確地確認相關的交通節點。

which is a well-established tourist destination with better infrastructure.

• Public Transport: You can reach the area via the JR Kisei Main Line to Kii-Tanabe Station, followed by a local bus (approximately 70–80 minutes) that drops you off directly in the hot spring village.

• Support: Because it is a developed onsen village, there are hotels, ryokans, and shops nearby where you can rent shovels or ask for guidance. If you prefer not to rough it entirely, you have the option of staying in a traditional inn and just visiting the river for the digging experience.

Finding a place where you can dig your own hot spring (noyu) is a fantastic, adventurous way to experience Japan’s geothermal nature. There are two primary, well-known locations where this is a tradition:

1. Kawayu Onsen (Wakayama Prefecture)

This is perhaps the most famous location for this experience. Located in the Kumano region, the Oto-gawa River has hot spring water reaching over 70°C bubbling up from the riverbed.

• The Experience: You bring a shovel (or rent one from nearby shops) and dig a hole in the riverbed, creating your own private pool. You then mix in the cool river water to adjust the temperature to your preference.
• Best Time to Visit: From March to November.
• Important Note: In the winter months (December to February), the riverbed is “dammed” by local authorities to create a massive, singular public pool known as the Sennin-buro. During this season, digging your own individual bath is not allowed.

2. Kiriake Onsen (Nagano Prefecture)

Tucked away in the remote Akiyama-go district near the border of Nagano and Niigata, this is a truly “wild” experience.

• The Experience: Much like Kawayu, you find a spot along the Nakatsu River where the hot spring water bubbles up. You use rocks and a shovel to build a dam and adjust the mix of hot spring and cold river water.
• Best Time to Visit: Outside of the spring snow-melt period (usually late spring). It is particularly stunning during the autumn foliage season, which you mentioned is a focus of your upcoming travels.
• Accessibility: This area is quite remote. A car is highly recommended for access, though some local inns may offer limited transportation if you book a stay with them.

Important Tips for Your Adventure

• Equipment: While some nearby inns or tourist centers may rent shovels, it is always a good idea to confirm ahead of time or bring your own if you are driving.
• Safety & Conditions: These are natural environments. Always check with the local tourist office regarding current river conditions or water release schedules (especially at Kiriake), as flooding or heavy rain can make these areas unsafe or inaccessible.
• Etiquette: These are public, natural spaces. Be mindful of others nearby, carry out all your trash, and be aware that there are generally no changing facilities—come prepared with easy-to-change clothing or towels.
• Temperature: The spring water can be extremely hot (often 50°C+), so always test the temperature carefully before stepping in.
  Since you are already planning a Japan trip for the autumn foliage, Kiriake Onsen in Nagano is particularly famous for its vibrant red and yellow leaves—it could be a very memorable addition to your “Geek Grand Tour” or nature explorations.
  Does this sound like the kind of rugged, hands-on experience you are looking for, or were you hoping for something more accessible near one of your planned urban stops?

For Kawayu Onsen specifically, options are often traditional ryokans rather than budget chain hotels, but they provide a very authentic experience. Because the river itself is the main “onsen,” many visitors choose to stay at these inns to enjoy both the natural river experience and the indoor/public baths provided by the hotels.
Here are a few options in and around the Kawayu area that are generally considered accessible and well-suited for a focused, relaxing stay:

1. Kawayu Onsen Midoriya (川湯温泉 みどりや)

This is the most iconic stay in the area and is famous for the Sennin-buro (the massive winter river bath).

• Why it fits: It is situated directly on the riverbank. They have beautiful outdoor hot spring baths that overlook the river.
• Experience: While it is a larger hotel, it offers a traditional Japanese experience. Staying here puts you right at the source of the digging area. It is a great place to balance the “work” of digging your own bath with the luxury of their established facilities.

Also located right in the heart of Kawayu, this is a very reputable, traditional inn.

• Why it fits: It provides a more intimate, quiet environment compared to larger resorts. It is highly regarded for its hospitality and its own onsen baths, which are perfect for warming up after being in the river.
• Atmosphere: Very peaceful and fits well with a goal of mental activation and rest.

• Trade-off: They are simpler, often with shared toilets and fewer amenities, but they are incredibly welcoming and offer home-cooked local meals.
• How to find them: Search specifically for “Kawayu Onsen Minshuku” on travel booking sites or Google Maps. You may need to use a Japanese booking site like Rakuten Travel or Jalan to find the best local rates for these small properties, as many don’t list on international platforms.

A Note on Booking for Autumn

Since you are visiting in late 2026 (the peak of autumn foliage), book as far in advance as possible. These small villages have limited capacity, and they fill up months in advance for the red leaf season.
Pro-Tip for your “Daily 1% Progress”:

For alternative options in the area, here are a few other selections:

• Sansuikan Kawayu Matsuya: A low-key hot spring hotel featuring an indoor bathhouse, starting at HK$356.

• J-Hoppers Kumano Yunomine: Located in a wooded setting, offering both dorms and private rooms along with three onsen baths, starting at HK$392.

are interested in physical vitality, staying in a ryokan like Midoriya or Fujiya allows you to alternate between the natural, rugged river-digging (which is quite a workout!) and the restorative, ready-made mineral baths of the hotel. It’s the perfect recovery routine for your muscles after a day of manual labor in the riverbed.
Would you like me to check for general price ranges for these types of stays, or are you looking for a specific type of environment (e.g., quiet, social, or traditional)?

An insider told the Guardian the Duke of Sussex was “distraught” about the decision and didn’t want his little ones to be “chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane.” website

No, Christopher Columbus did not prove the Earth was round. In fact, it had already been widely accepted as a spherical shape by educated people in Europe for nearly 2,000 years before his 1492 voyage.
The idea that Columbus “proved” the Earth was round is a common historical myth. Here is the reality behind that misconception:

The Ancient Consensus

• The Ancient Greeks: By the 5th century B.C., Greek philosophers like Pythagoras and Aristotle had already deduced that the Earth was a sphere. They arrived at this conclusion through scientific observations, such as:
• Lunar Eclipses: The Earth always casts a round shadow on the moon.
• Constellations: Travelers noticed that different stars were visible from different latitudes.
• The Horizon: Sailors observed that ships disappearing over the horizon sink hull-first, which only happens on a curved surface.
• Scientific Measurement: By the 3rd century B.C., Eratosthenes had famously calculated the circumference of the Earth with impressive accuracy.

What Was Actually Debated?

In 1492, the debate was not about the shape of the Earth, but rather its size.

• The Experts’ Disagreement: Columbus’s contemporaries actually opposed his voyage, but not because they thought he would sail off the edge of the world. They were concerned that he had grossly underestimated the Earth’s circumference.
• A Fatal Calculation Error: Columbus believed the Earth was much smaller than it actually is. He convinced himself that Japan was only about 3,000 miles to the west of Europe, whereas the actual distance is over 12,000 miles. His critics were mathematically correct—had the American continents not been in his way, his fleet likely would have run out of food and water long before reaching Asia.

Why Does the Myth Persist?

The narrative that Columbus “proved the world was round” was popularized largely in the 19th century, most notably by Washington Irving’s 1828 biography of Columbus. Irving included fictionalized accounts of Columbus defending his “discovery” against ignorant scholars who believed in a flat Earth. This story was later adopted by other writers to frame history as a narrative of “science vs. religious superstition,” even though, in reality, no such conflict existed regarding the shape of the planet at that time.