SIRA-AN HOT SPRING RESORT: A JAPANESE STYLE OUTDOOR ONSEN 温泉 IN ANTIQUE

Sira-an Hot Spring Resort: A Japanese Style Onsen In Antique
By Henry Libo-on 

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Sira-an Hot Spring Resort. The tub pictured here is filled with hot spring water where guests can bathe or just immerse themselves in the tub and while the time away with friends or family members. 

Photo by Henry Libo-on. 

Introduction

In the Japanese way of life, taking a bath in the hot springs is a must because it is their belief that the hot spring water can cure many forms of illnesses of the body. Thus, "Onsen" or hot springs are very common in Japan specifically in the communities near a volcano or mountain area where hot springs are abundant. 

Therefore, Japanese Onsen is a place not only for cleansing the body but also a place to socialize or to be with friends and family members to enjoy and celebrate life. 

In the province where I was born and raised, we have a mountain resort where hot springs are plenty and so the government developed a Hot Springs Bath for the people. We call this place Mambukal. There, there is a swimming pool with hot spring water which was developed through the help of the Japanese. There is also a Bath House with hot spring water. This Bath House was designed and built by the Japanese before the war.  

So, I was surprised to know that in the town of Anini-y, Antique, there is a place where hot springs have been developed where the locals can bathe and enjoy the healing effects of these hot springs. It is an "outdoor Onsen". In Japan, there are "indoor Onsen" and "outdoor Onsen". The most common element here is - Hot Spring. 

So, let me tell you about Sira-an Hot Spring Resort where this Japanese style Onsen is located. 

The photo above shows an outdoor Onsen, Roten-buro in Nakanoshima, Nachikatuusura, Nakayama, Japan. Source: enwikipedia.org  (Wikipedia).

The photo above shows an "Uchiyu" (indoor bath) also an "Okunai Onsen" or indoor Onsen. Source: Wikipedia.

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From my hometown, Bacolod City, I traveled by Fastcraft to Iloilo City on my solo backpacking adventure to Nogas Island, Antique.  The boat left Bacolod at 6:00 in the morning and by 7:00 o'clock I was already in the port of Iloilo. From there, I took a Taxi to the Molo Bus Terminal.  From there, I ride the Ceres Bus bound for San Jose or Anini-y, Antique.  

The travel took two (2) hours.  By a little past nine, I was already at the reception desk of the Sira-an Hot Spring Resort.  I sign the registration log book and arrange for a boat to take me to Nogas Island. 

I was surprised that Sira-an HSR is the jump-off point to Nogas Island.  The reason? The Municipality of Anini-y manages these two tourist spots. 

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Exploring the province of Antique? You must not miss this hot spring resort in Anini-y, the Sira-an Hot Spring.  It is famous for its hot tub.  Visitors enjoy a therapeutic bath in the hot tubs which were built along the coastline and facing the sea and the nearby Nogas Island. 

Experience the therapeutic bath in these hot tubs. 

         

Shed houses and cottages are spread around the resort where tourists can enjoy a relaxing day or spend the night away. 

This viewing deck gives a nice view of the ocean, the swimming pool, and the beach area. At the time of my visit, the swimming pool has no water.  If they fill it with water, it will be a nice place for children and adults to enjoy the day. 

Tourists can order food in this restaurant called Kanza.  

For the adventurous, a floating shed house can be a nice place to gather family and friends for a sumptuous meal and good conversation.  

As I have mentioned earlier, Sira-an Hot Spring Resort is the jump-off point to the nearby Nogas Island.  Nogas is a 24-hectare island with a beautiful beach and crystal clear water.  There are shed houses lining on the beachfront and a restroom. Tourists must bring their food because there are no restaurants on the island.  A boat can be rented for P500.00 round trip.  Just arrange with the boatman when he will be returning to the island to pick you up.  It is nice to go there in the morning and leave the island before sundown. 

Nogas Island from the distance.

The beachfront of Nogas Island.  Your jump-off point is Sira-an Hot Spring Resort. 

HOW TO GET THERE

Siraan Hot Springs Resort is located in the town of Anini-y, Antique, a province of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region, Philippines.

If you are from Manila, Cebu, Negros Island or from Mindanao region, your jump-off point is Iloilo City. 

From Iloilo, proceed to Molo Bus Terminal and ride the Ceres Bus going to San Jose or Anini-y town.  The Ceres Bus has this destination written on the dashboard of the bus for you to see.  Just tell the driver that you are going to Sira-an Hot Springs and he will stop the bus right on the front gate of the resort. 

If you are coming from Caticlan, just take the Ceres Bus and make arrangement for a connecting Bus to the town of Anini-y.  If you are coming from San Jose, Antique, all you have to do is take the Ceres Bus that passes by the town of Anini-y and go down at the gate of Sira-an Hot Spring Resort which is located on the side of the road, pictured here. 

There are cottages at the resort that you can spend the night away.  As far as I know, the last trip of the Ceres Bus that passes by Sira-an HS Resort and goes to Iloilo is 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon. There are passenger Jeepneys too that ply the Anini-y to San Joaquin Town routes. From San Joaquin Bus Terminal look for a Van for hire or Bus that will go to Iloilo City.

The entrance to Sira-an Hot Spring is very visible along the highway where Ceres Bus and Van for hire stop.

Travel time is around 2 hours and 30 minutes.  

By private car and Van For Hire, it will take around 2-hours. 

If you are staying overnight, the resort has cottages that cost around P1,000.00 per night. 

If you want to visit Nogas Island, make the arrangement at the Front Desk for your boat rental which costs around P500.00 round trip.  You can stay on the island from the morning you arrive there and tell the boatman to pick you up any time of the day, so long as you have to be on the mainland on or before 5pm.  The management does not allow an overnight stay on the island when I visited it a few weeks after this blog was written. 

Sira-an Hot Spring Resort can be an ideal place to hold parties and family events.  

Artwork at the entrance of Sira-an Hot Spring Resort.

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All photos by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre. 

Updated December 27, 2018.
Updated August 4, 2019. 

Updated March 17, 2022.