Explore The Heart of Japan: Onsen
Japan Onsen, Rotemburo, Sento and Hot Springs
Japan Onsen are the place to unwind. We focus on local mountain onsen (hot springs) in Niigata and Nagano such as Myoko Onsen, Akakura Onsen, Suginosawa Onsen, Ikenotaira Onsen, Tsubame Onsen, Seki Onsen, Madarao, Iiyama and many more. Jigoku-dani valley between Mt. Myoko and Mt. Mae is the rich source of the local onsen hot springs. In Myoko-Kogen the water is taken from Jigoku-dani Valley and provided to the eight spa areas of Myoko-onsen: Akakura, Shin-Akakura, Ikenodaira, Suginosawa, Myoko, Seki, Tsubame and Matsugamine.
For other onsen areas in Japan check out the map and details at Japanican:
Most of the information below, photos and descriptions are courtesy of Enjoy Niigata and Iiyama City. There's more coming - so email us with details of your favourite onsen in Niigata and Nagano - particularly in Shin'etsu region.
F.A.Q.: Exactly what is an onsen? / Brief instructions if you've never been to an onsen.
Akakura Onsen
Location |
Akakura Village, Myoko-Kogen |   |
|---|---|---|
Benefits |
Effective against diabetes, external wounds, arteriosclerosis, gastrointestinal disorders, nervous disorders, rheumatism, hemorrhoids | |
Description |
Opened in 1816, Akakura Onsen is the largest of Myoko's onsen, and one long popular with Japanese and international tourists. The Akakura Hot Spring is located at the foot of the 800-meter tall Mt. Myoko in Niigata Prefecture and draws its sulfate water from this mountain - one of the hundred famous mountains of Japan with a height of 2454 meters. The spring has two types of water quality and has a good reputation for making the skin beautiful while also curing wounds. The water is renown for its rejuvenating properties, so some Japanese names for it translate as “water for beautiful women” and “natural skin toner”. Taki no Yu (pictured at right) gets about 3000 litres per minute of gensen kakinagashi (pure onsen in and out). It is closed in winter |
Book Onsen Tours via NTA
Shin-Akakura Onsen
Location |
Shin-Akakura Village, Myoko-Kogen | |
|---|---|---|
Benefits |
Effective against neuralgia, aching joints, frozen shoulder syndrome | |
Description |
This hot spring is located in the Shin-Akakura area between Akakura and Ikenotaira in the Akakan Ski Area. It was opened in 1929 by separating it from the Akakura Hot Spring which has its source in Mt. Myoko's northern Jigokudani Valley and Maeyama, a nearby mountain. |  |
Download an Akakura Onsen Map
Myoko Onsen
Location |
Myokokogen, Myoko City | |
|---|---|---|
Benefits |
Effective against chills, nervous disorders, fatigue, rheumatism, chronic women’s diseases | |
Description |
The source spring is located halfway up Mt. Myoko. This area has many hot springs, but Myoko Onsen is the only place where you can enjoy a full view of the beautiful mountain. This hot spring, shared with Ikenotaira Onsen, provides a soft, gentle stimulation to the skin—perfect for those who like a long, lingering soak. |  |
Ike-no-Taira Onsen
Location |
Ikenotaira, Myokokogen, Myoko City |  |
|---|---|---|
Benefits |
Effective against chronic skin diseases, sensitivity to cold, nervous disorders, rheumatism, fatigue, chronic women’s diseases and neuralgia. | |
Description |
There are two public onsen in the area which is found on a plateau approximately 760 meters above sea level. Ike-no-Taira Onsen is located on of Mt. Myoko near Imori Ike (literally, "Salamander Pond") which has long been a symbol of Ikenotaira. The area is dotted with birch trees and has an almost European atmosphere. The 72-degree hot spring water, drawn from the Minamijigokudani Valley, has a sulfurous scent and creates unique black mineral deposits in the shape of flowers. Perfect for relaxing and recuperating from a days skiing or walking. | |
Sekigawa Kyodo Yokujo
Location |
Myoko Onsen, Sekigawa, Myoko-shi, Niigata-ken | |
|---|---|---|
Benefits |
Skin disease, women's diseases | |
Description |
The spring water for Sekigawa Kyodo Yokujo is drawn through a pipe buried in the ground that extends approximately ten kilometres from the Minamijigokudani Valley in the Myoko mountain range. Although the temperature of the water at the source is 72℃, it cools down to approximately 50℃ by the time it arrives in Sekigawa. The water is known to feel smooth and gentle, warming up the body from inside. Approximately five minutes drive from Myokokogen Station |  |
Tsubame Onsen ("Ougon-no-yu" and "Kawara-no-yu")
Location |
Tsubame Onsen, Myoko City (燕温泉 - 黄金の湯) |
|---|---|
Benefits |
Effective against rheumatism, neuralgia, gynecological problems and minor burns |
Description |
Set on a spectacular cliff-side setting, Tsubame Onsen has long been a destination for those desiring the road less traveled. The spring boasts white yubana (flower shaped crystals) in its mineral rich waters. The atmosphere here is somewhat nostalgic - reflecting a Japan of the post-war era. Some Tsubame Onsen hotels and facilities close here in the wintertime due to the famous heavy snows but others offer a unique wintertime experience - some only with access by snow cat. Ougon no Yu (pictured above), which has pools separated by bamboo mats, is one of the two free onsen that can be reached by hiking out on one of the trails leading up to Mt. Myoko from the top of the village area. Take the path to the left for about 3 minutes up a steep hill (the old ski area). The other, Kawara no Yu, is a konyoku rotemburo onsen (mixed gender outdoor bath). For this one you have to take the right track for about ten minutes, cross over a suspension bridge, then take the small river path to the left for about 5 minutes. Pack your own towels (and modesty). |
Alpen Blick Hotel, Ikenotaira
Location |
Alpen Blick Hotel, Ikenotaira Ski Area, Myokokogen |
|---|---|
Qualities |
Natural black mineral waters |
Description |
The hotel has an indoor onsen on the bottom floor plus a small rotemburo (outside bath) on the third floor. Cost is 500 yen for casual use or free for hotel guests |
Tengu Onsen
Location |
Iizuna-kogen, Nagano (turn right near Iizuna Resort night skiing area, then just past the golf club) |
|---|---|
Benefits |
Unknown |
Description |
Large indoor bathing area, small rotemburo with great mountain views, TV lounge, children's game area, as well as a restaurant with frosty mugs of beer. |
Location |
Eguchi, Nakago-ku, Joetsu City |
|---|---|
Benefits |
Effective against cuts, burns and skin diseases |
Description |
This onsen’s spring source contains low levels of edible salt. |
Unohama Onsen
Location |
Kudohama, Ogata-ku, Joetsu City |
|---|---|
Benefits |
Effective against cuts, burns, nervous disorders, rheumatism, skin diseases, chronic women’s diseases |
Description |
Unohama Onsen is a small hot springs town with many inns. Enjoy a superb view of distant Sado Island as the sun sinks into the sea on the horizon. |
Yutaki Onsen
Location |
Take route 117 toward Nozawa Onsen, but take a left at the blue-gray Yutaki Bridge. Cross the bridge and the onsen is just on the other side. | |
|---|---|---|
Description |
Located half way between Iiyama and Nozawa Onsen you can enjoy the views of the Chikuma River as you relax in the simple stone open-air rotemburo. This family-run establishment could quite posibly be the best bargain in the area. For only three hundred yen you get your choice of the indoor bath or outdoor rotemburo. The change of each season is uniquely distinct and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal. |  |
Hokuryu Onsen
Location |
Iiyama City |
|---|---|
Description |
Fabulous views from the outdoor hot spring (rotemburo) of the five peaks of the Hokushin region and the Sekita mountain range. Click here for directions |
Togari Onsen
Location |
Togari Ski Park, Iiyama |
|---|---|
Benefits |
Unknown |
Description |
With two popular onsen - the Akatsuki Bath and the Nozomi Bath |
| Location | Toyota-mura, Iiyama - on the way down from Madarao Toyota Ski Area. | |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits | Unknown |  |
| Description | Madarao-no-yu is a new built municipal hot spring where one can enjoy a relaxing mountain onsen that is located at more than 1000 metres above sea level. Opening times are 10am-8pm (closed on Tuesdays). Admission: adults - 500 yen and children - 350 yen. | |
Madarao Kogen Hotel
| Location | Situated inside the Madarao Kogen Hotel (adjacent to skifields) | |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits | Unknown |  |
| Description | People who are not guests of the hotel can still use this natural onsen. Opening times are 7am-10am and then 12pm-10pm (every day). Admission (inc. use of towel): adults - 800 yen and children - 500 yen. | |
Renge Spa
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|---|---|
| Location | Himekawa, Itoigawa City |
| Access | Catch a local bus (mid-July to mid-August) from Himekawa Station or a shuttle from Minami-Otari Station. See map (Japanese) |
| Benefits | Unknown |
| Description | Renge Spa is series of hot springs located high up in the mountains bordering Niigata and Nagano. There is one inside onsen plus a series of mixed outside onsen that require a hike of 5-10 minutes each. There is a basic hotel available to stay in for 9,000 yen p.p. including two meals. Onsen admission for adults - 800 yen and children - 400 yen. Please note the onsen is only open from late-spring to mid-autumn. |
More coming soon - email us with details and/or reviews of your favourite Onsen & Hot Springs in Myokokogen, Myoko, Lake Nojiri, Joetsu, Iiyama, Nagano and Niigata
Japan Monkey Onsen Park
A visit to the area would not be complete without seeing the Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑 Jigokudani Yaen Kōen) in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture. See here for more details.
Download a Shibu Onsen hot spring map here
