The hot springs of Shinshu, the birthplace of Japan, boast a long history and are home to a collection of famous hot springs that have fostered the hot spring culture. Here we will introduce hot springs in and around resorts that are perfect for soaking in when you go skiing in the Shinetsu area
[Near Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort]
Nozawa Onsen (Nagano Prefecture)
Afterwards, enjoy a tour of the 13 outdoor baths
Nozawa Onsen is a hot spring town brimming with Japanese atmosphere and boasts one of Japan's largest ski resorts. After skiing, Nozawa Onsen is a great place to stroll around the hot spring town, soak your feet in a footbath, or tour the 13 outdoor baths. The source is weakly alkaline, 100% natural hot spring water. The 13 outdoor baths scattered throughout the village vary in water quality, from simple sulfur springs to sulfur-containing sodium and calcium sulfate springs, and offer a variety of benefits. Free to use, they have long been part of the local community, and are an opportunity to interact with the villagers
Nozawa Onsen Outdoor Bath
Hours: December to March 6:00 to 23:00
Fee: Free
Official website: https://nozawakanko.jp/about/hot_spring/sotoyu/
Nozawa Onsen Spalina: A perfect day trip hot spring facility for those days when you can't climb the mountain
Located next to Parking Lots 1 and 2, Nozawa Onsen Spalina is a popular hot spring complex for families and those coming after skiing. Enjoy a wide variety of hot springs, including a large open-air bath like a swimming pool, a natural hot spring open-air bath with a view, separate indoor baths for men and women, and a sauna. There's also space for naps, making it convenient for day trips. The attached restaurant, Chantelle, is also popular for its original menu featuring Nozawana, a local specialty of Nozawa Onsen. A fitness gym will open on December 9, 2024, so if bad weather keeps you from skiing, you can spend half a day relaxing and doing some conditioning training
Nozawa Onsen Spa Rina
Opening hours: Winter 14:00-20:30
Price: Adults 900 yen (general bathing)
Official website: https://nozawaski.com/spa/
Maguse Onsen (Nagano Prefecture)
A hidden hot spring in the sky with a spectacular view of Northern Shinshu
Located in Kijimadaira Village near Nozawa Onsen, Maguse Onsen is a hidden hot spring known only to those in the know for its open-air baths offering picturesque views like the one in the photo. The natural beauty of Northern Shinshu changes with the seasons, and the famous hot spring was ranked 4th in the nation in the scenic beauty category of the "Hot Spring General Election," a hot spring revitalization project sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment and five other ministries. Welcome drinks and ice creams are served free of charge, and after bathing you can relax on the observation terrace. Bath towels, face towels, and amenities are plentiful, and although there is no dining area on-site, they do offer gelato made with milk and fruit from Kijimadaira so you can enjoy local flavors
Maguse Onsen
opening hours: 10:00-19:00
Price: 1,000 yen for adults
Official website: https://maguse-onsen.com/?member-etc
Togari Onsen Akatsuki no Yu (Nagano Prefecture)
An outdoor bath just a minute's walk from the Pegasus slope at Kijimadaira Ski Resort
This outdoor bath is located just a minute's walk from the Pegasus slope at Kijimadaira Ski Resort, which is next to Nozawa Onsen. There is also a large public bath and an open-air bath. There is also a restaurant and a shop selling Togari souvenirs. The natural hot spring that springs from 1,081 meters underground is a slightly yellow, odorless, weakly alkaline simple hot spring. It is said to be effective for beautiful skin, fatigue recovery, neuralgia, and arthritis.
Opening hours: 11:00-20:00
Togari Onsen
Akatsuki no Yu Opening hours: 11:00-20:00
Price: Adults 800 yen
Official website: https://www.togarionsen.jp/tour/akatuki/
[Inside Madarao Kogen Ski Resort]
Madarao Kogen Hot Springs (Nagano Prefecture)
Madarao Kogen Hotel's private natural hot spring
This natural hot spring is located inside the Madarao Kogen Hotel, directly in front of the slopes of Madarao Kogen Ski Resort. It is open to both overnight guests and day visitors. There are indoor and outdoor baths, as well as a sauna. It is effective for relieving neuralgia, muscle pain, sensitivity to the cold, and fatigue. The highly alkaline water is gentle and soft to the touch, leaving your skin feeling smooth! Bath towels and face towels are available for rental
Madarao Kogen Hot Springs
Hours of Operation: 6:00-10:00 / 12:00-16:00 / 20:00-23:00
Price: 1,500 yen for adults
Official website: https://www.madarao.jp/hotel/hot-spring
[Shiga area]
Shiga Kogen has long been synonymous with skiing, making it one of Japan's most iconic areas. The main attraction of skiing is its sheer scale. The total skiable area of the 18 ski resorts is a whopping 425 hectares. It is the size of 10 Tokyo Disneylands, making it the largest in Japan. You can ski on 84 courses with a single common lift ticket! Its scale and affordability are undoubtedly the best in Japan
Shiga is also known for its hot spring plateau, home to many famous hot springs, including Kumanoyu, Ishinoyu, and Hatsubo. Here's a list of hot springs in the Shiga area that are available for day trips, including one in Kumanoyu. Jigokudani Monkey Park, said to be the only place in the world where you can see wild Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs, has become an icon that has made Shiga known around the world
Kumanoyu Hotel (Nagano Prefecture)
A rare jade-green hot spring, even in Japan
The official hotel of the ski resort, Kumanoyu Hotel, is a 3-minute walk away, and its hot spring is said to be the oldest hot spring in Shiga Kogen, with its own free-flowing hot spring. It got its name "Bear's Bath" from a local anecdote about a baby bear who injured its leg and came to heal in the hot spring, and it is a traditional hot spring that has been loved by many writers and artists, including the poet Yosano Akiko
The beautiful jade green water is a rare gem even in Japan. "Hekiraku" is an indoor bath made of cypress wood with a dignified and impressive appearance, and an open-air bath surrounded by rocks with a waterfall flowing directly beside it. There are two other baths: "Suigyoku" and "Suigyoku," an indoor bath filled with sparkling jade green water and an outdoor bath that is designed to block out light, allowing you to enjoy a beautiful starry sky on clear nights. This atmosphere is irresistible, like a model of a Japanese hot spring
Kumanoyu Hotel
Hours: 12:30-15:30 (weekdays), 12:30-15:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Fee: 1,500 yen for adults (towel included)
Official website: https://www.kumanoyu.co.jp/hotel/index.html
Day-trip hot springs in the Shiga area
| name | area | Bathing facilities | Fee |
| Shiga no Yu Hotel http://www.shiganoyu.com | Sun Valley, Maruike Pond, Hasuike Pond | Indoor bath | Adults: 500 yen |
| Hotel Ichibokaku http://www.ichibokaku.jp/ | Kumanoyu and Hotaru Onsen | Indoor bath and open-air bath | Adults: 800 yen |
| Shiga Kogen White Hot Springs Keikoku no Yuhttps ://www.keikokunoyu.com/ | Loquat Pond Giant | Indoor bath and open-air bath | Adults: 1,000 yen |
| Hotel Shiga Sun Valley http://www.shigasunvally.com/ | Sun Valley, Maruike Pond, Hasuike Pond | Indoor bath, sauna, private bath | Adults: 950 yen |
| Shiga Swiss Inn | Happo Onsen, Bunadaira, and Takamagahara | Indoor bath and open-air bath | Adults: 1,000 yen |
| Shiga Palace Hotel http://www.shigapalace.co.jp/ | Kumanoyu and Hotaru Onsen | Indoor bath | Adults: 800 yen |
| Shiga Park Hotel http://www.shiga-park.co.jp/ | Happo Onsen, Bunadaira, and Takamagahara | Indoor bath and sauna | Adults: 800 yen |
| Hotel Berg http://www.shigakogen.jp/berg/index.html | Loquat Pond Giant | Indoor bath and sauna | Adults: 500 yen |
| Nishihoppo Hot Spring Hotel http://shigakogen.jp/nishihoppo/ | Happo Onsen, Bunadaira, and Takamagahara | Indoor bath | Adults: 700 yen |
| Kidoike Onsen Hotel http://www.kidoike.com/ | Kidoike area | Indoor bath | Adults: 600 yen |
[Near Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort]
Myoko Onsen Myoko Yamazato no Yuyado Kofukan (Niigata Prefecture)
This historic hot spring inn was founded in 1922 and uses free-flowing hot spring water. The indoor baths, "Ka" and "Kaze," are retro-styled with hot spring wood, stone, and mosaic tiles, and the open-air bath offers a spectacular view. There is a special accommodation plan that includes a lift and gondola ticket. Benefits: 20% discount on rentals and 10% discount on lessons. When it's not crowded, you can also drop in and take a bath
Myoko Yamazato no Yuyado Kofukan
Opening hours: (drop-in bathing): 12:00-20:30
Price: Adults 800 yen
Official website: https://kofukan.jp/about.html#page3
[Near Seki Onsen Ski Resort]
Seki Onsen Koshinoyu Kyukamura Myoko (Niigata Prefecture)
A snow-viewing bath overlooking Mount Myoko, one of the 100 famous mountains
Located about a 15-minute drive from Seki Onsen Ski Resort, this is the only hot spring in Seki Onsen with its own source. Echigo no Yu is a natural hot spring characterized by red hot spring deposits, which are effective for neuralgia and skin diseases. The large public bath overlooks Mt. Myoko, one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains, and the view of the snowy landscape, autumn leaves, and the changing appearance of Mt. Myoko throughout the seasons while soaking is a wonderful experience. Kyuka Mura Myoko is a complex that offers accommodation, meals, hands-on activities, camping, skiing, and the opportunity to experience the nature of Myoko throughout the year. There is also an outdoor working space, making it suitable for workation. Staying at a place like this and going to the ski resort might be a good idea
Kyukamura Myoko
Hours: 13:00-18:00
Fee: Adults 800 yen
Official website: https://www.qkamura.or.jp/myoukou/
[Near Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Resort]
Ikenotaira Hot Springs, Myoko Kogen Hot Springs
The blissful combination of craft beer and hot springs
This spa facility is attached to Ikenotaira Onsen Alpen Brick Resort and is open for day trips. The hot springs that spring from Minami Jigokudani Valley on Mt. Myoko are colorless, transparent, and simple hot springs containing sulfur. The open-air bath is a black mud bath filled with hot spring ingredients mixed with black mud from the source, warming you from the inside out. It is effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, bruises, and sensitivity to the cold. Alpen Brick Snow Resort is also famous for producing craft beer. At the Tatrakan brewery restaurant, you can enjoy freshly brewed Myoko Kogen Alpen Brick beer on draft, while also enjoying a hearty buffet
Alpen Blick Spa Day-trip hot springs
Hours: 7:00-22:30
Fee: Adults 800 yen
Official website: https://www.alpenblick-resort.com/spa
[Inside Lotte Arai Resort]
Starry Sky Hot Springs
An open-air bath where you can enjoy the starry sky
The "Hoshizora Onsen" within Lotte Arai Resort is a natural hot spring that springs from a source 1,750 meters underground. It is slightly alkaline, gentle on the skin, and has excellent moisturizing properties, resulting in beautiful skin. As the name suggests, it is fully equipped with an open-air bath with a view of the starry sky, a jacuzzi, a dry mist sauna, and more. There is also a SPA, heated swimming pool, gym, and children's playroom, so you can enjoy the ultimate relaxation here, not only after a day of skiing, but also on days when the weather is bad and you can't go up the mountain. It is also great that day trips are available
Hoshizora Onsen
opening hours: 13:00-23:00 (weekdays) | 11:00-23:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Price: Adults 1,300 yen
◆ Official website: https://www.lottehotel.com/arai-resort/ja/facilities/hoshizora-onsen.html
[Charmant Hiuchi Soba]
Sakaguchi Onsen Gongenso
If you're coming back from Charmant Hiuchi, come here
Located close to Charmant Hiuchi Ski Resort, it is also available for day trips. It has a charming open-air bath, an indoor bath, and a mist sauna. There is also a rest area, and delivery of sasa sushi and other dishes is available. You can relax and enjoy the snowy scenery
Sakaguchi Onsen Gongenso
Opening hours: 9:00-19:00
Price: Adults 600 yen
Official website: https://www.city.itoigawa.lg.jp/item/33483.htm
[Inside Cupid Valley]
Yukidaruma Onsen Kubikino
Afterwards, you can relax at Yukidaruma Onsen Kubikino, located within the resort. The hot spring water flows directly from the source, and the yellow-greenish brown sodium and calcium chloride spring is effective for relieving muscle and joint pain. If you present your season pass or lift ticket for the day, you can receive a 500 yen discount for adults
Yukidaruma Onsen Kubikino
Opening hours: 12:00-18:00 (closed every Monday)
Fee: Adults 600 yen
Official website: https://www.yukidaruma-kogen.com/winter/spa.html