Many people imagine that the beautiful snowy landscapes of Mt. Myoko and the mountains of Shinetsu and hot springs go hand in hand. The hot springs in Japan's hometown of Shinshu have a long history and are home to many famous hot springs that have fostered hot spring culture. So, if you go skiing in the Shinetsu area, I'd like to introduce some hot springs in and around the resort that you'll definitely want to soak in.
[Near Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort]
Nozawa Onsen (Nagano Prefecture)
Enjoy visiting 13 outdoor baths after-hours
Nozawa Onsen is a hot spring town full of Japanese atmosphere and one of the largest ski resorts in Japan. Speaking of Nozawa Onsen, after skiing, you can enjoy walking around the hot spring town, soaking your feet in a footbath, or visiting one of the 13 public baths. The source is a slightly alkaline, 100% natural hot spring. The 13 outdoor hot springs dotted around the village have different spring qualities, such as simple sulfur springs and sulfur-containing sodium/calcium sulfate springs, and have a variety of effects. It is free to use and has long been a part of the local community, providing an opportunity to interact with the villagers.
Nozawa Onsen Outdoor bath
usage hours: December to March 6:00 to 23:00 (closed every Wednesday)
Fee: Free
◆ Official website / https://nozawakanko.jp/about/hot_spring/sotoyu/
Nozawa Onsen Sparina'' is a great day trip hot spring facility for days when you can't go up the mountain.
Nozawa Onsen Sparina, located next to the 1st and 2nd parking lots, is a hot spring complex that is popular with après-skiers and families. You can enjoy a wide variety of hot springs, including a large open-air bath that looks like a swimming pool, an open-air bath with a view of natural hot springs, indoor baths for men and women, and a sauna. There is also a space where you can take a nap, making it convenient for day trips. At the attached restaurant, Chantelle, the original menu using Nozawana greens, a specialty of Nozawa Onsen, is also popular. The fitness gym will also open from December 9, 2024, and on days when you can't go skating due to bad weather, you can relax for half a day or do some conditioning training.
Nozawa Onsen Sparina
Hours: Winter 14:00-20:30
Price: Adults 900 yen (general bathing)
◆Official website/ https://nozawaski.com/spa/
Magaku Onsen (Nagano Prefecture)
A secret hot spring in the sky with a spectacular view of northern Shinshu
Magaku Onsen, located in Kijimadaira Village near Nozawa Onsen, is a secret hot spring known only to those in the know for its open-air bath with a scenic view like the one in the photo. It is a famous hot spring where you can enjoy the natural beauty of Northern Shinshu in all seasons, and it was ranked 4th in the country in the scenic category of the Hot Spring General Election, a hot spring area revitalization project sponsored by five ministries including the Ministry of the Environment. Welcome drinks and popsicles are served free of charge, and guests can relax on the observation terrace after taking a bath. Bath towels, face towels, and amenities are also abundant, and although there is no restaurant attached, there is gelato made with milk and fruit from Kijimadaira so you can enjoy the local flavor.
Maguse Onsen
Hours: 10:00-19:00
Fee: Adults 1,000 yen
◆Official website: https://maguse-onsen.com/?member-etc
Togari Onsen Akatsuki no Yu (Nagano Prefecture)
Outdoor bath 1 minute walk from Kijimadaira Ski Resort Pegasus Slope
An outdoor bath that is just a 1-minute walk from the Kijimadaira Ski Resort and Pegasus Slope, which is located next to Nozawa Onsen. There is also a large public bath and open-air bath. There is a restaurant and a shop selling Togari souvenirs. The natural hot spring that gushes out from 1,081 meters underground is a slightly yellow, odorless, slightly alkaline simple hot spring. It has benefits such as beautifying the skin, relieving fatigue, and treating neuralgia and arthritis.
Business hours: 11:00-20:00
Togari Onsen
Akatsuki no Yu Usage hours: 11:00-20:00
Price: Adults 700 yen
◆Official website: https://www.togarionsen.jp/tour/akatuki/
[Inside Madarao Kogen Ski Resort]
Madarao Kogen Onsen (Nagano Prefecture)
Private natural hot spring inside Madarao Kogen Hotel
This is a private natural hot spring located within the Madarao Kogen Hotel, which is located in front of the slopes of the Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, and is open to not only hotel guests but also day visitors. There is also an indoor bath, an open-air bath, and a sauna. Effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, sensitivity to cold, recovery from fatigue, etc. The highly alkaline hot water is less irritating and feels soft to the touch, leaving your skin feeling smooth! Bath towels and face towels are available for rental.
Madarao Kogen Onsen
usage hours: 6:00-10:00 / 12:00-16:00 / 20:00-23:00
Price: Adults 1,500 yen
◆ Official website / https://www.madarao.jp/hotel/ hot-spring
[Shiga area]
In the olden days, Shiga Kogen was the most representative area in Japan when it came to skiing. The most appealing thing about skating is its "incredible scale." The total ski area of the 18 ski resorts is 425 ha. It is large enough to fit 10 Tokyo Disneyland buildings, making it without a doubt the largest in Japan. Unlimited skiing on 84 courses with one common lift ticket! It is by far the best in Japan in terms of scale and reasonable prices.
Speaking of Shiga, it is the hot spring plateau. There are many famous hot springs such as Kuma-no-Yu, Ishi-no-Yu, and Happo-no-Yu. As an example, we will introduce a list of hot springs in the Shiga area that can be used on a day trip, including one from Kumanoyu. In addition, 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 makes Shiga known to the world.
Kumanoyu Hotel (Nagano Prefecture)
A rare jade-colored hot spring in Japan
The official hotel of the ski resort, Kumanoyu Hotel, a 3-minute walk away, is famous for its hot springs, which are said to be the oldest hot springs in the Shiga Highlands and are fed directly from their own source. It came to be called ``Kuma-no-Yu'' because of a local anecdote that a bear cub with an injured leg healed its wounds in this hot spring, and is said to have been loved by many literary figures and artists, including the poet Akiko Yosano. It's a traditional hot spring.
The hot water is a beautiful jade color and is rare even in Japan. ``Hekiraku'' consists of an indoor bath made of Japanese cypress wood that has an impressive and dignified appearance, and an outdoor rock bath with a waterfall flowing right next to it. There are two hot springs: Suidama, which has an indoor bath with plenty of sparkling jade-colored hot water, and an outdoor bath that blocks out the lights so you can see the beautiful starry sky on clear nights. The atmosphere is irresistible, like a model for Japanese hot springs.
Kumanoyu Hotel
Hours: 12:30-15:30 (Weekdays) 12:30-15:00 (Saturdays and Holidays)
Price: Adults 1,500 yen (Towel included)
◆Official website/ https://www.kumanoyu.co .jp/hotel/index.html
Hot springs available for day trips in the Shiga area
| name | area | Bathing equipment | price |
| Shiga no Yu Hotel http://www.shiganoyu.com | Sun Valley, Maruike, Lotus Pond | Indoor bath | Adult 500 yen |
| Hotel Ichibokaku http://www.ichibokaku.jp/ | Kuma no Yu/Hotaru Hot Spring | Indoor bath/outdoor bath | Adult 800 yen |
| Shiga Kogen White Hot Spring Keikoku no Yu https://www.keikokunoyu.com/ | Loquat Pond Giant | Indoor bath/outdoor bath | Adult 1,00 yen |
| Hotel Shiga Sunvalley http://www.shigasunvally.com/ | Sun Valley, Maruike, Lotus Pond | Indoor bath, sauna, private bath | Adult 950 yen |
| Shiga Swiss Inn | Hatsubo Onsen, Bunadaira, Takamagahara | Indoor bath/outdoor bath | Adult 1,000 yen |
| Shiga Palace Hotel http://www.shigapalace.co.jp/ | Kuma no Yu/Hotaru Hot Spring | Indoor bath | Adult 800 yen |
| Shiga Park Hotel http://www.shiga-park.co.jp/ | Hatsubo Onsen, Bunadaira, Takamagahara | Indoor bath/sauna | Adult 800 yen |
| Hotel Berg http://www.shigakogen.jp/berg/index.html | Loquat Pond Giant | Indoor bath/sauna | Adult 500 yen |
| Nishihoppo Onsen Hotel http://shigakogen.jp/nishihoppo/ | Hatsubo Onsen, Bunadaira, Takamagahara | Indoor bath | Adult 700 yen |
| Kidoike Onsen Hotel http://www.kidoike.com/ | Kidoike area | Indoor bath | Adult 600 yen |
[Near Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort]
Onsen Myoko Mountain Village Hot Spring Inn Kofukan (Niigata Prefecture)
A historic hot spring inn that was founded in 1923 and uses natural hot springs. The indoor bath is made of wood, stone, and mosaic tiles, giving off a retro-inspired scent and wind, and the open-air bath with such a spectacular view is appealing. There are lodging plans that include lift and gondola tickets at a discounted price. Benefits: 20% rental discount and 10% lesson discount. When it's not crowded, you can stop by and take a bath.
Myoko Mountain Village Hot Spring Inn Kofukan
Hours of Use: (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 Koshi no Yu Kyukamura Myoko (Niigata Prefecture)
A bath with a snowy view overlooking Mt. Myoko, one of the 100 Famous Mountains.
It is accessible in about 15 minutes by car from Seki Onsen Ski Resort, and is the only hot spring in Seki Onsen that has its own source source. Koshi no Yu is a natural hot spring characterized by red hot spring flowers, which are effective for neuralgia and skin diseases. The large public bath overlooks Mt. Myoko, one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, and the view of Mt. Myoko that changes with the seasons, including the snowy scenery and autumn leaves while soaking in the bathtub, is spectacular. Kyukamura Myoko is a complex facility where you can stay, eat, experience activities, camp, ski, and experience Myoko's nature throughout the year. There is also an outdoor working space that can be used for workdays. It might be a good idea to stay at a place like this and go to the ski resort.
Kyukamura Myoko
Hours: 13:00-18:00
Price: Adults 800 yen
◆Official website: https://www.qkamura.or.jp/myoukou/
[Near Akakura Kanko Resort Ski Resort]
Myoko Kogen Hot Spring Village Ikenotaira Onsen
A blissful combination of craft beer and hot springs
This spa facility is attached to Ikenotaira Onsen Alpenbrick Resort and is available for day trips. The hot spring that gushes out from Minami Jigokudani on Mt. Myoko is a simple, colorless and transparent hot spring that contains sulfur. The open-air bath is filled with hot spring ingredients mixed with black mud from the source, which will warm you from the core of your body. Effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, bruises, sensitivity to cold, etc. Alpenbrick Snow Resort is also famous for producing craft beer. At Tatra-kan, a beer factory restaurant where you can enjoy freshly brewed Myoko Kogen Alpine Brick Beer on draft, you can enjoy a sumptuous buffet while drinking delicious local beer.
Alpenblick Spa Day trip hot spring
usage hours: 7:00-22:30
Price: Adults 800 yen
◆Official website: https://www.alpenblick-resort.com/spa
[In Lotte Arai Resort]
starry sky hot spring
An open-air bath where you can enjoy a starry sky
``Hoshizora Onsen'' in Lotte Arai Resort is a natural hot spring that comes from 1,750 meters underground, and is slightly alkaline, gentle on the skin, and has excellent moisturizing properties. As the name suggests, it is fully equipped with an open-air bath with a view of the starry sky, a Jacuzzi, and a dry mist sauna. There is also a SPA, heated pool, gym, and children's playroom, so you can enjoy the ultimate in relaxation after a day of skiing, or even on days when the weather is too bad to go up the mountain. I'm glad that you can use it for a day trip.
Starry sky hot spring
usage hours: 13:00-23:00 (weekdays) | 11:00-23:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays)
Price: Adults 1,650 yen
◆ Official website / https://www.lottehotel.com/arai -resort/ja/facilities/hoshizora-onsen.html
[Charmant Hiuchi Soba]
Sakuchi Onsen Gongenso
If you're heading back to Charmant Hiuchi, this is the place.
It is located close to the Charmant Hiuchi Ski Resort and can be used for day trips. There is an elegant open-air bath, indoor bath, and mist sauna. There is also a rest space, and delivery services such as Sasazushi are also available. You can relax and enjoy the snowy scenery.
Isakuchi Onsen Gongenso
Usage hours: 9:00-19:00
Fee: 600 yen for adults
◆Official website: https://www.city.itoigawa.lg.jp/item/33483.htm
[Inside Cupid Valley]
Yukidaruma Onsen Kubigino
Afterward, you can relax and unwind at Yukidaruma Onsen Kubigino, located within the resort. The hot springs are fed directly from the source, and the yellow-greenish-brown sodium and calcium chloride springs are effective for relieving muscle and joint pain. If you present your season ticket or same-day lift ticket, you will receive a 500 yen discount for adults.
Yukidaruma Onsen Kubigino
Operating hours: 12:00-18:00 (closed every Monday)
Fee: 600 yen for adults
◆Official website: https://www.yukidaruma-kogen.com/winter/spa.html