Activities - Others

(NOT TRANSLATE YET) Hike-in to Honzawa Onsen's Above-the-Clouds Bath
: 泡の湯

Matsumoto/Northern Alps

Description

Nagano has more day-use onsens than any other prefecture. So it is fitting that there are some pretty unusual and unique onsen baths in Nagano. And everyone in Nagano loves to soak in onsens -- even the monkeys (c.f. the world-famous snow monkeys at Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park). There's even a book on Nagano's Top 100 Day-Use Hot Springs (https://www.createspace.com/4086253).
Japan's Highest Elevation Open-Air Onsen, Honzawa, requires a 1 hour hike to reach, but, oh, is it worth it!

Recommendation

Located in the upper reaches of Mt. Yatsugatake, Honzawa Onsen is reached by a 1+ hour hike. At 2,150 meter elevation, it is the highest outdoor bath in all of Japan. (The outdoor bath's name "Unjo no Yu" means "Above the Clouds".) And it is just a bath -- no changing room or anything. But the view of the adjacent sulphurous river and remote location add up to one of Nagano's most iconic onsen baths.

Details

  • 50 people
Hours
Unjo no Yu outdoor bath: Sunrise to sunset.
Lodge's indoor baths: morning to 8pm
Date(s)
Lodge operates year-round.
Cost / Price of Admission
600 yen for Unjo no Yu outdoor bath, 600-800 yen for Lodge's indoor baths.
Reservations
Not required.
# of Participants
1+
Foreign Languages
English

Notes

Unjo no Yu outdoor bath is mixed bathing with no changing rooms. 水着は大丈夫?　Separate indoor baths available at the lodge.

Contact

tel : +81(0)263-93-2101fax : +81(0)263-93-2339Official site

Access / Location

By Train
From Matsumoto Matsumoto Electric Railway Kamikochi Line, By Car: From Saku Minami IC on the Chubu Odan Expwy, take Route 142 south 1.7km to Route 141 (Atobe signal) and turn right. Proceed south 20.7km and turn right on to Route 480 (Matsubarako intersection). Go up 8.8km to the junction with Route 299 and the road to Inagoyu and turn left (Inagoyu road). At 4.1km take the road to the right (posted "Honzawa 10km"). At 3.3km, you will reach a parking lot. Park here if 2WD and walk the dirt road (40 min. on foot) or if 4WD, continue on the dirt road to the gate and park. From there, it is 60~80 minutes on foot to Honzawa Lodge.
By Train: From Matsubarako Station on the JR Koumi Line, take bus to Inagoyu stop (2 per day, 15-20 min., operates mid-April to November). Ask to be dropped off at 'Honzawa Onsen Iriguchi' for the 40 + 60~80 walk mentioned above.
By Car
From Matsumoto IC, 
Address
Inside the National Park, Umijiri, Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano Pref. 384-1301　 390-1515

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