12 Onsen in Tochigi worth your time

A historic hot spring area in Tochigi featuring diverse mineral waters, scenic suspension bridge views, and unique local finger baths.

What it is

• One of the eleven hot spring districts within the Shiobara Onsenkyo region.
• The name comes from a history of producing salt using natural geothermal heat.
• The area currently hosts two hot spring inns for visitors.
• Eight different sources provide chloride, bicarbonate, and simple hot spring waters.

What to see

• The Nanatsuiwa Suspension Bridge offers views of the surrounding scenic landscape.
• Finger baths built by local volunteers are located near the bridge and bus stop.
• Hot spring sources with temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Celsius.
• The Shiobara Post Office is situated within the hot spring town.

Getting there

• Buses from Nishi-Nasuno Station reach the Shiobara Shiogama stop in 40 minutes.
• The site is a 15-minute drive from the Nishi-Nasuno Shiobara Interchange.

Read more about Shiogama Onsen

A historic riverside hot spring town in Nikko known for alkaline waters and its past as an Edo-period post town.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located at the confluence of the Kinugawa and Ojika rivers.
• Discovered during the Kyoho era of the Edo period as a post town.
• The area features alkaline simple hot spring water known for its smooth quality.
• The town currently hosts approximately ten inns and hotels along the riverbank.

What to see

• Yakushi-no-yu is a public open-air bath situated directly by the river.
• The Onade-ishi stone is a local landmark enshrined within the hot spring town.
• Riverside views of the Ojika River from the various local inns and hotels.

Getting there

• Kawaji-Yumoto Station is a ten-minute walk from the hot spring town.
• Accessible via the Yagan Railway Aizu Kinugawa Line.
• Drivers can reach the area via National Route 121 from the Imaichi Interchange.

Read more about Kawaji Onsen

A lakeside hot spring resort in Nikko offering thermal baths, scenic boat tours, and easy access to the famous Kegon Falls.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located on the north shore of Lake Chuzenji in Nikko.
• A central base for sightseeing in the Okunikko area since 1951.
• The resort features approximately ten hotels and inns, including the Ritz-Carlton Nikko.
• Thermal water is piped twelve kilometers from the source at Nikko Yumoto Onsen.

What to see

• Kegon Falls is located just to the east of the resort area.
• Futarasan Jinja Chugushi is situated near the local hotels and inns.
• A sightseeing boat pier offers trips across Lake Chuzenji.
• The surrounding landscape of the Okunikko region.

Getting there

• Buses from Nikko Station reach the resort bus terminal in forty minutes.
• The site is fifteen kilometers from the Kiyotaki Interchange for those driving.

Official site

www.chuzenji.jp

Read more about Chūzenji Onsen

The historic origin of Shiobara Onsen featuring three traditional inns and rare black sulfur water discovered in 806.

What it is

• The original source of the Shiobara Onsen area founded in 806.
• A historic hot spring site currently home to three operating inns.
• A former village that once housed eighty-five inns during the Kan'ei era.
• The source of sulfur, sodium, and chloride waters reaching 50.6 degrees.

What to see

• Rare black hot spring water available at the Oidekan inn.
• Natural hot spring water with a neutral pH of 6.5.
• Sacred water sources used for local traditional ceremonies.

When to go

• The Koshiki Yu-matsuri festival featuring sacred water from the source.

Getting there

• Fifteen minutes by car from the Shiobara Onsen Bus Terminal.
• Accessible via National Route 400 from the Nishinasuno-Shiobara Interchange.

Read more about Shiobara-Motoyu Onsen

A historic riverside hot spring district in Tochigi featuring diverse mineral waters, a local museum, and a limestone cave.

What it is

• One of the eleven historic hot spring areas within the Shiobara Onsenkyo region.
• Development of these hot springs began during the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
• The district features twenty-eight different hot spring sources along the Hoki River.
• Waters include simple onsen and sodium-chloride springs ranging from 40 to 69 degrees Celsius.

What to see

• The Momiji-no-yu open-air bath situated directly along the river bank.
• Genzankutsu, a limestone cave located within the Furumachi district.
• The Shiobara Monogatari Museum which opened to the public in 2003.
• A central bus terminal that has served the area since 1973.

Getting there

• Buses reach the area from Nishi-Nasuno Station in approximately 45 minutes.

Read more about Furumachi Onsen

A secluded hot spring village in Nikko National Park founded by Heike clan refugees with unique local traditions and cuisine.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located within the mountains of Nikko National Park.
• Founded in 1573 by descendants of the Heike clan fleeing after their defeat.
• A village known for preserving legends and customs of historical refugees.
• Home to alkaline simple springs that are colorless, tasteless, and odorless.

What to see

• Traditional inns and houses built along the scenic Yunishigawa river valley.
• The Heike-no-sato site featuring historical burial mounds known as Heike-zuka.
• A free mixed-gender public outdoor bath called Yagen-no-yu.
• The Nikko City Yunishigawa Mizu-no-Sato tourism center which opened in 2011.

Getting there

• Accessible by a local bus departing from Yunishigawa-Onsen Station.

Read more about Yunishigawa Onsen

A high-altitude hot spring town founded after a 1659 earthquake, offering traditional public baths and active volcanic views.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located at an elevation of 1000 meters.
• Established by residents from Motoyu who relocated after the 1659 Aizu earthquake.
• Situated at the foot of Mount Fuji in the Takahara area.
• Home to three public bathhouses named Mujina, Tera, and Naka.

What to see

• Active volcanic fumaroles located at the eruption site.
• Tera no Yu bathhouse, which takes its name from the former Enkoku-ji Temple.

Getting there

• Take a forty minute bus ride from Nishi-Nasuno Station to the terminal.
• The Yu-Taxi connects the bus terminal directly to the hot spring.
• A ten minute drive from Furumachi via the Momiji Line.
• Thirty minutes by car from the Nishi-Nasuno Shiobara Interchange.

Read more about Shiobara-Arayu Onsen

A remote hot spring area in Nikko featuring a powerful natural geyser and historical ties to the Heike clan.

What it is

• A hot spring area in Nikko City featuring colorless and transparent waters.
• The region is historically associated with refugees from the Heike clan.
• Four traditional inns are located along the main prefectural road.
• Natural spring sources reach high temperatures between 70 and 94 degrees Celsius.

What to see

• A natural geyser that erupts every few tens of minutes.
• Water columns reaching heights of approximately 15 meters during eruptions.
• The geyser is clearly visible from the Funsen Bridge.

Getting there

• Buses run from Kinugawa Onsen Station with a journey time of 87 minutes.
• The drive from Imaichi Interchange takes approximately 90 minutes via National Route 121.

Read more about Kawamata Onsen

A historic hot spring hub centered around an ancient temple, offering diverse mineral baths and one of Japan's largest footbaths.

What it is

• Central hub of the Shiobara Onsen Village in Tochigi Prefecture
• Town developed around the gates of the historic Myounji Temple
• Hot spring area featuring chloride springs and simple hot springs
• Sixteen different hot spring sources located along the Hoki River

What to see

• Myounji Temple which dates back to the late Heian period
• Yuppo no Sato footbath facility opened for public use in 2006
• Yashio Bridge which has served local traffic since 1968
• Hotel New Shiobara stands as one of the largest facilities in the area

Getting there

• Buses reach Shiobara Monzen from Nishi-Nasuno Station in 40 minutes
• Located 20 minutes by car from the Nishi-Nasuno Shiobara Interchange

Read more about Monzen Onsen

A historic hot spring resort along the Kinugawa River featuring alkaline waters once reserved for elite monks and daimyo.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located along the upper reaches of the Kinugawa River.
• Founded in 1691 after the source was discovered by resident Jubei Numao.
• Originally called Taki Onsen and reserved for daimyo and monks during the Edo period.
• Opened to the general public during the Meiji period and now holds a collective trademark.

What to see

• Approximately 40 hotels and ryokan traditional inns lining the river banks.
• Hot springs sourced from 32 locations yielding over 3,500 liters of water per minute.
• Nearby theme parks including Tobu World Square and Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura.

Getting there

• Direct limited express trains are available from Shinjuku and Asakusa stations.

Official site

www.kinugawa-onsen.com

Read more about Kinugawa Onsen

A public hot spring facility in Moka City featuring salt-rich waters, diverse bath types, and adjacent park access.

What it is

• A public hot spring facility opened in 1996 in Moka City.
• The spring water is pumped from fifteen hundred meters underground.
• The facility is nicknamed Ichigo no Yu and contains high salt levels.
• A complex including a public bathhouse, a hotel, and camping sites.

What to see

• A bathhouse featuring seven different types of tubs.
• A Bade Pool offering sixteen types of functional water massages.
• The Chat Palace hotel located within the facility grounds.
• Glamping tents and solo camping sites for overnight stays.
• The adjacent Igashira Park located next to the complex.

Getting there

• Located five minutes from the Moka Interchange by car.

Read more about Maoka Itagashira Onsen

A historic sulfuric hot spring resort discovered in 788, offering therapeutic waters and public footbaths on the shore of Lake Yunoko.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located on the shore of Lake Yunoko.
• Discovered by Shodo Shonin in 788 and designated a National Health Resort in 1954.
• The area features sulfur-type spring water that is slightly acidic.
• A source area that supplies water to Kotoku Onsen and Chuzenji Onsen.

What to see

• Approximately 23 hotels and ryokans situated along the lakefront.
• A free public footbath facility known as Anyo-no-yu.
• The active source area located within the Yunodaira Marsh.
• Onsen-ji Temple which stands directly next to the spring source.

Getting there

• Buses from Tobu-Nikko Station take approximately 80 to 85 minutes to reach the resort.

Official site

www.nikkoyumoto.com

Read more about Nikkō Yumoto Onsen