Hakuba Yari Onsen

What it is

• A mountain hot spring located at an elevation of 2,100 meters in Nagano Prefecture.
• The facility features the highest natural discharge volume for its altitude in Japan.
• The spring water contains sulfur, magnesium, and calcium at a temperature of 43.1 degrees Celsius.
• The mountain hut is dismantled every winter to prevent damage from local avalanches.

What to see

• Natural spring water flowing directly from a crack in a large rock.
• Outdoor mixed-gender and women-only baths overlooking the surrounding mountain landscape.
• A mountain hut that provides seasonal accommodation for hikers and bathers.

When to go

• The mountain hut and facilities operate from early July to late September.

Getting there

• Access requires a four to five hour hike starting from Sarukura.
• Japan Post designates this location as a difficult-to-reach area for visitors.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.