Kawayu Onsen (Hokkaido)

What it is

• A hot spring resort town named after the Ainu words for hot river.
• The first permanent inn was established at this location in 1904.
• The area features approximately twenty hotels, traditional inns, and local shops.
• All facilities use free-flowing water sourced directly from the hot springs.

What to see

• A high temperature river of hot spring water flowing through the town center.
• The Taiho Sumo Memorial Museum located near the hot spring facilities.
• A free public footbath situated at the local train station.
• Filming locations used in the movie Kimi no Na wa.

Getting there

• The town is accessible by bus from Kawayu Onsen Station.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.