Tochio Onsen

What it is

• A hot spring town located at the junction of the Kamata and Hirayu rivers.
• Designated as a National Health Resort in 1968 featuring simple spring water.
• The town name originates from the local Japanese horse-chestnut trees.
• The area utilizes geothermal heat for growing local vegetables and fruit.

What to see

• Kojin-no-yu is an outdoor bath located directly on the Kamata riverbank.
• Hotaru-no-yu is a public footbath available for use by visitors.
• Cherry trees are planted along the Hora Valley channel works.
• The site of a major 1979 mudslide in the Hora Valley.

When to go

• Fireflies appear near the footbath around early July.

Getting there

• The town is accessible by bus from Takayama Station.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.