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A WORLD OF SPAS AWAIT YOU IN NIIGATA, THE ONSEN KINGDOM
| After Hokkaido and Nagano, Niigata Prefecture boasts the most onsen, or hot springs, of any prefecture in Japan, making it truly an “onsen kingdom.” Dotted evenly across the expansive yet long and relatively thin prefecture of Niigata, with the majestic Sea of Japan, two great rivers, and richly verdant mountains, are some 150 onsen, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of different spa experiences. The jewel in the crown of the onsen ryokan is the rotenburo, the outdoor bath. In addition to the therapeutic effects of onsen, they are also wonderfully relaxing as you sit in the bath and gaze out at the impressive scenery. After enjoying the onsen, the perfect capper is a meal of local cuisine. Here we shall show you some of Niigata’s best ryokan, whether by the sea, the rivers, or deep in the mountains, and you can see for yourself why the prefecture is called the “onsen kingdom.” |
Be overwhelmed by the gorgeous facilities!! This inn will make you beautiful in both mind and body |
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| This ten-storey hotel soars high above its expansive 43,000 m2 grounds. The sheer scale of the gorgeous fixtures, including aged hinoki (cypress) outdoor baths designed to look like Noh stages, and the main garden which covers some 20,000 m2, are reasons why this place is famed nationwide. Its own private hot spring source, Shiratama-no-Yu, is a chloride spring rich in sulfur. The emerald-green color of the water also suggests its effectiveness in helping your skin look beautiful, making it a true “beautifying spring.” After steeping yourself in the hot spring, enjoy a luxurious meal in a relaxing space that offers views of the nearby rice paddies and the faraway mountains. Here you can relax, unwind, and indulge yourself to the fullest.
Information Tsukioka Onsen Shiratama-no-Yu Kaho |
Enjoy the setting sun as the salt breezes waft past |
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| Facing the Sea of Japan, the Senami Coast is always busy with bathers during summer. On a wave-washed corner stands a resort ryokan where every room offers an ocean view. With large main baths, open air baths, private baths and foot baths, guests can experience a variety of onsen styles while enjoying the panoramic views of the Sea of Japan. Then, when the sun lowers in the evening, tinting the sea red, enjoy the best of what this seaside onsen has to offer from your room, the lounge, or while eating or bathing. There is a wide range of accommodation plans available, and the inn takes pride of its cooking, made using fresh seafood.
Information Senami Onsen Sunset Inn Shiomiso |
One of Japan’s three top medicinal hot springs
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| Along with Kusatsu and Arima, Matsunoyama is considered one of Japan’s three top medicinal hot springs. Discovered more than 700 years ago, the waters are noted for their high amounts of calcium and sodium, and are believed to be fossil seawater from 12 million years ago. Gushing out at a hot 92 °C, the rich salt content warms your body up, leading to its being known as the “warming spring.” The water works wonders on beautifying skin, and many people keep coming back for its medicinal benefits for healing injuries. The outdoor baths with source water flowing directly into them, the guest rooms with kotatsu (low heated tables), and the interior of the ryokan, which is fully floored with tatami mats, give the inn the atmosphere of rural Japan. The ryokan is also proud of its local cuisine made from Koshihikari brand rice, grown in their own paddies, and local ingredients. This is an inn where visitors can sense the real, hometown Japan.
Information Matsunoyama Onsen Ryokan Chitose |
Good access from the Tokyo region
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| “The train came out of the long tunnel into the Snow Country.” This is the inn that features in Yasunari Kawabata’s famous novel, “Snow Country.” The room he used at the time has been preserved, and is open to the general public. The inn’s location on a hill overlooking the hot spring town means that views from the rooms are superb. Here, you can forget about the passing of time as you sit and relax. The hot spring, with more than 900 years of history, is known as the “egg spring” due to the “bloom” of mineral deposits that look like an egg has been beaten into it, as well as the sulfurous smell. The spring is popular with guests, as soaking in it leaves your skin as smooth as a boiled egg.
Information Echigo Yuzawa Onsen Yukiguni-no-Yado Takahan |
Views of the scenery only found on a small island from the scenic rotenburo |
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| This onsen hotel is located on Cape Kasuga, known for its impressive scenery and its connection to the traditional Sado Noh. You can get views of the beautiful scenery of Sado from the hotel and garden, and of course the view from the open-air baths high on the scenic cape are just stunning. With nothing between you and the coastline, you can sit back in the bath and feel as if you are one with the sea. On fine days, the sun sinking into the sea in the evening and the lights of the fishermen dotted over the sea at night create fantastical atmospheres. And you should not forget the food, made using plenty of seasonal Sado produce.
Information Osado Onsen Hotel Osado |
A dreamy world gazing down over the sea of clouds |
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| This inn boasts both a quality hot spring and amazing views from the panoramic open-air bath. Located on top of a pass 400 meters above sea level, this incredible location, looking out over the mountains of the Uonuma Range and terraced rice paddies, attracts many visitors. In the mornings and evenings, given the right conditions, a dreamlike sea of clouds (unkai) spreads out, making you feel as if you are floating high in the air. Experience the great outdoors of Tokamachi in each season as you immerse yourself in the relaxing bath, with its warm wood tones. The food, made using local ingredients, is also popular, so you can truly enjoy a relaxing time at this onsen ryokan.
Information Matsudai Shibatoge Onsen Unkai |
An inn of flowers on the banks of the Agano River
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| Founded in 1935, this long-established ryokan, surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Okuaga region, faces the Agano River and the foothills of Mt. Kirin. From the open-air bath, where the majestic Mt. Kirin and the Agano River flowing past seem almost close enough to touch, you can spend a truly relaxing time immersed in the bath being wafted by river breezes and lulled by the gently chattering stream. The winter landscapes are like being inside an Indian ink painting, with the Nakanoshima island in the middle of the river illuminated to create a romantic landscape spreading out in front of your eyes. In spring, 2,000 snow camellias (yukitsubaki) and cherry trees blossom, covering the mountains and fields with flowers, and making strolls in the garden a true delight.
Information Kirinzan Onsen Yukitsubaki-no-Yado Furusawaya |
The joys of leaving your everyday life behind in a bath floating on a sea of clouds |
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| First opened in 1937, this was one of the first resorts built on a plateau. From the hotel, located 1,000 meters up Mt. Myoko, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful mountain scenery from their rooms and baths. In particular, you can enjoy bathing in the open-air baths as the morning sun illuminates the clouds, making you feel like you are in a bath floating above them. The New Wing offers a large main bath fed directly from the hot spring and guest rooms with their own private open-air baths, while from the Aqua Terrace on the topmost floor you can enjoy the majestic sea of clouds and panoramic vistas. With great scenery, hot spring water fresh from the source, and genuine French cuisine, you’ll be able to forget your everyday cares here.
Information Akakura Onsen Akakura Kanko Resort & Spa Akakura Kanko Hotel |
