Very popular among foreigners! Introducing the charm of "Takaragawa Onsen", a famous hot spring that you should visit at least once!
Have you ever heard of the popular hidden hot spring "Takaragawa Onsen" in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture?
Takaragawa Onsen is a famous hot spring that was ranked No. 1 in the "Top 10 Hot Springs in Japan" by Lonely Planet, a popular international travel guidebook, and is also famous as a movie location.
In this article, we will introduce the attractions and basic information about Takaragawa Onsen, as well as nearby tourist attractions and restaurants.
Hogawa Onsen Wangsenkaku Attractions｜Mixed bathing with the family is possible
Takaragawa Onsen is a hot spring resort located in Minakami-machi, Gunma Prefecture, at the uppermost reaches of the Tone River, where visitors can enjoy a large open-air bath with a total area of 470 tatami mats.
The ryokan is only about a 2.5 hour drive from Tokyo, making it a good choice for those who cannot easily take long vacations.
Takaragawa Onsen offers "mixed bathing," a rarity in Japan, so families and couples can enjoy the hot springs to the fullest.
When bathing, both men and women wear yuyami gowns (towels worn for bathing), so you can easily enjoy mixed bathing as if you were in a swimming pool.
Those who are not comfortable with mixed bathing can rest assured that there is an open-air bath for women only.
In addition to the hot springs, the service of yukata (Japanese bathrobe) of choice, mountain village cuisine such as mountain vegetables and river fish, and Japanese-style guest rooms are also popular among Japanese and foreign travelers alike.
Can I go to Takaragawa Onsen even if I have tattoos?
In Japan, most hot springs do not allow bathing if you have tattoos on your body.
At Takaragawa Onsen, fashion tattoos placed in a single point can be bathed in without any problem.
However, if you have extensive tattoos, you may be prompted to bathe at different times.
Officially, tattoos are prohibited, so it is safe to inquire and confirm in advance.
The official website of Takaragawa Onsen allows email inquiries in English.
Basic information about Takaragawa Onsen｜Rates, etc.
Let us introduce some basic information about Takaragawa Onsen.
【 Wangquan Pavilion Basic Information 】
| Location | 1899 Fujiwara, Minakami-cho, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| inquiry | TEL》0278-75-2611《Mail》 《Tel》 0278-75-2611Contact us / Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku |
| reservation | TEL》0278-75-2121《Online》 《Tel》 0278-75-2121online reservation from official website |
| lodging fees | Around 15,000 yen |
| Access | Free shuttle bus service is available from "Jomo Kogen Station" of Joetsu Shinkansen, "Minakami Station" of JR Joetsu Line, and bus stop "Takaragawa Iriguchi". (Reservations required) 《For those using a car》 《For those using a car》approx. 18 km from the Mizukami Interchange |
【Basic Information of Hogawa Villa 】
| Location | 1899 Fujiwara, Minakami-cho, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| Phone number | 0278-75-2614 |
| Business Hours | 10:00-17:00 (reception desk closes at 16:00) |
| Charge | Adults 1,500 yen (1,000 yen from 16:00) Elementary school students 1,000 yen (800 yen from 16:00) Free for preschool children |
《Notes》.
- Both men and women must wear bathing suits.
- The fee includes the rental of a bathing suit.
- You cannot use your own bathing suit.
- The shuttle bus is available only for overnight guests, and reservations are required to use it.
- Observe bathing etiquette. (Do not bathe after drinking alcohol or pouring hot water over yourself before taking a bath.)
- Photography is strictly prohibited in the bathhouses, including the open-air baths.
Sightseeing spots around Takaragawa Onsen
If you are going on a trip, you will want to enjoy sightseeing in addition to hot springs and dining. Here are some recommended sightseeing spots in the vicinity of Takaragawa Onsen.
Fujiwara Dam
Fujiwara Dam is a 15-minute drive from Takaragawa Onsen. When the water is discharged, visitors can see the powerful spray of water. In the fall, it is a sightseeing spot with beautiful autumn leaves.
Basic Information
| Addresses: (in Japanese) | 26 Yogo, Minakami Town, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| phone | 0278-75-2006 (weekdays 8:30-17:15) |
| Home Page | https://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/tonedamu/tonedamu_index002.html |
Roadside Station Minakami Suikikyokan
Roadside Station Minakami Suikikikikan is a 30-minute drive from Takaragawa Onsen.
In addition to local agricultural products and souvenirs available for purchase, there is a mini aquarium displaying freshwater creatures living in the Tone River, a snack corner where dam curry is popular, a climbing wall, a footbath, and other facilities that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
Basic Information
| Addresses: (in Japanese) | 1681-1 Yubara, Minakami-cho, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| phone | 0278-72-1425 (9:00-17:00) |
| Home Page | https://mizunofurusato.com/ |
Roadside Station Takuminosato
Michi no Eki Takumi no Sato is a roadside station located 60 minutes by car from Takaragawa Onsen. On a site about 70 times the size of Tokyo Dome, there are more than 20 different hands-on workshops, including soba noodle making, strawberry picking, bamboo crafting, and paper making.
The numerous restaurants and souvenir stores also make this a spot that can be enjoyed on its own.
Basic Information
| Addresses: (in Japanese) | 847 Sugawa, Minakami-cho, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| phone | 0278-64-2210（9：00～16：00) |
| Home Page | http://takuminosato.jp/ |
Tsukiyano Bidoro Park
Tsukiyano Bidoro Park is a glass studio located 45 minutes by car from Takaragawa Onsen.
The museum is staffed by Japan's top glass artisans, and visitors can observe their techniques up close. In addition to purchasing glassware, visitors of elementary school age and older can experience glassblowing and sandblasting.
Basic Information
| Addresses: (in Japanese) | 737-1 Gokan, Minakami Town, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| phone | 0278-62-2211 (9:00-16:00) |
| Home Page | https://www.vidro-park.jp/ |
Other
In addition to various tourist facilities, the area around Takaragawa Onsen is dotted with numerous activity spots, including skiing, canoeing, and paragliding.
Therefore, this is an area that can be enjoyed to the fullest even over two or three consecutive nights.
Recommended restaurants near Takaragawa Onsen
While you can enjoy delicious food at Wangsenkaku in Takaragawa Onsen, there are also many recommended restaurants in the vicinity of Takaragawa Onsen.
Why not stop by on your way home or other places?
field in a hollow
Kubota is a soba restaurant about a 30-minute drive from Takaragawa Onsen.
Focusing on local ingredients, the restaurant serves not only soba but also locally brewed sake and beer, locally produced cured ham, and Japanese sweets. In addition, you can enjoy Gunma's specialty "Okirikomi" on weekdays only from December to March.
Basic Information
| Addresses: (in Japanese) | 70-15 Kanozawa, Minakami-cho, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| phone | 0278-72-6420 (10:00 - close when sold out) |
| Home Page | http://www.kubota-soba.com/ |
Cafe-restaurant asima
Café Restaurant Ashima is located 30 minutes from Takaragawa Onsen.
It is a popular restaurant that attracts many people from inside and outside of the prefecture to enjoy its famous "Yaki Curry" (grilled curry). From April to October, pets are allowed on the terrace only.
Basic Information
| Addresses: (in Japanese) | 146 Yubara, Minakami-cho, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| phone | 0278-72-3326 (weekdays 11:00-16:00, weekends 11:00-21:00) |
| Home Page | http://www.asima.jp/index.html |
Miso Manju" and "Tonkatsu
Although not a restaurant, Numata City, located next to Minakami Town, is famous for its "miso manju. Miso manju is a thin-skinned manju skewered and baked with a sweet and spicy miso sauce. They are sold at various places in the city, mainly along Route 120, which runs through Numata City, and are recommended as a snack in the car.
Likewise, National Route 120 is known as "Tonkatsu Kaido" (Tonkatsu Road), with many Tonkatsu restaurants.
If you have the stomach for it, tonkatsu is also recommended, as all of them serve excellent tonkatsu with ingenuity.
| Home Page | Miso manjuu:https://www.numata-kankou.jp/eat/misomanjyu/index.html Tonkatsu:https://www.numata-kankou.jp/eat/tonkatsu/index.html |
Recommended Hotels near Baoguan Hot Springs
In addition to Wangsenkaku, there are other attractive hotels near Takaragawa Onsen.
Chalet La Neige
If you want to enjoy outdoor sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and rafting instead of mainly hot springs, Chalet La Neige is the place for you.
It is a 10-minute drive from Takaragawa Onsen, so you can also take a day trip to Takaragawa Onsen after leisure activities.
Basic Information
| Addresses: (in Japanese) | 3831-7 Fujiwara, Minakami-cho, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| phone | 0278-75-2828 |
| Home Page | http://la-neige.com/index.html |
Hotel Yuno-jin
Hotel Yuno-jin is popular among families because private baths, buffets, karaoke, and swimming pools are all available at no extra charge. The official website is the cheapest place to make reservations.
Basic Information
| Addresses: (in Japanese) | 208, Yuhinoso, Minakami-cho, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| phone | 0570-059-780 |
| Home Page | https://www.itoenhotel.com/yunojin/ |
summary
In this issue, we presented information about the Takaragawa Hot Springs.
At Takaragawa Onsen, you can enjoy the seasonal changes of scenery: in spring you can see the torrent of melting snow up close, in summer you are surrounded by greenery, in autumn the leaves turn bright red, and in winter you can enjoy snow viewing at the hot springs.
Why not relax from daily fatigue at Takaragawa Onsen, which is only two and a half hours away from Tokyo?
