Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen-kyo in Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, is a historic hot spring area known for its cobblestone streets and abundant natural springs. Among them, the "Nine Bath Tour" (Kuyu Meguri) of Shibu Onsen and the public baths of neighboring Andai Onsen offer a precious experience to enjoy authentic 100% free-flowing hot spring water.
Shibu Onsen Nine Bath Tour
Shibu Onsen has nine public baths (sotoyu or kyodo yokujyo) that local residents use daily. When staying in Shibu Onsen, guests can experience the "Nine Bath Tour" (Kuyu Meguri), visiting these public baths for free. It is believed that completing all nine baths brings blessings including warding off evil, safe childbirth, and longevity. The ritual is completed by visiting Shibu Takayakushi shrine overlooking the hot spring town and receiving a seal of completion.
Shibu Onsen has over 100 natural springs with source temperatures ranging from 60 to 90°C. All public baths feature 100% free-flowing hot spring water. While the basic water quality is sodium-calcium sulfate-chloride spring, the pH ranges from 4.0 to 7.6, offering unique characteristics at each bath.
First Bath: Hatsuyu
The origin bath of Shibu Onsen, said to have been discovered by the monk Gyoki. It was once called "Hachiyu" (Bowl Bath) because Gyoki washed his begging bowl here.
- Water Quality: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride Spring (hypotonic, weakly acidic, high temperature)
- Source Temperature: 65.0°C (56°C at bathtub)
- Benefits: Gastrointestinal issues
- 100% free-flowing source water
- Operating Hours: 6:00-22:00
- Fee: Free for Shibu Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Second Bath: Sasanoyu
Named after the bamboo grass (sasa) that once grew where the spring emerged. Known for treating eczema and being effective during recovery from illness, also called the "finishing bath."
- Water Quality: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride Spring (hypotonic, weakly acidic, high temperature)
- Source Temperature: 65.0°C
- Benefits: Eczema, recovery from illness
- 100% free-flowing source water
- Operating Hours: 6:00-22:00
- Fee: Free for Shibu Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Third Bath: Watanoyu
Named for the white sediment (yu-no-hana) that resembles cotton (wata). Said to be effective for cuts and skin conditions.
- Water Quality: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride Spring (hypotonic, weakly acidic, high temperature)
- Source Temperature: 65.0°C
- Benefits: Cuts, skin conditions, boils, fertility
- 100% free-flowing source water
- Operating Hours: 6:00-22:00
- Fee: Free for Shibu Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Fourth Bath: Takenoyu
One of the public baths with the highest source temperature. Said to be effective for chronic gout.
- Water Quality: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride Spring
- Source Temperature: 70.5°C
- Benefits: Chronic gout
- 100% free-flowing source water
- Operating Hours: 6:00-22:00
- Fee: Free for Shibu Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Fifth Bath: Matsunoyu
Said to be effective for neuralgia and recovery from illness. Same high source temperature as the Fourth Bath.
- Water Quality: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride Spring
- Source Temperature: 70.5°C
- Benefits: Neuralgia, recovery from illness
- 100% free-flowing source water
- Operating Hours: 6:00-22:00
- Fee: Free for Shibu Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Sixth Bath: Mearai-no-yu
Named for its historical use in washing eyes to cure eye diseases. Mildly alkaline and known as a "beauty bath" with particularly strong beautifying effects in Shibu Onsen. Has the largest bathtub among the nine public baths, allowing comfortable bathing even when somewhat crowded.
- Water Quality: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride Spring
- Source Temperature: 58.7°C
- Benefits: Gynecological issues, eye diseases
- pH: 7.6 (closest to neutral among the nine baths)
- 100% free-flowing source water
- Operating Hours: 6:00-22:00
- Fee: Free for Shibu Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Seventh Bath: Shichiso-no-yu (Shichimaguri-no-yu)
Effective for traumatic injuries and recovery periods. Said to cure seven diseases or provide complete recovery after seven baths, hence also called "Shichimaguri-no-yu" (Seven Times Bath). Characterized by black sediment. Has the highest total mineral content among the nine baths.
- Water Quality: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride Spring
- Source Temperature: 50.5°C
- Benefits: Traumatic injuries, recovery period
- 100% free-flowing source water
- Operating Hours: 6:00-22:00
- Fee: Free for Shibu Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Eighth Bath: Shinmei Taki-no-yu
Uses spring water from Mount Shinmei behind the bath. Named because it once featured waterfall-like massage bathing that relieved fatigue. Known for gynecological benefits and fertility, also called the "Fertility Bath." The water is slightly cloudy, acidic, and has a distinctive metallic smell. The spring water is slowly released through boards, allowing guests to enjoy fresh, high-quality hot spring water in a small bathtub.
- Water Quality: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride Spring
- Source Temperature: 58.7°C
- Benefits: Gynecological issues, fertility
- pH: 6.12 (slightly acidic)
- 100% free-flowing source water
- Operating Hours: 6:00-22:00
- Fee: Free for Shibu Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Ninth Bath: Shibu Oyu
The representative famous bath of Shibu Onsen, a sacred spring discovered by the high priest Gyoki. This is the final bath in the pilgrimage tour, after which visitors climb to the medicine shrine to pray to Yakushi Nyorai for completion of their wishes. Said to cure all ailments, but especially famous for neuralgia and rheumatism. The water is brown (ochre) due to high iron content, and this is the largest public bath, accommodating about 8 people. Also features a steam bath using vapor from the underground source. A foot bath is available on the rooftop.
Only the Ninth Bath allows day-use visitors (non-guests). Purchase an admission ticket at the Shibu Onsen Ryokan Association office or Shibu Onsen parking lot management office, then have a nearby inn or shop unlock the bath.
- Water Quality: Sodium-Calcium Sulfate-Chloride Spring (hypotonic, neutral, high temperature)
- Source Temperature: 60.2°C (50°C at bathtub)
- Benefits: Neuralgia, rheumatism, all ailments
- pH: 4.8 (acidic)
- 100% free-flowing source water
- Operating Hours: 6:00-22:00 (guests), 10:00-16:00 (day-use)
- Fee: Free for Shibu Onsen guests (key required), 500 yen for day-use
- Facilities: Indoor baths=2 (hot/warm), steam bath=1, foot bath=1
- Open: Year-round
Public Baths of Andai Onsen
Andai Onsen is a small hot spring town with 5-6 inns located immediately next to Shibu Onsen, across the Yokoyugawa River. With a history dating back to 1705 (Hoei 2) when bathhouses were built on the riverbank, it is difficult to distinguish the boundary with Shibu Onsen, though they are technically separate districts.
Andai Onsen has two public baths available only to local residents and Andai Onsen guests. The source temperature is extremely high at 91.3°C, with a local rule that the water should not be cooled below 42°C, requiring consideration for local residents.
Andai Oyu
The representative public bath of Andai Onsen with an imposing Japanese-style architecture. With a history dating back about 300 years to the Hoei period, records state that "all villagers came together to build one bathtub." The red mailbox in front of the building adds charm. The inscription on the eaves was written by former Governor Yoshimura Goro, who served as Nagano Prefecture governor for 20 years.
The bathing area is tiled with a bathtub that accommodates about 3-4 people. The hot water is regulated through pipes, and a thermometer is installed. Note that there are entrance/changing rooms on both left and right sides, so remember which side you entered.
- Water Quality: Sodium Chloride-Sulfate Spring (mildly alkaline, hypotonic, high temperature)
- Source Temperature: 91.3°C
- Source Name: Kyoekikai No. 11 Boring
- pH: 8.3
- Clear, colorless, tasteless, odorless
- 100% free-flowing (no heating, cooling, or chlorination)
- Operating Hours: Please confirm with accommodation
- Fee: Free for Andai Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Kaikanoyu
A small public bath characterized by black wooden walls and concrete exterior. The small tiled bath has an atmosphere of a local public bathhouse, offering a Showa-era retro experience. Located about several tens of meters from Andai Oyu toward Shibu Onsen on the left side.
The bathing area is tiled with one bathtub. Both the changing room and bathing area are extremely simple, becoming full with 2-3 people. With no extra facilities, it has the character of a practical public bath used daily by locals.
- Water Quality: Sodium Chloride-Sulfate Spring (mildly alkaline, hypotonic, high temperature)
- Source Temperature: 91.3°C
- Source Name: Kyoekikai No. 11 Boring
- pH: 8.3
- Clear, colorless, tasteless, odorless
- 100% free-flowing (no heating, cooling, or chlorination)
- Operating Hours: Please confirm with accommodation
- Fee: Free for Andai Onsen guests (key required)
- Open: Year-round
Access
Common to Both Shibu Onsen and Andai Onsen
- Train: From Nagano Electric Railway Yudanaka Station, take Nagaden Bus (toward Shiga Kogen/Kanbayashi Onsen) for about 7 minutes, get off at "Shibu Onsen" or "Andai Onsen"
- Train: From JR East Nagano Station, take Nagaden Bus (Shiga Kogen Line) for about 40 minutes
- Car: About 15 minutes from Joshinetsu Expressway Shinshu-Nakano IC via National Route 292
- Walking: About 20 minutes walk from Yudanaka Station
- Walking distance between Shibu Onsen and Andai Onsen: 3 minutes
Public Bath Tour Precautions
Shibu Onsen
- The nine bath tour is available only to Shibu Onsen guests (except the Ninth Bath)
- Borrow a special key for public bath tours from your inn (free)
- Purchase a "pilgrimage towel" (junyo tenugui) for stamp collecting if desired
- Operating hours: 6:00-22:00 (bathing not available during cleaning)
- No showers, shampoo, or soap provided
- Bring your own towel
- Source temperatures are high; water is quite hot. Adjust temperature with tap water as needed
- However, avoid excessive water use or leaving water running
- Follow etiquette as these are shared facilities
- Local residents also use these baths; avoid extended bathing times
- Drinking the hot spring water is not permitted
Andai Onsen
- Available only to Andai Onsen guests and local residents
- Borrow a key from your inn (free)
- Extremely high source temperature of 91.3°C
- Local rule: do not cool water below 42°C
- As consideration for locals, avoid cooling the water too much
- No showers, shampoo, or soap provided
- Bring your own towel
- Small facilities; avoid extended use
Summary
The Nine Bath Tour of Shibu Onsen and the public baths of Andai Onsen offer a precious opportunity to experience authentic 100% free-flowing hot spring water with different water qualities and benefits at each bath. Shibu Onsen allows you to tour nine public baths while strolling through the hot spring town, while Andai Onsen offers a hot spring experience immersed in local life in a quiet, rustic atmosphere.
Both offer special public baths available primarily to overnight guests, and as shared facilities with local residents, proper etiquette is required. Walking through the cobblestone hot spring streets in yukata and wooden clogs, you can fully enjoy the traditional hot spring atmosphere.
The nine bath tour takes about 10 minutes per bath plus travel time, totaling approximately 1.5-2 hours. As completing all baths can be physically demanding, it's also acceptable to select a few favorite baths rather than forcing yourself to visit all of them.
*Please note that while the information provided is current as of the research date, there may be errors or changes. Please check official websites for the most up-to-date information.