Niigata Prefecture boasts the third-highest number of hot spring areas in Japan. With hot springs gushing from all 30 municipalities in the prefecture, numerous hidden hot springs dot this region. From one of Japan's three great medicinal baths to wild open-air baths at altitudes exceeding 1,000 meters, we introduce Niigata's proud secret hot springs.
1. Tsubame Onsen (Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture)
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| 00:00 - 24:00 | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
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| 00:00 - 24:00 | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
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| 12:00 - 15:00 | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
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| 11:00 - 14:30 | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
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| 09:30 - 17:00 | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
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| 10:00 - 14:00 | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
7. Sasakura Onsen Ryuunso (Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture)
Surrounded by 2,000-meter-class mountains on the north side of the Myoko mountain range including Yakeyama, Hiuchiyama, and Eboshidake, the environment is superb. With no other houses, it's a single inn at the end of the road, on a highland plateau with expansive views.
Founded approximately 300 years ago in 1716 (Kyoho 1), legend says it opened following divine guidance from the Yakushi Nyorai of Sorin-ji Temple. Though the hot spring was lost in the great flood of 1914, supported by local people's deep love and strong faith in the hot spring, it gushed forth again in 1926. Truly a miraculous water revived by local power.
Known as a "beauty bath" with abundant sodium bicarbonate content. The smooth sensation of the open-air bath is wonderful. Being in the outskirts of Itoigawa City near the Sea of Japan, the cuisine pleasantly features abundant seafood. The breakfast specialty "onsen-gayu" (hot spring porridge) cooked with source water is popular.
- Spring Quality: Sodium-hydrogen carbonate spring
- Free-flowing hot spring
- Baths: Indoor bath, open-air bath, private bath
- Day-trip Bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Season: Year-round
8. Deyu Onsen Keho-ji Communal Bath (Agano City, Niigata Prefecture)
Said to be Niigata Prefecture's oldest hot spring, Deyu Onsen. With 1,200 years since opening, legend says Kobo Daishi struck his staff to make the water gush forth. A nationally rare hot spring with a communal bath within Keho-ji Temple grounds.
A communal bath called "Chosenkutsu" exists within the grounds of Keho-ji Temple, which enshrines Yakushi Nyorai said to have been carved by Kobo Daishi. The water is colorless, transparent, and odorless, with weak alkaline simple spring quality. Slowly soaking in the lukewarm hot spring heals both body and mind.
The water temperature is approximately 35 degrees, lukewarm and suitable for long soaking. Though heated in cold seasons, it remains free-flowing from the source. A simple communal bath beloved by local people.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring (weak alkaline)
- Free-flowing hot spring
- Operating Hours: 6:00-19:00
- Fee: Adults 250 yen, Children 150 yen, Infants 50 yen
- Closed: Open daily
- Accommodation: Not available (day-trip bathing only)
9. Deyu Onsen Communal Bath (Agano City, Niigata Prefecture)
Another communal bath in the same Deyu Onsen area. Locally called "Shin-yu" (new hot water) and beloved. The communal bath was renewed in February 2008, newer than Keho-ji's communal bath with better facilities.
The pleasant new bathtub and free-flowing natural hot spring are the ultimate luxury. Equipped with showers, handrails, and lockers, you can enjoy bathing with peace of mind.
Unlike Keho-ji's communal bath, this is not a radium spring but a simple spring. Except in cold seasons, it's free-flowing without dilution, heating, or chlorine disinfection. Mainly used by locals, it's crowded from morning.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring (hypotonic weak alkaline spring)
- Free-flowing hot spring
- Operating Hours: 6:00-20:00
- Source Temperature: 40.6 degrees
- Fee: Adults 250 yen, Children 150 yen
- Closed: Open daily
- Accommodation: Not available (day-trip bathing only)
10. Murasugi Onsen Yakushi-no-Yu (Agano City, Niigata Prefecture)
With 700 years since opening, one of Japan's leading radium hot springs. Counted among Japan's three great radium springs, it has long been known as the "hot spring for child-bearing and safe childbirth" due to its effectiveness for women's diseases.
The saying goes "no doctors grow in Murasugi Onsen." The legend arose because injuries and illnesses heal thanks to Japan's finest radium hot spring and the divine protection of Yakushi Nyorai, the guardian Buddha of hot springs. The veranda around Yakushi-do once displayed many crutches dedicated by hot spring cure visitors who recovered and no longer needed them.
The No. 3 well of Yakushi-no-Yu boasts abundant output of 483 liters per minute. This "Yakushi-no-Yu" source water is distributed to all hot spring facilities in Murasugi Onsen. The famous water of Murasugi Onsen, said to have Japan's highest radium content, can be casually enjoyed at the communal bath.
"Yakushi-no-Shimizu" spring water gushs from the giant cedar roots beside the communal bath, where pure natural water can be drawn. A foot bath is also available for casual hot spring enjoyment.
- Spring Quality: Simple weak radioactive cold mineral spring (radium hot spring)
- Free-flowing hot spring
- Operating Hours: Confirmation required
- Fee: Confirmation required
- Day-trip Bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Not available (communal bath), multiple ryokan in the hot spring village
Summary
Niigata Prefecture's secret hot springs are truly diverse, from wild open-air baths exceeding 1,000 meters altitude to ancient baths with 1,200 years of history. Each has its unique character, including Matsunoyama Onsen (one of Japan's three great medicinal baths), Kaikake Onsen (known as the eye hot spring), and Renge Onsen (cloud-top secret bath).
For wild bath experiences, Tsubame Onsen and Renge Onsen are recommended. For secret hot springs with accommodation, Kaikake Onsen, Matsunoyama Onsen Ryounkaku, Echigo-Nagano Onsen Rankeiso, Sakamaki Onsen Kawatsuya, and Sasakura Onsen Ryuunso are members of the Japan Secret Hot Springs Protection Association.
For casual secret hot spring enjoyment at communal baths, the communal baths of Deyu Onsen and Murasugi Onsen are excellent. All offer free-flowing natural hot springs at reasonable prices around 250 yen.
Niigata's secret hot springs offer the appeal of abundant nature, history, and highly effective hot spring waters. Please find the secret hot spring that suits you and refresh both body and mind.
*Note: While the information represents the latest available at the time of research, errors may exist. Please confirm the latest information on official websites.
