Sennin valley hot spring
Hot Spring Overview
Sennin Onsen (Hermit Hot Spring) is a secluded hot spring located in the Sennin Valley of Kurobe Mountains in Unazuki Town, Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture. It sits along a tributary of the Kurobe River at an elevation of approximately 1,450 meters. The name "Sennin" (hermit) comes from mountain ascetic practitioners who trained in this area, with a hermit monk who lived in a cave near the hot spring.
The hot spring was managed by a single mountain hut called "Sennin Onsen Goya," but the building collapsed due to an avalanche in 2021 and has since ceased operations. When it was operating, it was only open during the hiking season (August to September) each year. The hut had an open-air bath drawing water from the hot spring source, and since 2016, there was only one bath with alternating times for men and women. The area is within Chubu Sangaku National Park, with no designated camping areas, and camping is prohibited throughout the area.
The hut was first established around 1956 as a prefabricated structure, and a permanent hut was built in 1987. Nearby are historical sites related to mountain asceticism, including the remains of the Sennin cave dwelling and a stone Buddha statue. While it served as a transit point for hikers climbing Mt. Tateyama and Mt. Tsurugi, currently the collapsed mountain hut is being demolished and the land cleared.
Hot Spring Details
Practical Info
Visit Log
Facilities
Access Information
Access to Sennin Onsen is extremely difficult, with several routes available, all requiring advanced mountaineering skills and physical fitness.
Kurobe Gorge Railway Route: From the terminal station Keyakidaira of the Kurobe Gorge Railway, take the Horizontal Trail to Asohara Onsen, then climb the Kumokiri Trail along a ridge. At an elevation of 1,629m, leave the ridge to descend to the Sennin Valley, pass by the hot spring source, and cross to the left bank of the valley to reach the Sennin Onsen hut. The journey from Keyakidaira Station takes about 10 hours and 30 minutes, with about 5 hours and 30 minutes required from Asohara Onsen to Sennin Onsen.
Route from Murodo: There are also routes from Tateyama-Murodo via the northern ridge of Mt. Tsurugi, or via Tsurugi-sawa and Masago-sawa Lodge.
Route from Kurobe Dam: It is also possible to reach the hot spring from Kurobe Dam via Kurasuke-daira, or via the Nippon Electric Trail and Sennin Valley Dam.
All routes have numerous dangerous sections. The Horizontal Trail in particular features steep hiking paths, cliff-side trails, and dark tunnels requiring cautious progress. Weather changes in alpine areas can be sudden, so adequate equipment and experience are essential. Currently, as the mountain hut is closed, plans should not be based on staying overnight at the hot spring.
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About Secluded Rating
Access (Difficulty to Reach)
Over 1 hour walk
Scenery & Atmosphere
Deep forest
Onsen Value
Natural hot spring
It is completely inaccessible by car and requires approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes of hiking on mountain trails from the nearest station (Keyakidaira Station). The route includes particularly steep hiking paths, cliff-side trails, and numerous dangerous sections requiring not only walking endurance but also mountaineering skills.
Even when it was operating, the mountain hut was only open for two months from August to September, and was closed during other seasons due to snow and severe weather conditions.
Though it is currently closed, it is a genuine hidden hot spring and I've rated it as Level 5.