Tucked away on a slope above Ogama, this quiet and secluded bathhouse offers a unique and beautiful bathing experience.
The water undergoes a gradual color change over time, transforming into a clear, deep green hue.
The emerald-colored water shines vividly against the white-tiled bath, and white and black mineral deposits (yunohana) dance in the water, accompanied by a strong scent of sulfur.
The hot spring source is Takinoyu.
Take the Shinkansen to JR Iiyama Station, then transfer to the direct bus “Nozawa Onsen Liner”, which takes approximately 25 minutes to reach Nozawa Onsen.
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15min walk
City area
Historic unique spring
Nozawa Onsen is an easily accessible hot spring village, reachable by car or public transportation.
Despite its accessibility, it holds a unique distinction—it is the only village in Japan with "Onsen" (hot spring) in its name, and the hot spring culture is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life.
Scattered throughout the village are 13 communal bathhouses (soto-yu), each with a simple and modest design—just a space to remove your shoes and a small changing area. Rather than being tourist facilities, these baths are considered "baths for daily life," intimately connected to the local community.
These communal baths are maintained and managed by a group of local residents known as “Yunakama”, who distribute hot spring water from the source free of charge to each facility.
Though Nozawa Onsen is a popular destination, its enduring culture of communal bathing and its deep local traditions give it the authentic charm of a hidden onsen.