Kinugawa Onsen

Kinugawa Onsen is one of the most beautiful hot spring resorts in the Kanto region, with its magnificent valleys and beautiful scenery.

Discovered in the Edo period (1603-1867), Kinugawa Onsen has a long history, and at that time, only Buddhist monks and feudal lords on pilgrimages to Nikko were allowed to bathe in the hot spring.

Since the Meiji period (1868-1912), it has been open to the public and attracts many tourists.

Numerous inns and hotels line the Kinugawa River valley, and the area has developed into one of the largest hot spring resorts in the Kanto region.

The spring water is alkaline simple hot spring, and is said to be good for neuralgia, stiff shoulders, recovery from fatigue, and health promotion. It is also tasteless, odorless, and gentle to the skin, making it enjoyable for many people.

The surrounding area is surrounded by nature and theme parks such as Edo Wonderland and Tobu World Square. Furthermore, the World Heritage Site of Nikko is only about 30 minutes away by car, making it an ideal base for sightseeing in Nikko City.

Kinugawa Onsen is a hot spring located in the Kinugawa district of Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, and is so popular that it is referred to as “Tokyo’s back yard” along with Hakone and Atami. It is visited by more than 2 million overnight guests annually.

The springs are alkaline and simple, and are said to be effective for burns. The total number of hot springs is 32, with an abundance of 3573 liters of hot water per minute.

Kinugawa Onsen Town extends along the Kinugawa River and is lined with about 40 hotels, inns, resort apartments, and corporate recreation facilities. There are also public bathhouses, footbaths, and many private bathing facilities. The Kinugawa Onsen Station area is well-stocked with convenience stores, souvenir stores, restaurants, cafes, restaurants, tourist information centers, and car rental agencies, attracting many foreign tourists.

There are also many attractive sights and facilities in the surrounding area. The Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge, Kinugawa Onsen Ropeway, Ryuohkyo, Kinugawa Line Rafting, Tobu World Square, and Nikko Edo Village are all attractive spots for tourists.

Historically, it has long been known as Taki Onsen, and it is said that Shigebei Numao discovered its source on the right bank of the Kinugawa River in 1691. It was opened to the public in the Meiji era (1868-1912), and in 1927, Taki Onsen and Fujiwara Onsen were combined and called Kinugawa Onsen. After World War II, the number of tourists increased due to the operation of the “Kinu” express train and other factors, and large resort hotels and inns began to be built in the area.

Kinugawa Onsen is loved by many people as an attractive hot spring resort blessed with a rich hot spring culture and beautiful natural environment.