A comprehensive introduction to the best hot springs around Echigo-Yuzawa Station - good for both day trips and overnight stays

Yukiguni no Yado - Takahan Ryokan

Reference: https://twitter.com/jreast_tour/status/844084211233386497
The first one we’ll be introducing is Yukiguni no Yado - Takahan Ryokan. This is a very long-standing, traditional ryokan with a 900-year history. It is known for being the place that famed Japanese author Yasunari Kawabata stayed when he wrote his masterpiece, Snow Country. The room that Yasunari Kawabata stayed in has been left just as it was, and is open to the public for free viewing.

Yukiguno no Yado - Takahan Ryokan, with their illustrious history, takes the most pride, however, in their natural onsen, with its water that is 100% “gensen kakenagashi,” or sourced directly from the spring. Gensen kakenagashi refers to hot springs water that springs naturally from below the ground. The water, which is the perfect temperature at about 43 degrees Celsius, is effective at relieving cold sensitivity and water retention, as well as fatigue. After the bath, you’ll find that your body will be warmed to the core, and you’ll enjoy a deep and restful sleep. You can also make a day trip to the hot springs as well. With just 1,000 yen per person, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the facilities, from the open air baths to the large baths and saunas.

【Details】
Yukiguni no Yado - Takahan Ryokan
Address: 923 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Opening Hours: 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm for day trips (Entrance until 5:00 pm)

Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Sakuratei

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Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Sakuratei is located about a 5-minute drive away from Echigo-Yuzawa Station. Sakuratei is known as a hot spring that makes people beautiful. The hot springs water is 100% gensen kakenagashi and pumped up from underground, and is thought to help improve your metabolism. It warms your body to the core, and is expected to have great detox effects. Get out of the bath, and your skin will feel plump and moisturized. This beneficial effect on the skin has earned this hot spring rave reviews amongst women.

And that’s not all. In addition to the large bath and the open air bath, there are many baths oriented specially for women, including a negative ion bath that has fat-burning effects. Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Sakuratei also offers free shuttle buses to nearby ski resorts, including Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort and Naspa Ski Garden. You can feel good knowing you’re guaranteed a way back to your ski resort. Why not relax at this hot springs with your skiing?

【Details】
Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen Sakuratei
Address: 1926-4 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Opening Hours: Inquire in advance

Hot Spring Yuzawa - Yama no Yu

Reference: https://twitter.com/sakisaki4343/status/824218892872466436
The next hot springs, Hot Spring Yuzawa - Yama no Yu, is the only day-trip, standalone hot springs facility around Echigo-Yuzawa Station with an open air bath. It’s also very easy to get to, at only 3 minutes by car away from Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort. As such, it’s very popular amongst tourists who have come to the area to ski/snowboard.

The greatest thing about Hot Spring Yuzawa - Yama no Yu is without a doubt its open air bath, from which you can look out over a beautiful snowy landscape. The open air bath, made with stone, provides you a mystical view of a sheer white, snowy landscape, that is so beautiful you won’t be able to stop looking at it. The water is simple alkaline hot springs water, thought to help relieve muscle pain and fatigue. Bathe here after skiing - which is a full-body sport - and you’ll find that it will relieve your fatigue.

Another perk is the price - only 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children (4 years old and above and under 12 years old). Lounge in the warmth of the hot springs and you’ll find both your mind and your body will be relaxed.

【Details】
Hot Spring Yuzawa - Yama no Yu
Address: 930 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Onyuyado Nakaya

Onyuyado Nakaya is very easy to get to, at only 10 minutes by car from Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort and Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort. This is a high-end traditional ryokan with an over 400-year history.

The hot springs at Onyuyado Nakaya uses spring water that wells up from the stalactite cave (caves made from groundwater) in the mountain behind the facility. The hot springs water feels smooth and silky on the skin, and helps peel off dirt and impurities from the surface of your skin. Your skill will feel soft and smooth after you get out of the bath. There is a chance, however, that your skin will get dry if any of the water stays on your skin, so make sure to wash off your body with a shower before you leave.

Onyuyado Nakaya is also equipped with an expansive large bath and an open air bath that will let you look out on the mountains that loom right next to the facility. The scenery, which you can only get here, is beautiful and awe-inspiring. After the hot springs, we recommend you lounge around your room, enjoying some of the extraordinary local cuisine.

【Details】
Onyuyado Nakaya
Address: 924 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Opening Hours: 12:00 am - 10:00 am, 1:00 pm - 12:00 am for the large bath; 6:00 am - 10:00 am, 3:00 pm - 12:00 am for the open air bath

Hatago Isen

Reference: https://twitter.com/agu_kawa/status/752173601365696513
Hatago Isen, an unobtrusive building in the district’s shopping area, is a very long-standing ryokan with an over 800-year history. It’s easy to get to, at only a 3-minute walk away from Echigo-Yuzawa Station, and very convenient, with cafes and convenience stores nearby. As such, it’s popular amongst tourists every year.

Because there are many ski resorts around Hatago Isen, the facility offers a full assortment of rental gear, from ski wear to snowboards. They also offer free shuttle buses to NASPA Ski Garden and Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort. You can feel good knowing you’re guaranteed a way back to your ski resort.

Hatago Isen is also equipped with private open air baths that can be locked with a key. There, you’ll be able to relax completely, without fear of being bothered by others. Hatago Isen also offers a free footbath that anybody can use, outside of the facility.

【Details】
Hatago Isen
Address: 2455 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Opening Hours: 2:00 pm - 10:00 am the next day for the large bath, 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm for the private open air bath, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm for the footbath

Takinoyu

Reference: https://twitter.com/yuzawa_takinoyu/media
Next up is Takinoyu. This hot springs is great because you can enjoy natural hot springs water that wells from beneath the ground. The hot springs water is slightly alkaline, which provides very beneficial effects for the skin, making your skin - dry from the cold winds of winter - smooth, plump, and moisturized.

It’s also equipped with open air baths and saunas, as well as free private open air baths (limited to overnight guests) that will allow you to look out at the snowy mountain scenery. You can also make a day trip here for only 1,000 yen per person. After a long day of skiing, you can bathe in the warmth of this hot springs and relieve your fatigue.

Another perk is free Wi-Fi throughout the whole facility. So there’s no need to look around for Internet - just connect, wherever you are, and you’ll be ready to go.

【Details】
Takinoyu
Address: 345-1 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture

Yuzawa New Otani

Reference: https://twitter.com/yuzawanewotani/status/619416215904088064
Last up is Yuzawa New Otani, which is easy to get to, at only a 3-minute drive away from Echigo-Yuzawa Station. There’s a free shuttle bus from the West Exit of Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Yuzawa New Otani. So there’s no need for any tedious rides on the train or the taxi.

Yuzawa New Otani, with its great location, is also known for its amazing variety of baths. They offer five different types of hot springs, all 100% gensen kakenagashi, including a traditional Japanese-style open air bath and the Hisui Super Whirlpool Bath, which is made from an extraordinary amount of charmstones.

The hot springs water is slightly alkaline, which is said to have beneficial effects for the skin. The water is so smooth and silky it feels almost viscous on the skin, and will warm your chilled body from the inside out. As such, we recommend this hot springs to those suffering from cold sensitivity. Warm yourself in the hot springs and try out the five different baths, each with their own unique characteristics. You can also make a day trip here for only 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children (comes with a free rental towel).

【Details】
Yuzawa New Otani
Address: 330 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Opening Hours: Differs by bath

Tired from skiing in the mountains? Go around the hot springs

Reference:https://twitter.com/kinarino/status/936735446444339200
In this article, we introduced you to the 7 must-visit hot springs facilities in Echigo-Yuzawa. The area around Echigo-Yuzawa Station is home to many ski resorts, as well as many day-trip hot springs facilities and accommodation options that come equipped with free shuttle buses to the surrounding ski resorts. For your next trip, why not bathe in a hot spring - a distinctly Japanese experience - in addition to skiing?

Pricing information and schedule may not be up to date and are subject to change without notice. Please check before your trip.