7 Must-See Spots in Shima Onsen, Gunma: Experience Retro Hot Spring Towns and the Stunning Cobalt Blue Lake!

• Table of Contents
• What is the quality and efficacy of Shima Onsen?
• 1. Enjoy “Yumushi Unajyu” at the river fish restaurant “Kurenai”!
• 2. Coffee break at the retro “Kashiwaya Cafe”
• 3. Just like the world of Ghibli! Take a day trip bath at “Sekizenkan”
• 4. Experience the origins of Shima Onsen at Hinatami Yakushido
• 5. Stay overnight at Kashiwaya Ryokan, a relaxing and modern Japanese-style hotel
• 6. “Lake Okushima” with its beautiful mysterious cobalt blue color
• 7. Savor the fresh ingredients at Ichiriki Sushi, a restaurant popular with locals!
• Access information to Shima Onsen in Gunma Prefecture

Please also see this article for information on day trips to Shima Onsen hot springs and recommended hotels.

What is the quality and efficacy of Shima Onsen?

Shima Onsen, located in Nakanojo Town, Gunma Prefecture, is considered one of Gunma Prefecture's four major hot springs. Due to the quality of its spring water, it has been designated as the first national hot spring resort .

The quality of the spring water is called ``sodium/calcium chloride/sulfate spring (weak saline spring)'', and it is colorless and transparent, has no sulfur odor, and is said to be effective for recovering from cuts, neuralgia, and fatigue. . Because it contains salt, it has a high heat-retaining effect and is also known as a hot spring that prevents you from getting cold.

In addition to hot springs, Shima Onsen is full of charm, including a retro hot spring town, restaurants, and beautiful nature. From here, we will introduce recommended spots for 1 night and 2 days.

1. Enjoy “Yumushi Unajyu” at the river fish restaurant “Kurenai”!

The Shinyu district, located right in the middle of Shima Onsen, has a retro Showa-era streetscape, where you can find the Kurenai you are looking for. The red noren is the landmark.

Founded in 1933 as a hot spring inn with free-flowing hot spring water, we place an emphasis on food to offer our customers the ``taste of living nature'' of Shima, and the deliciousness of the food has led us to open lunch hours. Tao shop. Your expectations are high!

The popular dish, ``Yumushi Unaju'' (3,800 yen), is made with carefully preserved eel in the mountains of Shima, steamed in hot spring water and grilled over charcoal using a secret sauce passed down for 50 years. A dish with. The aroma and fluffy texture are irresistible. You can also enjoy river fish such as rockfish and yamame.

2. Coffee break at the retro “Kashiwaya Cafe”

After filling your stomach with lunch, take a break at the cafe. At Kashiwaya Cafe , a nostalgic cafe located in a renovated building from the early Showa era, you can enjoy handmade sweets, authentic specialty coffee, curry, and more.

This time I ordered the "Onsen Mark Cappuccino". The chocolate hot spring symbol is so cute that you'll want to take a photo of it. The coffee, which is roasted in-house in-house, is very flavorful and gives you a relaxing feeling.

3. Just like the world of Ghibli! Take a day trip bath at “Sekizenkan”

Sekizenkan, a long-established inn founded in 1694, is one of the must-visit spots when visiting Shima Onsen. Enjoy a day bath at Sekizenkan, a charming hotel that resembles the aburaya in Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away.

The day trip bath fee is 1,500 yen (includes face towel and toothbrush). At Genroku-no-Yu (Important Cultural Property), which was built in 1930, you can enjoy high-quality hot springs along with early Showa-era hot spring architecture, such as hall-style bathrooms that let in plenty of outside light, and steam baths. .

Shima Hot Spring Sekizenkan

Sekizen Onsen, Nakanojo Town, Kamitsuma District, Gunma Prefecture 377...

4. Experience the origins of Shima Onsen at Hinatami Yakushido

Hinatami Yakushido (Important Cultural Property) is said to be the birthplace of Shima Onsen. It is said that when a man was sleeping in this place, the god of the mountain appeared in his dream and said, ``I will give you a hot spring that will cure 40,000 diseases,'' and the hot spring began to bubbling. At that time, this hall was built as a commemoration and a statue of Yakushi Nyorai was enshrined there.

Hinatami Yakushi Footbath

377-0601 Shima, Nakanojo-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture

5. Stay overnight at Kashiwaya Ryokan, a relaxing and modern Japanese-style hotel

Kashiwaya Ryokan is a recommended place to stay in Shima Onsen. There are a total of 14 rooms with lovely modern Japanese interiors. There are various types of rooms available, including those with an open-air bath, those with a terrace, and those for single occupancy.

Another great feature is that there are plenty of hot springs available, including a private open-air bath that anyone staying at the hotel can easily use, and a large public bath with beautiful light shining through the stained glass.

Healthy meals made with local ingredients and seasonal delicacies are also popular. The dinner, where you can enjoy various Gunma delicacies such as Gunma's branded Joshu beef, konjac, and flower beans, and the breakfast, where you can choose from three types of Japanese, Western, and brunch, were all healthy and delicious. There are also courses that feature Gunma's river fish as the main course, as well as vegan menus, so be sure to ask about them when making a reservation.

Check Kashiwaya Ryokan from the official website

6. “Lake Okushima” with its beautiful mysterious cobalt blue color

As the name suggests, Oku-Shima Lake is located at the innermost part of Shima Onsen. It is a dam lake created by the Shima River Dam, and is characterized by the beautiful color of the lake's surface, also known as ``Shima Blue.'' This blue color changes depending on the season and time of day, and is said to be the bluest from morning to noon, when water from melting snow flows in from March to May.

In addition to the beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons, Lake Okushima offers activities such as canoeing. When you look at the highly transparent water surface, you get a strange feeling as if you are floating there.

7. Savor the fresh ingredients at Ichiriki Sushi, a restaurant popular with locals!

After enjoying activities at Lake Okushima, why not fill your stomach with delicious sushi? Ichiriki Sushi , located in the Yamaguchi area, is a sushi restaurant that has been loved by locals for many years.

While I was admiring the master's brilliant knife skills, my order was brought to me! The sushi is large and topped with fresh ingredients, all of which are delicious. The sushi rice, cooked on a Mikawa-yaki steamer and charcoal and finished with the perfect amount of vinegar, was so amazing that I couldn't help but order more.

As this is a popular restaurant, reservations are generally recommended. You can also take out, so it might be a good idea to eat it at your hotel for dinner!

Access information to Shima Onsen in Gunma Prefecture

To get to Shima Onsen from Tokyo, you can take a direct bus or use a combination of several transportation methods. Choose the route that fits your budget and schedule.

① If you go by express bus from Tokyo

If you want to go to Shima Onsen directly from Tokyo, we recommend the express bus. The Shima Onsen train from Tokyo Station costs 3,350 yen one way (6,000 yen for a round trip) and takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours to go directly to Shima Onsen. The inside of the car is equipped with free Wi-Fi and USB ports, so you can spend your time comfortably.

② If you go from Tokyo by Shinkansen, train, or bus

If you want to get there in the shortest possible time, we recommend a combination of Shinkansen, train, or bus. From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen or Hokuriku Shinkansen to Takasaki Station, transfer to the Azuma Line, get off at Nakanojo Station, and take the Kanetsu Kotsu bus bound for Shima Onsen from bus stop 1 in front of the station, which will take 2 hours and 30 minutes. It will arrive in about an hour. (The price is about 7,000 yen)

Shima Onsen can be enjoyed even for one night or two days in combination with other hot springs in Gunma Prefecture. Please come and visit us!

Check the tourist information of Shima Onsen