Enjoy the Beautiful Nature and Unique Cuisine of Nagano! 8 Ways to Have Fun in Kakeyu Onsen, Nagano Prefecture

• Table of Contents
• "Kakeyu" is known for its soft and pleasant spring quality.
• [Nature] Enjoy the bright red autumn leaves and the spectacular view of Uchimura Dam all to yourself!
• [Nature] Spectacular views only available in winter! Enjoy the “Ice Lantern Dream Prayer” and “Kotatsu Bar” at Gotai Bridge
• [Food] ``Kuroiwa Ryokan'' where you can enjoy warm customer service, exquisite cuisine, and soothing hot springs
• [Food] I definitely want to try it! Apple pie from Saito Confectionery Studio
• [Food] Visit the origin of Japanese wine “Château Mercian”
• [Local experience] Spend a relaxing time at a pizza shop (and inn) popular with locals
• [Local experience] Interact with local people through morning exercise and Japanese drumming experience
• Access information to Kakeyu Onsen

"Kakeyu" is known for its soft and pleasant spring quality.

Kakeyu Onsen, located in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, is a hot spring resort that has prospered as a hot spring resort since the Edo period, and is part of the Maruko Onsen Village, along with nearby Oshio Onsen and Reisenji Onsen. It is called. It is a colorless, transparent, weakly alkaline simple hot spring that has a reputation for ``warming your body from the core'' and ``very soft water,'' and has even been designated as a national hot spring resort .

Kakeyu Onsen has many attractive spots in and around the hot spring town! This time, we will introduce recommended sightseeing spots divided into three categories: "Nature", "Food", and "Enjoying the locals".

[Nature] Enjoy the bright red autumn leaves and the spectacular view of Uchimura Dam all to yourself!

Autumn is when Kakeyu Onsen is at its busiest. From late October onwards, the mountains surrounding the hot spring town begin to turn beautiful colors. Events are also held to sell matsutake mushrooms grown in the nearby mountains.

Kakeyu, located a short distance away (about 30 minutes walk) from Rokukyoyu Onsen, is a spot you should definitely visit during this season. The red and orange autumn leaves and the cobalt blue water surface that reflects them is a sight to behold. There aren't that many people, so you might be able to have the spectacular view all to yourself!

[Nature] Spectacular views only available in winter! Enjoy the “Ice Lantern Dream Prayer” and “Kotatsu Bar” at Gotai Bridge

Winter at Kakeyu Onsen is also full of attractive events! Winter events include the ``Ice Lantern Dream Prayer,'' where the Kakeyu Bridge, the symbol of Rokukyoyu Onsen, is lit up in a dreamlike manner, and the ``Kotatsu Bar,'' where you can sit under a kotatsu in a glamping tent and enjoy a hotpot meal. A wonderful event will be held.

Both events last about a month, so we recommend checking the schedule in advance. (Past dates: Ice Lantern Dream Prayer December 28, 2023 - January 31, 2024, Kotatsu Bar January 5 - 27, 2024)

[Food] ``Kuroiwa Ryokan'' where you can enjoy warm customer service, exquisite cuisine, and soothing hot springs

Kuroiwa Ryokan , which is known for its courteous and homely customer service, is a ryokan where you can enjoy not only hot springs and rooms, but also excellent food.

The menu changes daily, taking into account vegetables grown by the proprietress and seasonal flavors, and each dish is full of surprises and discoveries. The salt-grilled rockfish and Shinshu beef sirloin steak are delicious, but the carefully prepared appetizers, vegetables, and pickles are also wonderful, so it's no wonder so many customers come here for the food.

[Food] I definitely want to try it! Apple pie from Saito Confectionery Studio

Nagano Prefecture is also a producing area of ​​apples. At Kakeyu Onsen, you can enjoy apple pie made with luxurious Fuji apples from Shinshu. There is also an eat-in space inside the store, where you can enjoy various types of apple pies with your coffee.

When you take a bite, you can feel the crunchy texture of the apple and the gentle flavor of butter. They are also very particular about the pie dough, which is made with domestic butter and eggs from Matsumoto, and is folded in over and over again over two days (apparently there are 256 layers!) to achieve a crispy texture and a soft melt-in-the-mouth texture. It seems that it is.

[Food] Visit the origin of Japanese wine “Château Mercian”

Chateau Mercian Mariko Winery, located near Kakeyu Onsen, is also a must-see spot. Wanko Winery is the only Japanese winery to be selected for four consecutive years in the World Best Vineyard 2023, which selects the world's best wineries, and is ranked 38th in the world and No. 1 in Asia.

A winery tour includes a tour of the fields, brewing facility, and barrel cellar, followed by a wine tasting. There is also a souvenir corner, so be sure to check that out too!

Check winery details

[Local experience] Spend a relaxing time at a pizza shop (and inn) popular with locals

CAFÉ BOSCO, which operates in a corner of the Ryokan Rokumeiso, is also a must-visit spot. In addition to the regular menu such as margherita and teriyaki chicken, there are seasonal pizzas such as Shinshu mushroom and vegetable pizzas, as well as daily pizzas.

This time I ordered a Margherita. Once an order is placed, the pizza is topped with toppings and baked in a special pizza oven.

The freshly baked pizza is a wonderful dish with the richness of the cheese and sauce and the refreshing taste of the basil. The pizza dough was particularly delicious, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and I devoured it in no time.

The store is crowded with not only tourists but also locals. The owner of CAFÉ BOSCO is also the central person in planning various events at Kakeyu Onsen, so it would be interesting to talk to him if the timing is right.

[Local experience] Interact with local people through morning exercise and Japanese drumming experience

If you have time in the morning or evening, go to the exchange center at Kakeyu Onsen. Gymnastics exercises are held here every morning from 9am, and not only locals but also tourists can participate. Also, you can experience Japanese drumming ( Shinshu Maruko Taiko ``Tsuzukijo'' ) every Thursday from 7:30 pm, so it might be a good idea to check in advance before participating.

Access information to Kakeyu Onsen

If you go by Shinkansen from Tokyo

From Tokyo Station, take the Nagano Shinkansen and get off at Ueda Station. Approximately 1 hour by bus ( Chikuma Bus bound for Kakeyu Onsen) or 40 minutes by taxi. If you are heading from Shinjuku, take the Limited Express Azusa and get off at Matsumoto Station. It takes about 50 minutes by bus ( Shoden Alpico Bus bound for Kakeyu) or 30 minutes by taxi. If you use the bus, be sure to check the bus company's website for the timetable as the number of buses is limited!

If you go by car from Tokyo Station

If you are heading from Nerima IC, take the Kanetsu Expressway and Joshinetsu Expressway to Tobu-Yunomaru IC. Take National Routes 18, 152 (toward Maruko Town), and 254 (towards Matsumoto) to Kakeyu Onsen (40 minutes). From Takaido IC, take the Chuo Expressway/Nagano Expressway to Matsumoto IC or Azumino IC. Arrive at Kakeyu Onsen via National Route 254 and Sansaiyama Tunnel (40 minutes). In winter, be careful of snow while driving.

Choose the transportation method that suits your length of stay and purpose and enjoy a safe and comfortable journey!