Over 300 Years of History! A Guide to Niigata’s Iwamuro Onsen and Recommended Ryokan

• Table of Contents
• What is Iwamuro Onsen?
• [Day trip hot spring] "Yorinare", a place of relaxation for local residents
• [Day trip hot spring] "Daironoyu" where you can enjoy three types of baths with natural hot spring water
• [Accommodation] "Hoho" where you can enjoy the four seasons of Niigata and the blessings of Iwamuro Onsen
• access

What is Iwamuro Onsen?

Iwamuro Onsen is located in Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, almost in the center of Niigata Prefecture. It is a hot spring resort with a history of over 300 years, dating back to the Edo period, and has been loved by many people.

The biggest feature of Iwamuro Onsen is that it is a rare "black hot spring" throughout Japan.

It is said that the hot springs are black because many of the sulfur components combine with carbon. If the fine black particles get on the soles of your feet, your skin may turn black, but this will wash off easily within a few days.

This feature is one of the unique characteristics of Iwamuro Onsen, so be sure to enjoy Kuroyu Onsen.

In honor of the black hot springs, black-themed souvenirs, bento boxes, and goods are on sale around Iwamuro Onsen. Recommended for those looking for a slightly unique souvenir.

The spring quality is hypertonic and slightly alkaline, and is renowned for its excellent efficacy in treating a variety of symptoms, including neuralgia, stiff shoulders, poor circulation, and stress.

Due to its excellent spring quality, it has been designated as a national hot spring resort and is loved by many tourists from both Japan and abroad.

[Day trip hot spring] "Yorinare", a place of relaxation for local residents

"Yorinare" is a day-trip hot spring facility operated by Niigata City. For 500 yen per visit for adults, including towels, it is a wallet-friendly hot spring where you can fully enjoy the benefits of Iwamuro Onsen. As it is located on a slight hill within the Iwamuro Onsen town, you can get a panoramic view of the Echigo Plain and the hot spring town.

The men's and women's baths are named the Rock Bath and the Wooden Bath, respectively, and both open-air baths use hot spring water from the Iwamuro hot spring source.

After receiving a towel at the reception, I immediately tried to get into the bath, but the receptionist asked me, "Did you drink the water?" Apparently, the hypertonic, weakly alkaline nature of Iwamuro Onsen's spring water allows the hot spring ingredients to easily penetrate the body even in a short time.

For this reason, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids before and after entering the hot spring, and this writer was able to do so without any problems.

The indoor baths for both men and women are small and can accommodate about 7 people, while the open-air baths can accommodate about 3 people. At Yorinare, which places importance on a homely atmosphere, many customers enjoy bathing while sharing the baths with other customers.

At the reception, regulars were exchanging greetings with each other, and many people smiled at me in the bath, so I was able to experience the warmth of people.

As you relax in the open-air bath, your hands and feet will gradually warm up, and you will feel the fatigue of your journey gradually ease away.

When I was in the water up to my shoulders, I started to sweat even for a short time, and my body warmed up quickly, which made me realize just how great Iwamuro Onsen is. Even after I got out of the bath, I felt warm and comfortable for a while, making this a very satisfying day trip hot spring experience.

Click here for the official website of Yorinare

Yorinare

953-0141 3331 Ishise, Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture

This is a day-trip hot spring facility located in Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. There are two types of baths: a large pub...

[Day trip hot spring] "Daironoyu" where you can enjoy three types of baths with natural hot spring water

While in Iwamuro Onsen town, you can enjoy another hot spring, Tabo Onsen, at Dairo no Yu.

This is a rare spot for a day-trip hot spring facility, where you can soak in 100% natural hot spring water that flows directly from the source.

A special feature of Dairo no Yu is that the color of the water changes depending on the day.

The color of the water changes depending on the climate, facilities, and natural conditions. It can be milky white or greenish, and the unpredictable changes are a delight to watch.

Apparently the colors of the men's and women's baths sometimes change even at the same time, so it's a great place to visit with your family or partner.

In addition, at Dairo no Yu, you can bathe in three hot springs that flow directly from the source, which is rare in Japan. The three hot springs are used for the "Ooba Open-Air Bath", "Indoor Bath", and "Open-Air Waterfall Bath", starting from No. 1.

The baths have a variety of benefits, such as improving skin condition, softening dead skin cells, and providing relaxation, so you can enjoy a luxurious bathing experience depending on your physical condition or level of fatigue.

The open-air bath is spacious and perfect for relaxing in the tub.

Although it is an open-air bath, it is covered like a hut, so you can relax in the tub without feeling cold even in winter.

At the entrance to Dairo no Yu, there is a tap where you can drink the spring water.

The water is at a gentle temperature, and when you put it in your mouth you can taste a slight saltiness and a sulfurous scent that wafts through your nose. This is also a hot spring, so you can drink the water any time during Dairo no Yu's opening hours.

The facility also has a lounge where you can relax after your bath, and a souvenir corner with a wide selection of Niigata's specialty products. Be sure to check it out as a day trip hot spring where you can spend an elegant hour or two.

Click here for the official website of Dairo no Yu

Dairo no Yu

953-0141 3250 Ishise, Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture

This is a day-trip hot spring facility located in Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. It has three hot springs, which is very r...

[Accommodation] "Hoho" where you can enjoy the four seasons of Niigata and the blessings of Iwamuro Onsen

A recommended place to stay is Hoho, an inn with a panoramic view of the Echigo Plain and the Yahiko mountain range.

This is the only hot spring inn in Niigata Prefecture where you can enjoy both natural hot springs and bedrock bathing at the same time. The moment you enter the inn, the smell of sulfur will suddenly envelop your entire body.

hot spring

When I stepped into the bath, I felt a fantastical atmosphere as steam rose softly from the water.

Wash your body thoroughly in the private washing area separated by glass, and then take a bath!

There are two types of hot springs: a large indoor bath and an open-air bath, and it boasts being the largest in Iwamuro Onsen.

When you submerge yourself in the indoor bath, the lush green garden spreads out before you, giving you a sense of freedom as if you were taking a walk in the forest.

Surrounded by the soothing aroma of sulfur, you can reminisce about your trip and relax while warming your body.

Once your body temperature starts to rise, it's time to head to the open-air bath.

As I headed to the open-air bath, feeling the Niigata night breeze, I was greeted by the soft steam and water and took a deep breath. Even though it was night, I quickly warmed up from the core of my body and the night breeze felt comfortable.

Also, when I looked at the bottom of my feet after getting out of the bath, I found black iron sulfide deposits!

It felt like we received a "souvenir" from Iwamuro Onsen, and it was a hot spring experience that was warm and fuzzy for both body and mind.

meal

■ Dinner

After the bath, the hungry author was greeted with the dishes of HoHo's premium dinner, the "Luxurious Niigata Enjoyment Course."

Niigata Prefecture, which has hot summers and cold winters and faces the Sea of Japan, is said to be a treasure trove of seafood and agricultural products.

An array of seasonal ingredients is on display, sure to whet your appetite.

The highlight of the meal is a shabu-suki comparison of branded Matsugami beef and branded Echigo Mochi pork!

By immersing the glossy meat in the broth, you can create your own private shabu-suki.

The tender Matsugami beef and Echigo Mochi Pork, with their refined fat, were luxuriously enjoyed together with Nodoguro (rosy seabass) rice cooked in a pot.

In addition, we enjoyed a dinner packed with rice accompaniments unique to the rice-producing region of Niigata, such as sashimi with shrimp and tuna, grilled marinated silver cod, and miso soup made with Echigo miso.

■Breakfast

If you follow the delicious aroma wafting out of the breakfast area, you'll find a warm breakfast ready to warm your body after waking up.

It comes with six small side dishes that go well with rice, including hot tofu made from jade tofu and Noppe, a local Niigata dish.

For breakfast, we offer a rice tasting buffet where you can compare different rice varieties from different regions!

You can compare the taste of Iyahiko rice, Iwafune, and Uonuma Koshihikari rice, and soak up the bounty of Niigata in the morning.

Click here for the official website of Yado Hoho, which overlooks the Echigo Plain and the Yahiko Mountain Range.

Hoho

953-0104 340 Iwamuro Onsen, Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefe...

Located in Iwamuro Onsen, this is a long-established inn founded in the Meiji era.

access

There are several ways to access Iwamuro Onsen, including taking the train and bus, or taking the Niigata West Court Liner from Niigata Airport.

The accessibility will vary depending on whether you use Niigata Station or Niigata Airport, so we will explain in detail.

[Access from the Tokyo metropolitan area] Joetsu Shinkansen + bus

First, travel to Niigata Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen. From Tokyo, it takes about an hour and a half on the fastest train, or about two hours and 15 minutes if you take a local train.

Even if you are coming from Osaka or Hiroshima, you will need to travel to Tokyo or Omiya first.

After arriving at Niigata Station, transfer to the JR Echigo Line and get off at Iwamuro Station. From Iwamuro Station, take a local bus (Maki-Wano-Iwamuro-Mase Line) and get off at Iwamuro Onsen.

It takes about an hour and a half from Niigata Station to the Iwamuro Onsen bus stop.

In addition, the Nishikan Sightseeing Tour Bus operates only on weekends and holidays from late April to late October when there is no snowfall, and takes you around Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, where Iwamuro Onsen is located.

You can tour the tourist attractions of Nishikan Ward, including Dairo-no-Yu, Yahiko Shrine, and Caved'D'Occhi Winery, focusing on the hot spring town.

With a one-day pass for just 500 yen, you can enjoy Iwamuro Onsen town to the fullest at a reasonable price.

Click here for details about Gurun Bus

[Access from Niigata Airport] Airplane + Niigata West Coast Liner

If you are traveling from Niigata Airport to Iwamuro Onsen, we recommend using the Niigata West Coast Liner.

The Niigata West Coast Liner is a shared taxi that requires a reservation in advance. It costs 3,000 yen per person one way and can take you to tourist spots such as the Niigata Wine Coast and Yahiko Shrine.

For details on the Niigata West Coast Liner, click here

[Access from Taiwan] Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Niigata Airport

Direct flights are available from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Niigata Airport on Mondays and Fridays only. The flight takes about 4 hours, making it easy to get to Niigata from Taiwan. From Niigata Airport, take the Niigata West Coast Liner, which we explained above, to Iwamuro Onsen.

If you depart on a Friday and return on a direct flight the following Monday, you can enjoy a luxurious three-night, four-day trip to Niigata.