8 Ways to Enjoy Iwamuro Onsen's Famous Black Hot Springs in Niigata: A Sensory Experience in a Steaming Hot Spring Town!

• Table of Contents
• What kind of place is Iwamuro Onsen, where you can feel warm and cozy in just a short amount of time?
• 1. Shusekian: Bringing out the best in Niigata ingredients
• 2. Kadoya Etsudo, a confectionery shop that was a resting place for travelers along the Hokkoku Kaido road
• 3. Enjoy an exciting shopping experience at Kofujiya, a Japanese confectionery shop packed with ingenuity and creativity
• 4. Nefara: Your curiosity will be piqued by the exotic aromas that waft out of the store
• 5. "Yorinare" - a day trip hot spring with a panoramic view of the Echigo Plain and the hot spring town
• 6. "Daironoyu" where you can luxuriously enjoy three types of hot spring water
• 7. Nothing to bring! Experience indigo dyeing empty-handed at "Ai to Shiro"
• 8. "Iwamuroya" - A foot bath filled with black hot spring water
• Access Information

What kind of place is Iwamuro Onsen, where you can feel warm and cozy in just a short amount of time?

Iwamuro Onsen was first discovered over 300 years ago during the Edo period. It developed as a resting place for travelers along the Hokkoku Kaido road, and even today the hot spring town is lined with Japanese sweet shops where you can hydrate and hot springs.

What sets Iwamuro Onsen apart from other hot springs is the distinctive color of the water. Many of the sulfur components combine with carbon and other substances, staining the hot spring black. If these fine black particles come into contact with the skin, such as the soles of your feet, your skin may turn black, but this is also one of the unique characteristics of Iwamuro Onsen. Please enjoy, thinking of it as a stamp of approval from the hot spring itself.

The spring quality is hypertonic and slightly alkaline, and is famous for its excellent efficacy in treating various symptoms such as neuralgia, stiff shoulders, poor circulation, and stress. Due to its excellent quality, it has also been designated as a national hot spring resort .

However, because the spring is hypertonic and weakly alkaline, long baths are strictly prohibited. Because water in the body is easily expelled (leading to dehydration), it takes a short time for you to get hot. It is recommended that you drink plenty of water before and after bathing.

1. Shusekian: Bringing out the best in Niigata ingredients

Kaiseki Shusekian, founded in 1997, is located right in the center of Iwamuro Onsen town.

Shuseki-an, run by the elder brother Shintaro Kobayashi and the younger brother Ryuta Abe, serves Japanese cuisine made with ingredients from Niigata in a relaxed atmosphere.

This time we had the kaiseki omakase course.

This popular course includes eight Japanese dishes, sweets, and matcha green tea.

The dishes are served one by one at just the right time, and all of them are beautiful to look at. The dishes and chopstick rests are also changed depending on the season and the food, so you can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the food.

On this day, we were able to enjoy stews made with Niigata vegetables, sesame dressing accented with Japanese pepper, and plump whitefish milt.

"We want our customers to enjoy the match between our cuisine, which reflects the four seasons of Japan, and the tableware and sake that go with it. Since the ingredients and dishes we use change depending on the season, we hope to be able to offer seasonal flavors that are unique to Japan," say owners Kobayashi and Abe.

It was a famous restaurant that made me think about returning, wondering, "What kind of food will I be able to eat the next time I visit?"

Kaiseki Shuseki-an

617 Iwamuro Onsen, Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, 95...

Located in the heart of Niigata Prefecture's historic Iwamuro Onsen, Kaiseki Shusekian serves carefully prepared Japanese cuisine made with...

2. Kadoya Etsudo, a confectionery shop that was a resting place for travelers along the Hokkoku Kaido road

Leaving Shuseki-an and walking a few dozen steps to the left, Kadoya Etsudo will come into view.

Founded in the late Edo period, Kadoya Etsudo was originally a general store selling raincoats, umbrellas, and other items.

As the Hokkoku Kaido road developed, the store gradually began selling sweets, and now it supports Iwamuro Onsen town as a long-established sweet shop.

Inside the store, you'll find a wide selection of hot spring manju, kintsuba, monaka, and other items that can be purchased individually.

All sweets are made in the shop early in the morning, and you can feel the warmth of handmade products and the gentle flavors that come from the ingredients.

The moment I put the Kintsuba I had in my mouth, I was surprised at how fresh it was, something I would never have guessed! The freshly cooked red beans and the gentle sweetness that became more pronounced the more I chewed it were very soothing.

The shop is open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, and until 6:30 pm in winter. The long opening hours make it a perfect place to buy souvenirs early in the morning or late at night.

3. Enjoy an exciting shopping experience at Kofujiya, a Japanese confectionery shop packed with ingenuity and creativity

Just a 2-3 minute walk from Kadoya Etsudo is Kofujiya, a confectionery shop founded in 1869.

We manufacture and sell "Iwamuro Senbei", which has now become a specialty of Iwamuro Onsen.

The store's display case is lined with a variety of Japanese and Western sweets, perfect for a light snack at the ryokan or to eat on the spot.

He highly recommended the "Fig Yokan," made with Echi no Shizuku, a brand of fig grown in Nishikan Ward, as a souvenir.

It can be stored at room temperature and has a long shelf life of about three months, which is why it is said to be popular foreign visitors.

This yokan is made without any red bean paste and is made from 100% figs, making it very moist and with a texture similar to jam.

You can enjoy the unique granular texture of figs, and they go well with tea or coffee.

"Strangely enough, each generation of our family makes one sweet that becomes a huge hit. The third generation made Iwamuro rice crackers, the fourth generation made ganoko, the fifth generation made egg buns, and in our generation it was tofu pudding. Each sweet is sold in units of just one or two, so be sure to buy one as a souvenir," said store owner Muto.

It's also fun to think about the sweets that were popular throughout the ages and how their flavors remain unchanged today.

4. Nefara: Your curiosity will be piqued by the exotic aromas that waft out of the store

If you walk about 200m from Kofujiya through the hot spring town, you will come across Nefara, a restaurant specializing in South Indian cuisine. This is the perfect restaurant for travelers who want to have the unique experience of eating foreign cuisine in a good old Japanese hot spring town.

When you hear Indian food, you think of curry, but when you listen to what people say, it seems that it is "similar to curry but not the same."

The closest thing to curry is a sour soup called sambar.

The main dish is called "meals," which is called a lunch set in South India, and it comes with it.

Nefara's cuisine uses fluffy Indian rice to recreate the local flavor.

Other dishes served on the plate included Indian doughnut vada, Indian pickle achar, and bean paste kuthu, all of which looked sumptuous and gorgeous.

"Don't mix the mutton curry with the rice, just eat it as is. If you mix the other vegetable side dishes with the Indian rice, you can enjoy the change in flavor," was the advice we were given, so we tried it straight away!

The curry has a spicy, slightly hot flavor that warms the body after a long walk around the hot spring town. The light taste goes well with the Indian rice, making it easy to eat.

Vegetable side dishes that are uncommon in Japan are perfect as a palate cleanser, with a slight sweetness and crunchy texture.

I enjoyed the unknown combination of various side dishes, and it was a lunch that made me feel like I had gained some life experience.

Nefaara

637 Iwamuro Onsen, Nishikan Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, 95...

Located in Iwamuro Onsen town, this restaurant serves authentic ethnic cuisine.

5. "Yorinare" - a day trip hot spring with a panoramic view of the Echigo Plain and the hot spring town

Once your stomach is full and you've purchased some souvenirs, it's time to enjoy the luxury of Iwamuro Onsen!

Yorinare is a day spa facility that is open from 10am to 8pm and is the perfect spot to relieve the fatigue of your travels.

The standard bathing fee is 500 yen for adults, including a towel, but children and city residents aged 65 and over can bathe for just 300 yen.

As I was about to take a long-awaited bath, the receptionist asked me, "Have you drunk any water?"

"The ingredients in Iwamuro Onsen are more easily absorbed into the body than at other hot springs. It's a good idea to drink plenty of water before and after entering the hot spring," he explained carefully.

Drink plenty of water from the water dispenser next to the reception desk and then take a bath!

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 you immerse yourself in the water up to your neck, sweat starts to trickle down your forehead even after just a short time, and you really get a feel for the amazingness of Iwamuro Onsen.

The warm feeling continued even after I got out of the bath, leaving me feeling refreshed in both mind and body.

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...

6. "Daironoyu" where you can luxuriously enjoy three types of hot spring water

Located about 1km from Iwamuro Onsen town is Dairo no Yu, where you can enjoy Tabo Onsen.

It has three hot spring sources different from Iwamuro Onsen, making it a day-trip hot spring facility where you can enjoy touring three different hot springs at once.

Each of the three hot springs has different functions and is used in the Ooba open-air bath, the indoor bath, and the open-air waterfall bath.

For example, the hot spring water used in the Ooba open-air bath is known to have a great effect on the skin, leaving your skin smooth and silky! A total of 160 liters of water flows per minute for both men and women, meaning you can always bathe in fresh hot spring water, which is another attraction.

The water used in the indoor bath is rich in alkaline ions, which is said to have a relaxing effect.

You can take breaks and enjoy bathing in different baths depending on your physical condition and mood.

Also, at Dairo no Yu, you can experience the fascinating fact that the color of the water changes depending on the day.

The water may turn milky white or greenish, or change color in the men's and women's baths at the same time; these unexpected changes will become a memorable part of your trip.

This time, the writer spent a good amount of time soaking in the Ooba Open-Air Bath, which is said to have skin-beautifying and blood-circulation-boosting effects.

The open-air bath, which boasts an area of 50 tatami mats, is spacious and perfect for relaxing.

Although it was an open-air bath, it was covered like a hut, so I was able to soak in the tub for a long time without feeling cold.

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...

7. Nothing to bring! Experience indigo dyeing empty-handed at "Ai to Shiro"

If you're looking for a tangible memento of your trip... If that sounds like you, we recommend you visit "Ai to Shiro," where you can experience indigo dyeing.

At Ai to Shiro, located in the heart of Iwamuro Onsen town, you can experience indigo dyeing one-on-one, limited to two groups per day.

Indigo dyeing is a technique for dyeing fabric with paint extracted from the indigo plant. It has been used in Western Asia since around 6000 BC, and is said to have been introduced to Japan during the Nara period.

For the indigo and white, we used artificial indigo, which has good color retention, and we tried various methods using marbles, hoses, rubber bands, etc. to create various patterns as we wanted.

This is a one-on-one experience, so you can discuss with the owner, Mr. Kiyono, to find the pattern you want.

The writer tried to use a hose to make a drawstring bag with a wave-like gradation, but Kiyono advised, "Since there are two layers of fabric, it may not be possible to get a wave-like pattern on both sides."

Still not giving up, we tried again, prepared to fail, and when we did, a gradient drawstring bag emerged on both sides, and Kiyono and I were thrilled!

"The dye takes on a better effect than I expected. That's the charm of indigo dyeing," he said, experiencing the true joy of the indigo dyeing experience.

Ai to Shiro also sells earrings, earrings, and tie pins made from indigo-dyed fabric sealed in resin. These would make great gifts for friends and family.

8. "Iwamuroya" - A foot bath filled with black hot spring water

As the trip comes to an end, the perfect place to look for local vegetables and Niigata souvenirs is Iwamuroya, a tourist facility in Iwamuro, Niigata City.

This is a spot that provides and guides you to information on the history, culture, and tourism of Nishikan Ward as a whole, with a focus on Iwamuro Onsen. If you go to Iwamuroya, you can get anything you want, from freshly picked local vegetables and pickles to Iwamuro souvenirs.

"We've recently started offering bicycle rentals, so more and more people are enjoying cycling around Yahiko Shrine and the Iwamuro area. Electric bicycles can be rented for 500 yen a day, and sports bikes for 1,000 yen a day," explained a staff member at Iwamuroya as we walked around the area.

When you arrive at Iwamuro Onsen, it might be a good idea to start by warming up for your trip at Iwamuroya.

Iwamuroya also has a free foot bath spot that is loved by locals!

The gourd-shaped foot bath, where sitting facing each other naturally leads to a conversation, is apparently visited by a variety of people, from locals to tourists.

Here you can clearly see the black hot spring water that is a specialty of Iwamuro Onsen!

We ended our trip to Iwamuro Onsen by soothing our tired calves in a foot bath. Surrounded by the scent of sulfur, we were able to fully enjoy the charms of Iwamuro Onsen town until the very end.

Access Information

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 there, board the West Tourist Bus 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.