Radium hot springs are the main attraction! A complete guide to gourmet food, sightseeing, and hot spring spots in Gozu Onsen-go , Niigata.

For information on accommodations and day-trip hot spring facilities in the Gozu Onsen-go, please also check out this article.

Niigata Prefecture has other attractive hot spring resorts as well. Please check them out too.

• Table of Contents
• What is "Gozu Onsen-go, " where you can bathe in three different hot springs?
• Top 10 Recommended Restaurants, Sightseeing Spots, and Hot Springs in Gozu Onsen-go
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What is "Gozu Onsen-go, " where you can bathe in three different hot springs?

Gozu Onsen-go that can be accessed from Tokyo in about 3.5 hours by Shinkansen bullet train and rental car. In 2016, it was designated as the 93rd People's Health Resort Spring in Japan.

It is said that the Gozu Onsen-go was opened by Kobo Daishi over 1200 years ago, and this story is still passed down among the local people today.

This is a rare hot spring area where three different hot springs—Ideyu, Imata, and Murasugi—with slightly different mineral compositions, gush forth within a radius of about 3 kilometers.
Each hot spring has different bathing spots, making it perfect for a hot spring tour.

What these three hot springs have in common is that they are all "radium hot springs," which are rare in Japan. This is a general term for hot springs whose water contains a certain amount of radon.

Radon emits small amounts of radiation, and it is thanks to this radiation that many beneficial effects can be expected. It is said to be attracting attention for its potential in treating neuralgia, gout, and gynecological diseases.

Because it has a history of flourishing as a hot spring resort, I recommend staying for several nights to fully enjoy the benefits of the radium hot springs.

Top 10 Recommended Restaurants, Sightseeing Spots, and Hot Springs in Gozu Onsen-go

Gozu Onsen-go offers a wealth of tourist attractions, from beautiful scenery throughout the seasons to unique local cuisine. We'll introduce you to the best spots to fully enjoy Gozu Onsen-go while interacting with the locals.

[Gourmet] "Niigata's Kamameshi: Gozusanroku Restaurant Shimizu" - where seasonal ingredients are packed into a rice pot.

For lunchtime, try "Shimizu," where you can enjoy freshly prepared kamameshi (rice cooked in a pot). They mill their own Koshihikari rice from Agano City , so you can always enjoy shiny, fresh rice.

The most popular dish is the mixed rice dish with plenty of ingredients. This rice dish, generously filled with shrimp, scallops, salmon, shiitake mushrooms, and more, becomes more flavorful with every bite.

The generous portion size, which includes miso soup, a small side dish, pickles, and fruit, is one of the secrets to its popularity.

The limited-time "Duck Hot Pot Set Meal" is a fan favorite. The duck hot pot, with its melted fat, will make you want to eat every last drop of the soup, but try to resist that urge. Finish off with rice porridge or udon noodles to enjoy every last bit of the ingredients.

The official website is here.

Niigata Kamameshi (rice cooked in a pot) Restaurant at the foot o...

Hot spring 1178, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-1926

This restaurant serves seasonal kamameshi and hot pot dishes. They polish their own koshihikari rice produced in Agano City, so you can always enjoy shiny rice.

[Gourmet] "Forest Confectionery Shop Gland" offers desserts you'll want to eat every day.

"Gland, the Forest Confectionery," is located between Imata Onsen and Murasugi Onsen. The shop's name, "Gland," means acorn in French, because it is situated at the foot of a Mizunara oak tree where acorns grow.

Recommended items include the "Gateau Chocolat," created out of the owner Mr. Kato's love of chocolate, and the chiffon cake, which is easy to eat while strolling around.

Our gateau chocolat is a proud creation made with plenty of chocolate. Its rich and decadent taste makes it the perfect treat for when you want to pamper yourself.

Our chiffon cakes feature a different combination of batter and ingredients each day, so you can enjoy a different flavor every time you visit. We also use plenty of seasonal fruits such as Shine Muscat grapes, Le Lectier pears, and Echigo Hime strawberries.

The chiffon cake, in particular, has an incredibly fluffy and chewy texture that you won't forget once you've tried it! It's also easy to take home as a souvenir, so be sure to visit when you're craving something sweet.

Official Instagram is here

Forest Sweets Shop Gland

4776-2, Murasugi, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-1928

This popular local sweets shop sells sweets that are easy to eat every day, not just for special occasions. They can be enjoyed on the benches in front of the store or taken home as a souvenir, making them suitable for a variety of occasions. Their signature dish is the rich "Gâteau au Chocolat."

[Gourmet] "Ideyu Onsen Bread Workshop" is famous for its fluffy bread made with 100% hot spring water.

Deyu Onsen Bakery is famous for its bread made with plenty of Gozu hot spring water and local ingredients. It's a gourmet spot you should definitely check out when sightseeing around Deyu Onsen.

The water used in making the bread is 100% from the Izuyu hot spring. Furthermore, they are particular about using locally produced natural yeast, resulting in bread that is incomparably chewy and fluffy!

Their take-out loaves of bread are a bestseller, and they enjoy enthusiastic support not only from tourists but also from locals. To avoid them selling out, try visiting early in the day.

Store Information
Address: 809-1 Agano City Niigata Prefecture
Business days and hours:
[Closed] Wednesdays and Thursdays [Opening Hours] 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Fridays only)
Phone number: 0250-62-1566
Website: https://www.instagram.com/deyuuonsen_pancobo/
Access: 5-minute walk from the Agano City Bus stop "Deyu Onsen," or 20-minute taxi ride from JR Uetsu Main Line "Mizuhara Station."

[Gourmet] "Aichaku Coffee Deyu Onsen Tea Room" where adults can relax.

Just a three-minute walk from the Izuyu Onsen Bakery is Aichaku Coffee Izuyu Onsen Tea Room. Opened in 2018, stepping inside gives you a strange feeling as if you've entered a different era.

This is thanks to the antique furniture that owner Ishikawa has collected over the years, and the relaxed atmosphere created by the old house that has stood the test of time in this area. It's a traditional coffee shop that you should visit when you want to take some time to reflect on yourself while traveling, or when you want to relax after a bath.

The shop's must-try is their freshly brewed, carefully selected coffee. We recommend savoring it slowly with their homemade cakes and scones.

This establishment welcomes travelers as a haven for adults, and children under junior high school age are not allowed inside. It is a renowned establishment that maintains a unique atmosphere and quietly offers hospitality to its customers.

Official Instagram is here

Store Information
Address: 738 Agano City Niigata Prefecture
Business days and hours:
[Regular closing days] Wednesdays and Thursdays (closed even on public holidays)
[Business Hours] (Weekdays) 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Last order 3:00 PM) (Sundays and holidays) 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order 2:00 PM)
Phone number: 0250-62-8686
Access: 5-minute walk from the Agano City Bus stop "Deyu Onsen," or 20-minute taxi ride from JR Uetsu Main Line "Mizuhara Station."

[Tourism] "Ikoi no Mori" - A place where you can "visit" nature.

Ikoi no Mori is a tourist spot where you can stroll through mostly untouched nature. A walk around the park takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and it's usually a place where locals walk their dogs and socialize, making it an integral part of their daily lives.

You can fully enjoy nature, from the tranquil river and the sacred tree that dominates the forest, to the lawn perfect for forest bathing. You can enjoy a quiet and enriching time, feeling as if you are a guest in the natural ecosystem.

Also, if you go to the office near the parking lot, you might be able to meet Suzu the cat and Sanpei and Luna the chickens who live in Ikoi no Mori. Feeding them, petting them, and interacting with these gentle animals is one of the unique pleasures of Ikoi no Mori.

Ikoi no Mori at the Foothills of Mount Gozu

Hatae 24, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-1924

This is a spot where you can stroll through nature that has been maintained with minimal care. You can enjoy a quiet and enriching time, as if you are interfering with the natural ecosystem.

[Sightseeing] Yamabiko Street is perfect for an active stroll.

Along the forest road stretching from Deyuguchi to Murasugiguchi, there are over 250 stone monuments lined up. These form "Yamabiko-dori," the largest haiku, tanka, and senryu route in Japan.

Agano City has long produced many writers and poets, such as Sato Nenpuku and Ishizuka Yuji. Therefore, in order to provide a venue for haiku and tanka poets from within and outside Niigata Prefecture to publish their work, Yamabiko Street was created, inspired by Matsuo Basho's "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North).

Along this approximately 5-kilometer route, you'll find a collection of poems that you'll want to recite and tanka that will make you chuckle. Whether you're taking a stroll along the route or admiring the majestic stone monuments from your car, try visiting it according to your sightseeing schedule.

Yamabiko Street

Deyu, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-1926

This road of haiku, tanka, and senryu was inspired by Matsuo Basho's "Oku no Hosomichi." Over 250 stone monuments line the forest road that stretches from the hot spring entrance to the Murasugi entrance. It's a spot that will clear your eyes and soul while hiking, strolling, or traveling by car.

[Tourism] "Urara no Mori" offers Niigata souvenirs and a hearty lunch.

If you're looking to buy souvenirs from Agano City or the Gozu Onsen-go, head to Urara no Mori.

Located at the entrance to Murasugi Onsen, Urara no Mori is like a "roadside station" for the Gozu Onsen-go.

We offer a great selection of souvenirs, including locally grown vegetables harvested that morning, sake, and snacks.

Additionally, Urara no Mori has a restaurant called "Yuizakura" attached to it, which is popular for its set meals. Among them, the most popular is the "Triangle Fried Tofu Set Meal," which is very filling. The freshly grilled, large, thick fried tofu is so delicious that you'll want to eat more and more white rice. It's also recommended to eat it with condiments.

They also offer daily specials like fried saury, and their hearty menu items like tempura rice bowls and pork cutlets are very popular. A visit to Urara no Mori, a restaurant beloved by the locals, might just make you love Agano City even more.

Urara no Mori t at the foot of Mt. Gozu

3946-163 Murasugi, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-1928

This is a spot where you can buy souvenirs from Agano City and Niigata, and enjoy a popular local lunch all in one place. It is popular like a roadside station in Goka Onsenkyo, and you can get a wide range of products, from local vegetables to specialty souvenirs.

[Tourism] Hyoko Waterfowl Park: Where you can encounter nature in all four seasons and swans.

A 15-minute drive from the center of Gozu Onsen-go will take you to Hyoko Waterfowl Park, where you can enjoy the beautiful lake and nature throughout the four seasons.

Every year from early October to early March, thousands of swans migrate from Siberia. On busy days, more than 5,000 swans can be seen, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

At the Hyoko Swan Observation Hut located on the lakeshore, you can observe swans from a warmer climate. You can also see swans that have stayed behind instead of returning to Siberia, even outside of their migration season.

When visiting to see the migrating swans, it's convenient to reserve a spot on the free "Hyoko Lake Bus," which operates exclusively for guests staying at inns in the Gozu Onsen-go. The bus departs at 6:30 AM and provides transportation for even just one person. This service is only available for two months, from November to December.

Furthermore, Hyoko Waterfowl Park is a spot where you can observe seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms and irises in spring, and lotus flowers in summer. It is a recommended tourist destination for those who enjoy traveling in nature.

Hyoko Suikin Park

313-1 Suibara, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-2013

This park offers a beautiful lake and seasonal nature, and is known for the thousands of swans that migrate there between early October and early March.

[Hot Spring] Renovated in April 2026: "Kahoji no Yu" - a gentle hot spring you can enjoy every day.

"Kahoji no Yu" is a place where you can enjoy the Izuyu Onsen hot springs on a day trip. It's a rare spot in Japan where a hot spring facility is located on the grounds of a temple.

This wonderful hot spring, with its free-flowing natural spring water, is colorless, odorless, and perfect for a long, relaxing soak. Its greatest appeal, apparently, is that it feels smooth and doesn't even feel like a typical hot spring.

Regulars who have been coming for decades unanimously praise Izuyu Onsen, saying things like, "It's easy to get into because it's not too strong," and "It's a hot spring you can go to every day." It was renovated in April 2026, and a new washing area was added, so even first-time visitors can easily enjoy the hot spring.

You can really feel the benefits of Izuyu Onsen after your bath. Even though the water was lukewarm, you'll find yourself sweating profusely, and you'll feel your metabolism being boosted.

Kahoji no Yu

794, Deyu, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-1926

This is a day-trip facility at Deyu Onsen. It is located within the grounds of a temple, which is rare in Japan.

[Hot Springs] Yakushi-no-Yu Footbath: A relaxing spot bustling with locals.

Just a one-minute walk from Chosei are "Yakushi no Yu" and "Ashiyu," both of which offer baths in the same Murasugi Onsen hot spring. These facilities are a welcome sight for travelers who want to enjoy a day trip to the hot springs without bringing anything with them.

After purchasing a bathing ticket from the vending machine at the front desk and leaving the changing room, you'll be greeted by the hot springs. Wash your body in the shower and slowly get used to the water by starting with a half-body bath.

Murasugi Onsen, with its source water temperature of only 25 degrees Celsius, is heated to an appropriate temperature according to the season. Because the water is kept at a comfortable temperature, you can soak in the hot springs for a long time.

It's perfect not only for sightseeing, but also as a stop after walking or hiking.

Also, behind Yakushi-no-Yu, there's a spot where anyone can enjoy a footbath. This unique footbath offers jet, bubble, and foot massage foot care, and is visited by many people even on weekdays. Put in a 100 yen donation and enjoy a relaxing soak to soothe your tired feet.

Yakushi-no-Yu is open from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Why not visit it as part of your hot spring hopping in the Gozu Onsen-go?

Murasugi Onsen Public Bath Yakushi no Yu

3946-6, Murasugi, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-1928

Yakushi no Yu is a day-trip facility in Murasugi Onsen. It is a popular spot not only for tourists but also for those who come after walking or mountain climbing.

For recommended accommodations in the Gozu Onsen-go , please also check out this article.

access

The most convenient way to get to Gozu Onsen-go from Tokyo is by Shinkansen (bullet train) and rental car. Take the JR Joetsu from Tokyo Station (approximately 2 hours), and then rent a car from Niigata Station.

It takes about an hour by car from Niigata Station to Gozu Onsen-go. If you travel by car, you can easily enjoy visiting the hot springs of the three hot spring areas: Ideyu, Imata, and Murasugi.

For those who want to enjoy the scenery along the way, traveling by local bus or train is also recommended. From Niigata Station, take a bus or train to JR Suibara Station, and then take the Agano City Bus from in front of Suibara Station for 30 minutes to reach Gozu Onsen-go.

Enjoy exploring the hot springs of Gozu Onsen-go at your own pace, according to your schedule, the season, and your travel style.