Discover a new kind of hot spring experience in Niigata's hidden Gozu Onsen-go. We'll introduce recommended accommodations and day-trip hot springs!

For more information on the cuisine and sightseeing spots in Gozu Onsen-go, please see 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, " a place where legends of Kobo Daishi remain?
• Three recommended hot spring inns in Gozu Onsen-go
• Two hot spring spots in the Gozu Onsen-go that you can enjoy on a day trip
• access

What is "Gozu Onsen-go, " a place where legends of Kobo Daishi remain?

Gozu Onsen-go , designated in 2016 as the 93rd People's Health Resort Spring in Japan, is located in the Shimogoshi region of Niigata Prefecture and is accessible from Tokyo in about 3.5 hours by Shinkansen bullet train and rental car.

The history of Gozu Onsen-go is long, with legends still told today that it was opened by Kobo Daishi over 1200 years ago.

The appeal of Gozu Onsen-go lies in the fact that you can enjoy "radium hot springs," which are rare in Japan. Radium hot springs are hot springs in which a certain amount of radon is present in the hot spring water.

Radon emits small amounts of radiation, which is said to have various beneficial effects on conditions such as neuralgia, gout, and gynecological problems.

Furthermore, one of the great things about Gozu Onsen-go is that you can not only soak in the hot springs, but also inhale and drink them. Because it has a history of flourishing as a therapeutic hot spring resort, it would be a good idea to stay for several nights and fully enjoy the benefits of the radium hot springs.

When staying for multiple nights, you should definitely keep in mind the three hot spring areas of Gozu Onsen-go. Gozu Onsen-go is the collective name for the three hot spring areas of Ideyu, Imata, and Murasugi.

Since all the hot spring resorts are within a 3km radius, the ease of getting around freely by rental car is another attractive feature.

Three recommended hot spring inns in Gozu Onsen-go

If you want to fully enjoy the Gozu Onsen-go, we recommend staying overnight and taking in the baths. This time, we'll introduce some charming accommodations in three hot spring areas where you can enjoy Izuyu, Imata, and Murasugi Onsen.

[Deyu Onsen] Kiyohirokan, a member of the Japan Association for the Preservation of Secret Hot Springs

Seikokan is a charming hot spring inn with a history of over 300 years. The three-story wooden building, constructed in 1928, still retains its original appearance.

Upon entering the inn, you are greeted by the gentle scent of wood. The lobby, bathed in natural light streaming through large windows, is enveloped in the warmth and tranquility unique to a wooden building.

The hot springs at Seikokan are the oldest in the prefecture, with a history of 1200 years since their opening. If you take a bath as if drawn in by the rising steam, you can luxuriously surrender yourself to the smooth, silky feel of the hot spring water.

This luxurious hot spring, with 100% natural spring water flowing directly from the source, has a mild and gentle water quality. It is said to be effective for neuralgia, fatigue recovery, high blood pressure, and chronic gynecological diseases.

One of its attractions is that, as it's a hot spring exclusively for hotel guests, you can relax and soak without the crowds. It's the perfect place for those who want to enjoy a peaceful moment.

Check the official website.

Seikokan

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

This is a ryokan in Deyu Onsen that is only available to guests. Built in 1928, this three-story wooden inn offers a relaxing atmosphere.

[Murasugi Onsen] Chosei, a hotel with a large open-air bath that changes with the seasons.

Chosei is a hotel that boasts one of the largest open-air garden baths in Niigata Prefecture. The combined area for men and women spans 1,000 tsubo (approximately 3,300 square meters), and a long tunnel connects the indoor bath to the open-air bath.

The glass-enclosed indoor bath offers a sense of openness, and even before you enter, you're enveloped in rising steam, creating a special space where you can "inhale" the radium hot spring water. Boasting one of the highest radium content levels in the country, you can fully absorb its benefits from within your body.

After warming up in the indoor bath, it's finally time to head to the grand open-air garden bath. Beyond the tunnel, a breathtaking open-air garden bath unfolds before you.

Cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn leaves, and snowy landscapes in winter—these hot springs, surrounded by abundant nature where you can experience Japan's four seasons, offer a tranquil space that stimulates all five senses.

Not only are overnight guests welcome, but day-trippers can also enjoy the baths. The ability to enjoy a variety of activities, such as alternating between hot and cold baths or using the tent sauna, is another attractive feature.

The inn also has a "Healthy Radium Drinking Spring," where you can experience drinking radium hot spring water.

All guest rooms offer views of Chosei's renowned garden, making them the perfect place to unwind after a long day of travel.

Whether you're visiting for the day or staying overnight, this is highly recommended for anyone who wants to fully enjoy Murasugi Onsen.

Check the official website.

Chouseikan, Ryokan of Elegance

4632-8, Murasugi, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-1928

This inn allows you to enjoy the "Large Garden Open-Air Bath," one of the largest in Niigata Prefecture. You can bathe here on a day trip or stay overnight, and enjoy Murasugi Onsen in style.

[Imaita Onsen] "Yumoto" offers both forest bathing and open-air baths at the same time.

Nestled between Yumoto Onsen and Murasugi Onsen, Niigata boasts one of the largest number of guest rooms in the Gozu Onsen-go and is a ryokan full of attractions, including the young proprietress's hobby room "Mogura," a lounge with a panoramic view of the garden, and a gift shop stocked with carefully selected souvenirs from Niigata.

Here, you can enjoy the unique Imata Onsen, which is said to be effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, and arthritis, and you can also enjoy forest bathing in the open-air bath.

The large public bath and open-air bath are open 24 hours a day, so you can enjoy the blessings of Imata Onsen as many times as you like after checking in. Day trips are also available, divided into two sessions: 10:30 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 21:00.

As I went to the changing room to take a bath, I noticed a poster that read, "How to properly bathe at Imata Onsen." It says that the bathing method of pouring hot water over yourself first, then taking a half-body bath, and finally a full-body bath will enhance the effects of the hot spring.

I immediately poured some hot water over myself to get used to the temperature before starting my half-body bath. Once I got into the hot spring, the lukewarm water gently enveloped my body.

All the hot springs in the Gozu Onsen-go, are colorless, transparent, and odorless, making them very easy to bathe in and free from any unpleasant characteristics.

Among them, Imata Onsen is known as the "hot spring for fertility" and the "hot spring for safe childbirth," and many pregnant women visit it.

The smooth texture of the water and the perfect temperature make it very comfortable, and you might find yourself wanting to stay in the bath for a long time. It's recommended to gradually increase the amount of time you soak in the water, such as switching to a half-body bath when your forehead or the tip of your nose starts to sweat, or washing your body and taking a break.

It's said that after bathing, instead of showering, wiping off the water droplets with a towel soaked in the hot spring water helps prolong the medicinal effects. And don't forget to rehydrate and get plenty of rest to finish off the experience.

Furthermore, the meals at Yumoto, prepared with great care and attention, are extremely popular.

The table will be adorned with boiled tofu and salads from the popular local tofu shop "Kawakami Tofu," black sesame tofu that has been kneaded for two hours, and a variety of carp dishes that are a specialty of Yumoto.

The carp dishes for dinner included "arai" (raw carp sashimi), "amani" (sweetly simmered carp), and "koi-koku" (carp stewed in miso), all of which were flavorful and not at all overpowering. It is believed to have various benefits, such as helping to find love, improving postpartum breast milk production, and stimulating brain function.

In the evening, enjoy a relaxing and enriching time with sake carefully selected by the young proprietress.

Furthermore, on the morning of departure, you'll be treated to exquisite dishes that will warm your heart, including salad and simmered tofu from the popular local tofu shop "Kawakami Tofu," grilled trout salmon marinated in Saikyo miso, and miso soup made with homemade koji miso.

Messages from the young innkeeper and his wife are scattered throughout the inn, creating a warm, homey, and friendly atmosphere.

Yumoto offers a shuttle service from Niigata Station, so even those who are not comfortable driving can relax. Why not experience a special moment at Yumoto, where you can enjoy the warm hospitality of hot springs and gourmet cuisine?

The official website is here.

Yumotokan

Now board 795-2, Agano City, Niigata Prefecture, 959-1927

Yumotokan is the only inn where you can enjoy Yumoto Onsen. The indoor and outdoor baths are temperature-adjusted for summer and winter, so you can enjoy a long soak in the hot springs in any season. Also known as "beautiful skin bath" and "child-bearing bath," this hot spring is popular among women.

Two hot spring spots in the Gozu Onsen-go that you can enjoy on a day trip

For those who want to casually drop by and enjoy the Gozu Onsen-go, a day trip to the hot springs is perfect. You can fully experience the blessings of the hot springs even in a short amount of time.

Renovated in April 2026: "Kahoji no Yu"

"Kahoji no Yu" is a rare day-trip hot spring facility located on the grounds of a temple. It is a popular hot spring that sees a constant stream of people coming and going from early morning until late at night. It was renovated in April 2026, and a new washing area was added, making it even more convenient to use.

Many customers have been coming here for decades, and regulars say, "It's not too strong, so I can go every day."

It has no smell and no color. On the other hand, it has a sweating effect, and because the water is lukewarm, you can soak in it for a long time, so it's apparently very popular with hot spring enthusiasts.

The luxurious, free-flowing hot spring water is at the perfect temperature for a relaxing soak. You can also inhale plenty of radium from the steam, and before you know it, your body and mind will be completely relaxed.

Enjoy a unique bathing experience here while chatting with our regulars.

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.

"Yakushi no Yu Footbath" - enveloped in warm steam and comfort.

Yakushi no Yu is a day-trip bathing facility that offers access to Murasugi Onsen. It boasts a luxurious hot spring with a flow rate of 483 liters per minute.

It's just a one-minute walk from Chosei , and its long operating hours, from 7 AM to 8:30 PM, are also a major draw.

After passing through the stylish, wood-style changing room, you'll be greeted by warm steam and crystal-clear hot spring water. With ample washing facilities, it's also a great place to stop by after hiking or mountain climbing.

Whether you want to relax and recover from the fatigue of your travels and activities, or enjoy interacting with the locals, everyone can spend their time however they like. Once you've warmed up thoroughly, try moving on to the footbath.

The footbath located behind Yakushi-no-Yu is a spot where anyone can enjoy a footbath for a donation of 100 yen. It's a premium footbath that offers jet, bubble, and foot massage foot care.

The U-shaped footbath is a delightful place for conversation to flow easily. Enjoy the unique encounters you may have while soaking up the soothing hot spring water through your feet.

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.

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 for about two hours, 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.