Discover Gozu Onsen-go: Niigata's Secret Hot Spring Getaway. Top Ryokans & Day Trips!

• Table of Contents
• Gozu Onsen-go: The Legendary Hot Springs of Kobo Daishi
• Top 3 Ryokans for Your Perfect Stay in Gozu Onsen-go
• 2 Must-Visit Day Trip Spots in Gozu Onsen-go
• How to Get There: Access Guide

Gozu Onsen-go: The Legendary Hot Springs of Kobo Daishi

Gozu Onsen-go was designated as the 93rd national hot spring resort in Japan in 2016. Located in the Kaetsu region of Niigata Prefecture, the hot spring resort can be accessed from Tokyo in about three and a half hours by Shinkansen and rental car.

Gozu Onsen has a long history, and is said to have been discovered by Kobo Daishi over 1,200 years ago, and is still passed down as a legend today.

The charm of Gozu Onsen-go is that you can enjoy radium hot springs, which are rare even in Japan. Radium hot springs are hot springs that contain a certain amount of a component called radon in their water.

Radon emits small amounts of radiation, which is said to have various benefits for neuralgia, gout, and gynecological diseases.

Another great thing about Gozu Onsen is that you can not only soak in the hot springs, but also inhale and drink them. The area has a history of being a popular hot spring resort, so it's a good idea to Tomari for several nights and fully enjoy the benefits of the radium hot springs.

If you are staying for multiple Tomari, be sure to check out the three hot spring areas of Gozu Onsen-go. The collective name for the three hot spring areas of Deyu, Imaita, and Murasugi is "Gozu Onsen-go."

All hot spring resorts are within a 3km radius, so it's easy to move around freely by rental car, which is another attractive feature.

Top 3 Ryokans for Your Perfect Stay in Gozu Onsen-go

If you want to enjoy Gozu Onsen at your own pace, we recommend staying overnight. This time, we will introduce some charming accommodations in the three hot spring areas where you can enjoy bathing: Deyu, Imaita, and Murasugi Onsen.

[Deyu Onsen] Seikokan: A Charter Member of Japan's "Secret Hot Spring" Association

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

When you step inside the inn, you'll be greeted by the gentle scent of trees. The lobby, with natural light streaming in through the large windows, is enveloped in the warmth and calm that only a wooden building can provide.

Seikokan's hot spring is Deyu Onsen, the oldest in the prefecture, having been in operation for 1,200 years. As you bathe, you'll be lured in by the steam and feel the smooth texture of the hot spring water as you surrender yourself to the luxury of it.

The luxurious hot spring water, which is 100% free-flowing from the source, has a mild, mild quality and is said to be effective for neuralgia, fatigue recovery, high blood pressure, and chronic gynecological diseases.

One of the attractions of this hot spring is that it is exclusively for guests staying at the hotel, so you can relax without the crowds. It is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy a quiet moment.

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] Choseikan: Unwind in the Grand Outdoor Bath (Rotenburo) All Year Round

Choseikan is an inn that boasts the largest garden open-air bath in Niigata Prefecture. With a combined area of ​​3300m² for both men and women, the indoor bath is connected to the open-air bath by a long tunnel.

The glass-walled indoor bath has an open feel, and you'll be enveloped in rising steam even before you enter, creating a special space where you can "inhale" the radium hot spring water. Boasting one of the highest radium contents in the country, you can absorb its beneficial effects from deep within your body.

After warming up in the indoor bath, it's time to head to the large open-air garden bath. Once you pass through the tunnel, you'll find the spectacular large open-air garden bath.

Cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy scenery in winter. Hot springs, surrounded by nature, allow you to experience Japan's four seasons and are a relaxing space that stimulates all five senses.

The hot springs are open to both overnight guests and day visitors. One of the attractions is the wide variety of ways to enjoy them, such as alternating hot and cold baths and enjoying the tent sauna.

The inn also has a "healthy radium hot spring drinking fountain" where you can "drink" radium hot spring water.

All guest rooms offer a view of Choseikan's garden, perfect for relieving the fatigue of travel.

Whether you're staying for the day or overnight, this is recommended for those who want to enjoy Murasugi Onsen at their own pace.

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] Yumotokan: Forest Bathing & Open-Air Onsen Bliss Combined

Yumotokan, located between Deyu Onsen and Murasugi Onsen, is the only inn in Imaita Onsen.

Imaita Onsen is said to be effective for treating 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 Imaita Onsen as many times as you like after checking in. Of course, day-trip bathing is also available, and is divided into two sessions: from 10:30 to 15:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00.

When you go to the changing room to take a bath, you will see a poster that says, "How to bathe properly at Imaita Onsen." It says that bathing in the following order will enhance the effects: pouring water over your body, then bathing half your body, then bathing your whole body.

Immediately pour the hot spring water over yourself, letting your body get used to the hot water, and then start half-body bath. When you entered the hot spring, the warm water gently envelope your body.

All of the hot springs in Gozu Onsen, including Imaita Onsen, are colorless, transparent, and odorless, so they have no unpleasant taste and are very easy to bathe in.

Among them, Imaita Onsen is known as a "bath for fertility" and a "bath for easy childbirth," and is visited by many pregnant women.

The smooth texture and comfortable temperature of the water make it easy to end up taking a long bath. It's recommended to gradually soak in the water, switching to a half-body bath when your forehead or nose start to sweat, or taking a break after washing your body.

After bathing, instead of taking a shower, wipe off the water with a towel soaked in hot spring water to prolong the medicinal effects.

Additionally, the meals at Yumoto, which are made with love, are extremely popular.

The table will be decorated with boiled tofu from the popular local tofu shop Kawakami Tofu, salad, black sesame tofu kneaded for two hours, and a variety of Yumoto's specialty carp dishes.

The carp dishes for dinner include sashimi "arai," "sweetened carp," and "carp soup" simmered in miso, all of which are mild and flavorful. It is said to have various effects, such as helping to find love, improving breast milk production after childbirth, and stimulating brain function.

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

Yumotokan also offers a shuttle service from Niigata Station, so even those who aren't good at driving can rest assured. Why not experience a special moment at Yumotokan, where you'll be treated to warm hospitality with hot springs and gourmet food?

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.

2 Must-Visit Day Trip Spots in Gozu Onsen-go

If you want to drop in and enjoy Gozu Onsen, a day trip is perfect. Even if you only have a short time, you can still fully enjoy the benefits of the hot springs.

Kaho-ji Kyodo Yokujo: A Unique Bathhouse within Temple Grounds

Kahoji Public Bath is a rare day-trip hot spring facility located on the grounds of a temple, even in Japan. It is a popular hot spring that is constantly bustling with people from early morning until late at night.

Many people have been coming here for decades, and regulars say, "It has no strong flavor, so I can go there every day."

It has no smell or color, but it also has a sweat-inducing effect, and because it's lukewarm, you can soak in it for a long time, which is why it's so popular with hot spring enthusiasts.

The luxurious hot spring water is just the right temperature for a relaxing soak. You can also inhale radium from the steam, so you'll find your body and mind relaxed before you know it.

Enjoy a bathing experience that can only be found here while chatting with the regulars.

Kehoji common bath

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" - Soak in Healing Steam and Good Fortune

Yakushi no Yu is a day-trip bathing facility where you can enjoy Murasugi Onsen. It is a luxurious hot spring that boasts a flow rate of 483 liters per minute.

It is located just a minute's walk from Choseikan and has long opening hours, from 7am until 8:30pm.

Once you pass through the stylish wooden changing room, you'll be greeted by warm steam and crystal clear hot spring water. There are also plenty of washing areas, so it's a great place to stop by after hiking or mountain climbing.

There are many ways to spend your time here, such as relieving fatigue from travel or activities, or enjoying interactions with the locals. Once you've thoroughly warmed up, try moving on to the foot bath.

The foot bath behind Yakushi no Yu is a spot where anyone can enjoy a foot bath for a donation of 100 yen. It is a premium foot bath that offers foot care with jets, bubbles, and foot massage.

The U-shaped foot bath is a great place to chat and have a great time. Enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime encounter while slowly absorbing the 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.

How to Get There: Access Guide

The most convenient way to get to Gozu Onsen from Tokyo is by Shinkansen 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. By traveling by car, you can easily enjoy touring the three hot springs of Deyu, Imaita, and Murasugi.

For those who want to enjoy the scenery along the way, we also recommend traveling by bus or train. Take a bus or train from Niigata Station to JR Suwon Station, then take the Agano Municipal Bus from in front of Suwon Station for 30 minutes to reach Gozu Onsen-go.

Enjoy a free tour of the hot springs at Gozu Onsen, depending on your schedule, season, and travel style.