Manza Onsen In Gunma - Relaxing Hot Springs And A Great View

Guide to Manza Onsen - Hot Springs in the Mountain

Picture courtesy of Tsumagoi Village Office

Manza Onsen is in Gunma Prefecture. This unique hot spring resort is 1,800 meters above sea level and is known as the hot spring closest to the sky.

The hot spring town is enjoyable year-round. In the summer, you can cool down with the brisk temperatures in the high mountains, in the autumn, the leaves turn red, and in the winter, you can see the scenery around you covered in snow.

The hot spring itself is marvelous; you will be able to bathe in the waters that have the richest content of sulfur in Japan. The springs date back to the prehistoric times from artifacts found nearby and people have been bathing here for ages. At the end of the Edo period, hot spring inns were made, but the area itself developed more in the twentieth century - around 1955. Around that time, public transportation by bus was also made and still runs today.

Access to Manza Onsen from Tokyo

Picture courtesy of Tsumagoi Village Office
It takes up to four hours to get to Manza Onsen from Tokyo.

If you are going to Manza Onsen from Tokyo, there is the direct Manza - Kazawaguchi route from Ueno or a stop-over route at Karuizawa from Tokyo Station. If you are coming from Osaka, it is recommended to stop by Tokyo to go to Manza Onsen.

1. Ueno to Manza-Kazawaguchi Route

Get on the Joetsu Agatsuma line's Limited Express Kusatsu-go from Ueno Station and get off at Manza-Kazawaguchi Station. Including the transfer, it should take approximately two hours 40 minutes and cost 5080 yen with unreserved seats. From Manza-Kazawaguchi Station, take the local bus for 45 minutes until you arrive.

2. Tokyo to Karuizawa to Manza Kazawaguchi Route

From Tokyo Station, get on the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Nagano and get off at Karuizawa Station. It takes around an hour and ten minutes and costs 5390 yen. From Karuizawa Station, get on the local bus for an hour 40 minutes until you arrive.

Depending on the hotel you plan on visiting, there are free shuttles provided to and from the station. Check to see if you have free shuttles available by contacting your hotel.

Hot Springs at Manza Onsen

At Manza Onsen, all can enjoy bathing at hotels and inns (even if you aren't a guest). Therefore, you will be able to enjoy multiple baths aside from the hotel you are staying at. If you purchase the Yumeguri Tegata (Japanese) pass for 700 yen, you can enter each facility for only 500 yen.

Manza Hotel Juraku

The spring called Hosho no Yu in Oku Manza is owned by the Juraku hotel and is drawn to the hotel located 800 meters away. The refreshing open-air bath has great views of the steam rising from the earth.

Address: Gunma, Agatsuma, Tsumagoi, Hoshimata, Manza Onsen 2401
Website: Manza Hotel Juraku

Manzatei

With an open-air bath made of logs, you can see the great view of Asahiyama mountains. Indoors is a bath made of cypress wood. In addition to that, there are two other private baths you can use for an additional fare and reservations.

Address: Gunma, Agatsuma, Tsumagoi, Manza Onsen
Website: Manzatei (Japanese)

Hokokukan

This historic inn has been in operation since 1927. It is popular for its large mixed gender open-air bath (enter with a towel or bathing wear). There are also open-air baths for women and indoor baths that are separated by sex. The waters are drawn from the source with a white milky color.

Address: Gunma, Agatsuma, Tsumagoi, Hoshimata, Manza Onsen 2401
Website: Hokokukan (Japanese)

Yu no Hana Ryokan

In this inn, visitors can soak in Japan's only sarunokoshikake fungi bath, said to assist your immune system. At the Tsukimi rock's open-air bath, you will be able to see the panoramic scenery of the Motoshirane mountains.

Address: Gunma, Agatsuma, Tsumagoi, Manza Onsen
Website: Yu no Hana Ryokan (Japanese)

Recommended Inns in Manza Onsen

Picture courtesy of Manza Onsen Nisshinkan

Manza Onsen Nisshinkan

This is a historical inn that was the first to open in Manza. There are nine types of natural hot springs (both open-air and indoor) and many stay here long term for toji purposes. There are direct buses from Tokyo (Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building) and accommodation plans for Nisshinkan as well.

Address: Gunma, Agatsuma, Tsumagoi, Hoshimata, Manza Onsen 2401
Website: Manza Onsen Nisshinkan

Manza Prince Hotel

With 232 rooms, this is the largest accommodation facility with an open-air bath with grand scenery around it. Depending on the selected plan, customers may also use the free shuttle to Karuizawa.

Address: Gunma, Agatsuma, Tsumagoi, Manza Onsen
Website: Manza Prince Hotel

Manza Kogen Hotel

This hotel is known for its rock garden open-air bath. Facing the mountain stream, there are eight baths next to each other. There are four sources of hot springs here, each with different colors (white, clear, and the only yellow hot springs in Manza onsen). Customers staying at the hotel are welcome to use the free shuttle from Karuizawa with prior reservations.
Address: Gunma, Agatsuma, Tsumagoi, Manza Onsen
Website: Manza Kogen Hotel

Highlights of Manza Onsen

Picture courtesy of Tsumagoi Village Office

The Manza Karabuki is one of the most popular tourist spots! The rain and snow that seeped into an old volcanic crater evaporates and gushes out as white steam along with volcanic gas. You can see this phenomenon right by the Manza bus terminal.

A historical ruin representing Manza Onsen is the Kumashiro Cave. From within this cave pottery from prehistoric Japan was discovered. During the summer, it is also a popular trekking spot in the refreshing air. It is also a great spot to see unique Japanese mountain flora, such as the dicentra peregrinas, in bloom.

There are many hiking courses (Japanese) according to season and time, so it is a good idea to check them out before visiting. Manza Onsen is also a popular ski spot, however, the temperatures drop to -10 degrees Celsius, so it is best to be properly prepared. For those who wish to know the conditions of the snow and the local weather, it may be best to ask the Manza Onsen Tourist Association (Japanese).

Effects and Traits of Manza Onsen

Picture courtesy of Manza Onsen Nisshinkan

Manza Onsen is known for having the richest sulfur spring in Japan! The hot spring is around 80 degrees Celsius and is called the healing fountain. The waters of this spring are said to widen blood veins and improve your blood flow.

The main trait of this hot spring is the amount of water that springs out. 5,400,000 liters of hot spring gushes out of here every day.

The white clouded waters are also said to help clear the skin. Manza Onsen is also known as a place where people stay for long terms in order to heal themselves in the hot springs.

Visit Manza Onsen

Manza Onsen is a wonderful spot high up in the mountains with vast views of nature that can be enjoyed while soaking in an open-air bath. For details on how to bathe in a hot spring, please read What You Should Know About Bath Culture In Japan.

Manza Onsen Information Center

2401 Hoshimata, Tsumagoi-mura, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma 377-1528