Takaragawa Onsen locates in Gunma prefecture, which is well known as of the nation’s biggest onsen, or hot spring prefectures. Although it is lesser known compared to onsen such as Kusatsu or Ikaho, it is slowly gaining attention for its rejuvenating waters and amazing views.
The baths at Takaragawa Onsen have even been featured in famous guidebooks as one of the top ten hot springs in Japan. The hot springs aren’t too far from Tokyo, and make a great day-trip destination.
About Takaragawa Onsen
Takaragawa Onsen is surrounded by lush nature, and is a part of the Mizukami Onsen Resort in Gunma prefecture’s Tone district.
The waters of the baths are all directly from the springs. Every minute, the springs spout out about 1,800 liters of water.
Takaragawa Onsen began gaining attention after receiving the title of “Best Riverside Onsen” on Lonely Planet’s “Top 10 hot springs in Japan” list.
The baths were also used as a filming location for the hit film, “Thermae Romae II”. Through the growing media coverage, Takaragawa Onsen has gained further recognition in recent years.
Takaragawa Onsen’s soaring popularity
One of the main factors of Takaragawa Onsen’s skyrocketing popularity can be attributed to its huge rotemburo, or outdoor baths, that are surrounded in nature.
There are four rotemburo at Takaragawa Onsen. Three are co-ed, and one is women only. They are some of the largest outdoor baths in japan.
Altogether, the baths measure around 900 meters squared, making it one of the biggest in Japan. Its spaciousness and breathtaking views of nature make it a popular hot springs destination.
Osenkaku and Takaragawa Sanso
The two facilities you can use to bathe in the Takaragawa Onsen waters are Osenkaku and Takaragawa Sanso.
Osenkaku is for guests who are staying, and Takaragawa Sanso is for day-trip visitors.
Yukata at Osenkaku (photo credit: 宝川温泉・汪尖閣)
At Osenkaku, you get to choose from a variety of yukata to wear during your stay.
The 4 rotemburo
The four rotemburo (outdoor baths) measure about 900 meters squared combined. The baths are located right by the Takaragawa River.
When switching between baths, you don’t necessarily have to change in and out of your clothes. You can just keep yourself covered with a towel as you navigate between baths.
Maka Bath
Maka Bath (photo credit:宝川温泉・汪尖閣)
The Maka Bath is the most popular bath out of the four rotemburo. The bath measures about 220 meters squared.
The bath was completed in 1940, and served as a model for upcoming rotemburo baths.
Autumn and winter are exceptionally beautiful at the Maka bath. In the autumn, maples surround the bath, and in the winter, the area is covered in snow.
Kodakara Bath
Kodakara Bath on the left, Hannya Bath on the right (photo credit: 宝川温泉・汪尖閣)
Kodakara Bath is the largest out of the four, and measures about 365 meters squared. The bath has a capacity of about 200 people.
The name of the bath means to cherish and treasure (dakara 宝) children (ko 子).
The bath lies right next to Takaragawa River. You can hear the flow of the river as you bathe.
Hannya Bath
Hannya Bath on the right, Kodakara Bath on the left (photo credit: 宝川温泉・汪尖閣)
The Hannya Bath is a bit more modest-sized compared to the other three rotemburo. It is about half the size of the Maka Bath.
The waters of this bath are shallow, so this is a good choice if you are bathing with children.
Maya Bath
Maya Bath (photo credit: 宝川温泉・汪尖閣)
The Maya Bath is the one women-only bath out of the rotemburo. It locates at the lower part of Takaragawa River, and is not surrounded by any fences but only by nature.
Bathing in a co-ed bath
If co-ed baths sound kind of intimidating, don’t worry. Even most Japanese people haven’t been in a co-ed bath. Takaragawa Onsen provides women’s bathing clothes (for overnight guests) and towels (for day-trip guests) for those who want to cover up.
Try bear soup at Osenkaku!
Course dinner at Osenkaku (photo credit: 宝川温泉・汪尖閣)
After enjoying your bath, dig in the delicious course dinner at Osenkaku. For dinner, you can either enjoy a buffet at the hotel restaurant, or try the course menu at Chikutei, where there are private rooms prepared.
Bear soup (photo credit: 宝川温泉・汪尖閣)
The course menu uses local ingredients to create its dishes. One famous dish in the course menu is the bear soup.
Bear meat is only eaten in very few areas of Japan, and the Takagarawa Onsen area is one of them.
The soup uses real bear meat. Bear meat is high in nutritional value, and is said to be good for the skin. Don’t miss the opportunity to try out this rare soup!
Nearest station: Takaragawa Onsen (bus stop)
From Tokyo Station
【Tokyo Sta.】Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen / for Takasaki
→【Takasaki Sta.】JR Joetsu Line / for Mizukami
→【Mizukami Sta.】Kanetsu Kotsu Bus / for Yunokoya
→【Takaragawa Onsen Bus Stop】
From Maebashi Station
【Maebashi Sta.】JR Ryomo Line / for Takasaki
→【Shin-Maebashi Sta.】JR Joetsu Line / for Mizukami
→【Mizukami Sta.】Kanetsu Kotsu Bus / for Yunokoya
→【Takaragawa Onsen Bus Stop】
Enjoy rotemburo at night!
Guests who are staying overnight at Osenkaku are allowed to use the rotemburo at any time of the day. At night, the rotemburo get lit up and give off a different feeling than during the day.
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