What is the water temperature at Tazawa Onsen?

The source temperature of Tazawa Onsen is 38°C, which is lower than typical hot springs. This makes it ideal for all age groups, including infants and those who prefer longer soaks. The warm water is particularly suited for bathing enthusiasts who appreciate lower-temperature hot springs, often referred to as "nuruyu."

What type of hot spring water is Tazawa Onsen?

Tazawa Onsen is an alkaline simple sulfur spring. The water is clear and colorless with a faint scent of sulfur. The spring is designated as a therapeutic hot spring and meets strict national criteria for both water quality and volume, with an estimated flow rate of 0.5 liters per minute or more per hot spring user.

How many accommodations are available at Tazawa Onsen?

There are four ryokans in Tazawa Onsen: Masuya Ryokan, Fujiya, Izumiya Ryokan, and Yamashiroya Resort. Each offers different price points and amenities, allowing visitors to choose according to their preferences and budgets. Masuya Ryokan is particularly notable as a nationally registered tangible cultural property.

What is the public bath fee and when is it open?

The public bath, called Uchiyu, costs 200 yen for adults and opens from 6:00 a.m. This early opening time allows guests to experience a traditional morning bathing ritual, a common practice in Japanese hot spring culture.

How far is Tazawa Onsen from Tokyo?

Tazawa Onsen is accessible from Tokyo via the JR Shinkansen Hakutaka line to Ueda Station (approximately 1.5 hours), followed by a 30-minute bus ride on the Chikuma Bus Company's Aoki Line to Aoki Bus Terminal. From the bus terminal, it is approximately 10 minutes by taxi or 50-60 minutes on foot to reach the hot spring town.

Tazawa Onsen

4.4 (82)Tourist AttractionPublic BathPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Tazawa Onsen is a hot spring located in Aoki Village, Chiisagata District, Nagano Prefecture. The spring quality is an alkaline simple sulfur spring with clear, colorless water and a faint scent of sulfur. Both Tazawa Onsen and Kutsukake Onsen in Aoki Village are designated as national hot spring resorts, recognized by the Minister of the Environment as healthy resort areas meeting stringent criteria for hot spring quality, therapeutic benefits, and comprehensive visitor facilities.

Tazawa Onsen exemplifies traditional Japanese hot spring culture in a rural mountain setting. The hot spring town is surrounded by the Aoki Sanzan mountains—Komayumidake, Jukanzan, and Okamidake—creating a distinctive rural mountain village landscape. The resort comprises four traditional inns operating within the village, including Masuya Ryokan, which is designated as a national registered tangible cultural property. This intimate scale preserves the authentic character of a historic onsen community.

Visitors to Tazawa Onsen experience traditional ryokan hospitality combined with thermal water bathing. The spring features a public bath called Uchiyu, featuring traditional architectural elements such as karahafu roofs. Tazawa Onsen features thermal water with a source temperature of 38°C, making it suitable for all ages including infants, and appealing to those who prefer lower-temperature bathing. Accommodations typically include private onsen baths, traditional Japanese rooms with tatami mats and futons, and kaiseki breakfast service.

Tazawa Onsen is accessible by public transportation from Tokyo. From Tokyo Station, take the JR Shinkansen Hakutaka line (approximately 1.5 hours) to Ueda Station. From Ueda Station, take the Chikuma Bus Company's Aoki Line route bus (approximately 30 minutes) to Aoki Bus Terminal. From Aoki Bus Terminal, the hot spring town is approximately 10 minutes by taxi or 50-60 minutes on foot. There is no entrance fee to the area; accommodation and onsen facilities operate on a per-use or overnight stay basis. Four ryokans operate within Tazawa Onsen: Masuya Ryokan, Fujiya, Izumiya Ryokan, and Yamashiroya Resort.

What other travelers are saying about Tazawa Onsen

A small onsen in a secluded area on Aokimurra village near Ueda shi. One can enter onsen with a very minimal fee of ¥200. Be aware there are no shampoo or soap provided inside the bath and one has to bring their own. When I visited there was guy with large body tattoo, so apparent it is tattoo friendly. There is small car parking in front of entrance but reserved for people with disabilities. There is a bigger car parking for 7-8 cars on a upper level just behind it connected with a stairway that connects to side of Tazawa onsen.

Naresh Deora

Mar 12, 2023

2025.7.21 Outside temperature 36 degrees @300/person There are a lot of parking lots like terraced fields The hot spring here is also amazing! ・Colorless and transparent ・Slight sulfur smell ・Slippery ・Freshly flowing spring water ・Strong water pressure in the shower ・Water in the faucet is also slippery ・You can stay in for hours ・Bring your own hot spring set is a must The temperature of the bath is around 38 degrees!

I'd previously seen this hot spring listed as a must-visit in Nagano Prefecture, but this was my first time visiting. It's a refreshing simple sulfur spring. The showers and faucets also have the strongest sulfur smell of all the hot springs. Enter → Place your shoes in the shoe lockers on the left or right → Purchase a ticket from the ticket machine to the right of the reception → Proceed to reception. If you have valuables, place them in the locker in front of the changing room before entering. The lockers are 100 yen returnable. There are only baskets on the shelves in the changing room! There are also no hair dryers, no body soap, and of course no sauna! There are only about five washing areas, so if you arrive at the wrong time you'll have to wait for one to become available, and the changing room can get crowded. There is only one indoor bath, so if you want to relax, it's best to have around six people. Don't forget to take your locker key with you before entering the bathroom! The spring water is of good quality, and it feels like it's about 39-40 degrees Celsius. The few dozen meters to the building and the area turning into the parking lot are narrow, so beginners and those driving larger vehicles should be especially careful. If you have an extremely low car, be prepared to scrape your aero kit. My 50 Prius with lowering springs and full factory aero kit was able to get in and out without any problems. The towels for sale are personalized! I'm envious of the locals who can bathe every day for just 300 yen (lol). I'd love to stop by again if I have the chance!

30 minutes by bus from Ueda Station, Nagano to Aoki Village, then 30 minutes on foot from Aoki Bus Terminal. Here in the mountains of Nagano, there is Japan's top-class hot spring, the public bath "Arichiyu". I have been to many hot springs in Japan for many years, and this one has the best quality and the best amount of water. It is worth coming all the way from afar. The water is characterized by a temperature of around 40 degrees. Arichiyu is the source of Tazawa Onsen. There is also a foot bath. The water that gushes out of the spout clings to the skin like a thin, soft gel, and it feels strange, like wearing a feather robe on your skin. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a miraculous hot spring. *To get there, take the Chikuma Bus from Ueda Station Bus Exit 1 for about 30 minutes, but the route runs once an hour during the day. Get off at the last stop, Aoki Bus Terminal. 30 minutes on foot from Aoki Bus Terminal. Or take a taxi. There is only one Aoki Village bus bound for Tazawa Onsen at 3pm, so public transport is quite inconvenient. You can stay at a hot spring inn in Tazawa Onsen and use the shuttle service, or use a car or rental car. There is also free parking available, which is used by locals. In winter, to liven up the hot spring town, there are several houses, and events start along the Yukawa River with lovely bamboo lantern designs. It is also quite charming to stroll from each inn to Arichyuyu, and you can enjoy nature in the wild bird forest. I want to support this lovely mountain village hot spring resort. I definitely recommend taking a leisurely bath along with your stay. Nice (^^)

I arrived around 4pm on a weekday. The parking lot could accommodate about six cars. The exterior of the building had a nice, shrine-like feel. There was a ticket machine right in front of me as I entered the entrance. I bought a ¥500 adult ticket and handed it over to the receptionist next door. There was a sink in the changing room, but no hair dryer. Contrary to the exterior, the bathing area had a single tiled bathtub with two other guests. There was no shampoo or body soap in the washing area. I headed to the bathtub. It looked clear and had a slight sulfur smell. It was lukewarm to me, maybe around 36 degrees. I think? If you like long baths, this is definitely worth it.