Where is Kaede no Yu located and how convenient is it for travelers?

Kaede no Yu is located inside Yudanaka Station and is built on the train platform. This makes it extremely convenient for day-trippers and travelers who want to enjoy a hot spring soak while waiting for their train back to Nagano Station. It's one of the nearest public hot springs to the Jigokudani Monkey Park, making it perfect for visitors who want to relax after seeing the famous snow monkeys.

What are the operating hours and admission prices?

Kaede no Yu is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00. The admission fees are very affordable: 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for elementary school students. This makes it one of the most budget-friendly hot spring experiences in the area.

What facilities and bathing options are available?

The hot springs are segregated into men's and women's sections, both of which have indoor and outdoor baths. There are indoor and open-air rotemburo (outdoor baths), allowing visitors to enjoy the natural hot spring water in different settings. However, there aren't many washing places, so depending on the time of day, there might be competition for washing stations.

Who typically uses this onsen facility?

Kaede no Yu is popular with both local residents and visitors who are waiting for their train. It serves as a convenient day-trip bathing facility for tourists exploring the Yudanaka Onsen area, as well as a regular bathing spot for locals. The facility caters especially well to travelers visiting the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park.

What makes Kaede no Yu special compared to other onsen?

The unique feature of Kaede no Yu is its location - it's a pure Japanese style building built right on the train platform, making it possibly one of the few onsen facilities integrated directly into a train station. It offers natural hot spring water in easy reach of the station at a pleasingly low cost. Additionally, there's also a free footbath in front of the station for those who want a quick hot spring experience without the full bathing fee.

Nagano

Yudanaka Ekimae Onsen Kaede no Yu, Yamanouchi

4.1 (907)Tourist AttractionSpaPublic BathPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Sep 21, 2026

Yudanaka Ekimae Onsen Kaede no Yu stands as a unique hot spring facility built directly within Yudanaka Station in Nagano Prefecture, making it one of Japan's few onsen integrated into a railway platform. This traditional Japanese-style bathhouse serves the historic Yudanaka Onsen district, which has been welcoming visitors to its therapeutic hot springs for centuries. The area gained particular prominence as a gateway to the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques bathe in natural hot springs during winter months.

The onsen represents the practical bathing culture of Japan, where hot springs serve both local communities and travelers. Kaede no Yu maintains the authentic sento (public bathhouse) experience while accommodating modern transportation needs. The facility draws from the same natural hot spring sources that have made the Yudanaka Onsen area renowned for its therapeutic mineral-rich waters, believed to benefit skin conditions and promote relaxation.

Visitors experience both indoor and outdoor rotemburo baths separated by gender, allowing them to soak in natural hot spring water while potentially waiting for train connections. The outdoor baths provide a traditional Japanese bathing experience where guests can observe changing seasons and mountain scenery. The facility caters to day-trippers visiting the nearby monkey park, local residents, and travelers exploring the broader Shiga Kogen region.

Kaede no Yu is accessible directly from Yudanaka Station, the terminus of the Nagano Electric Railway line from Nagano City. The train journey from Nagano Station takes approximately 45 minutes and costs around ¥1,170 for a one-way ticket. Visitors arriving by car can utilize station parking facilities. Admission to the hot spring costs ¥300 for adults and ¥150 for elementary school children, making it one of the most affordable authentic onsen experiences in the region. A complimentary footbath is available outside the station for those seeking a brief hot spring encounter without full facility access.

Hours

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Phone

+81 269-33-2133

Website

www.info-yamanouchi.net

Overview

Address

Japan, 〒381-0401 Nagano, Shimotakai District, Yamanouchi, Hirao, ３２２７−１下高井郡山ノ内町平穏３２２７−１

Hours

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Phone

+81 269-33-2133

Website

www.info-yamanouchi.net

Traveler reviews

Reasonably priced, has an indoor and outdoor onsen (at least for men). Just remember to get your ticket at the machine before taking your shoes off! Has small and large towels for sale so worth a visit.

Josh Colby

Nov 26, 2025

Yudanaka hot springs is located by station with many available parking for cars. ¥500 each person and hot springs is perfectly for quick bath. Enjoy this hot springs same as many offers from Shibu onsens

Y. Aji Yamada

Jun 9, 2025

The indoor pool is super hot! The outdoor pool is nice. Biggest downside is there is no cold pool. There's a lot of locals who come here.

Phos

Apr 13, 2026

It's only 300 yen and so convenient. One pool inside and one outside. Good too relive aches

Shirley Odelia

Mar 12, 2023

Since this hot spring was located near the railway station, it was very convenient for visitors to enjoy. Although I had chosen an onsen hotel in this area, I still went to this hot spring twice because nobody took bath in the hotel onsen at that time. Many local residents and visitors went there as you might noted from the number of the shoes placed around the entrance in front of the uplifted floor. Only 300 yen was charged for basic bathing because I took my own towels with me. The bathing area was clean with an indoor rectangular pool and an outdoor Japanese style decorated pool with one strong waterfall-like shower. The staff could speak a little bit English and alerted me about their closing time at 9 pm since I arrived 8:30 pm on the first day. The sitting area was neat but I was in a rush. Local people in the changing room were also nice to visitors. This onsen should be one of the attractions for budget tourist. The foot pool outside this hot spring was also free.