Tazawa Onsen

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.