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The best places in Gunma for winter relaxation; admire snowy scenery while soaking in an outdoor bath
Gunma Prefecture
Open-air baths where you can admire the snow while bathing are known as ‘yukimiburo.’ Many of these winter wonders can be found in Gunma Prefecture, only an hour away by Shinkansen bullet train from the crowds of Tokyo. Here are some great spots where you can bathe while viewing the snow.
Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku rocketed to fame when it was chosen as number one among the top ten hot springs in Japan by a well-known travel guidebook in 2010. The steam from the open-air bath hanging in the air and the Takaragawa River running alongside it create a mystical atmosphere that you can enjoy while bathing.
Minakamikogen Hotel 200 features an open-air bath where you can enjoy the surrounding scenery of massive mountains.
Manza Prince Hotel is known for its milky-white waters. At night, you can enjoy viewing a sky full of stars from this open-air bath found amidst the beauty of nature at 1,800 meters in elevation.
Soaking in an open-air hot spring and being warmed to your core while surrounded by snow is an experience you don’t want to miss.
How to get there
To Takaragawa Onsen:
From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Jomo-Kogen Station (about 1 hour). From Jomo-Kogen Station, take the free shuttle bus.
To Minamikogen Hotel 100:
From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Jomo-Kogen Station (about 1 hour). From Jomo-Kogen Station, take the free shuttle bus (about 1 hour).
To Manza Prince Hotel:
From Tokyo Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Karuizawa Station (about 1 hour 10 minutes). From Karuizawa Station, take the free shuttle bus (about 1 hour 30 minutes).
Takaragawa Onsen
1899 Fujiwara, Minakami-machi, Tone-gun, Gunma-ken
Minamikogen Hotel 200
6152-1 Fujiwara, Minakami-machi, Tone-gun, Gunma-ken
Manza Prince Hotel
Manza-onsen, Tsumagoi-mura, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma-ken
