Along the 55.3-kilometer long Azuma Line from Shibukawa Station to Omae Station in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture, there are many hot springs, including Kusatsu Onsen, the largest natural hot spring in Japan, where you can enjoy a tour of the hot springs. Here are some of the hot springs along the line.
Ikaho Onsen Ishidan no Yu Ikaho Onsen is the representative hot spring of Gunma Prefecture and has a history of more than 400 years. The 365 stone steps called Ishidanmachi are the symbol of the hot spring resort, and both sides are crowded with inns and souvenir stores. It is said that Ikaho was the first place to start offering tenugui (hand towels) as a service at ryokan (Japanese-style inns). It is said that the golden water containing a lot of iron turned the tenugui brown after repeated bathing, and that taking home a brown tenugui was a kind of status of a visitor to the Ikaho Onsen. Ishidan Machi by day Ishidagai at night There are two sources of hot spring water in Ikaho. Kogane-no-yu】 Spring quality: Sulfate spring Benefits: neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, stiff shoulders, motor paralysis, stiff joints, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive diseases, hemorrhoids, sensitivity to cold, convalescence, fatigue, health promotion, cuts, burns, arteriosclerosis, chronic skin diseases, weak children, high blood pressure [Shirogane-no-yu】 Spring quality: neutral hypotonic cold mineral water Quality: Neutral hypotonic cold mineral spring (falls under the category of "hot spring" as defined in Article 2 of the Onsen Law because the meta-calcic acid content is above the limit of the Onsen Law) Benefits: convalescence, recovery from fatigue, health promotion
How to get to Ikaho Onsen
Approximately 30 minutes by bus from Shibukawa Station on JR Joetsu Line and Agatsuma Line
Shima Onsen is a hot spring town located in the upper reaches of the Shima River and has long been a therapeutic hot spring resort, and was designated as the first national recreational hot spring resort in 1954. Since the Kamakura period (1185-1333), it has healed people to the extent that a legend has arisen that it is a sacred spring that "heals the illnesses of Shima (Yonman). Shima Seiryu no Yu Hot water of Gyumuso appearanceSpring quality: Sulfate spring Benefits: Gastrointestinal disorders, neuralgia, skin diseases, abrasions, cuts, atopic dermatitis
Directions to Shima Onsen
Approximately 40 minutes by bus from Nakanojo Station on the JR Agatsuma Line.
Public bathhouse Sawatari Onsen is a historic hot spring where hot water has been available since the Jomon culture, and it is said that Minamoto no Yoritomo also healed himself of his fatigue. In 1959, it was almost completely destroyed by a large fire, but in 1959, it was revived as "hot water that makes skin beautiful," and its soft texture and smoothness are said to be "the skin of one bathing gem. Spring quality: calcium sodium monosulfate and chloride hot spring Benefits: cuts, burns, neuralgia, rheumatism, motor paralysis, chronic digestive diseases, hemorrhoids, sensitivity to cold, diabetes, women's diseases, convalescence after illness, athlete's foot, etc.
Directions to Sawatari Onsen
Approximately 25 minutes by bus from Nakanojo Station on the JR Azuma Line
Yakushi Hot Spring
Kayabuki-no-Sato Ryoron Onsen Yakushi Onsen is a natural hot spring that has been gushing out naturally for about 200 years, and is said to have been discovered by traveling ascetic Onsenbo Yumei in 1793. The spring is characterized by its gentle quality to the skin. Spring quality: sodium-calcium chloride-sulfate hot spring Benefits: neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, stiff joints, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive disorders, hemorrhoids, sensitivity to cold, convalescence, recovery from illness, fatigue, health promotion, cuts, burns, chronic skin disease, chronic women's diseases, arteriosclerosis, etc.
Directions to Yakushi Onsen
Approximately 40 minutes by bus from Nakanojo Station on the JR Agatsuma Line.
Rokugo Hot Spring Village
What is Rokugo Hot Spring Resort? These hot springs spring along the valleys of the Shirasuna and Nagasasawa Rivers. Each has a long history and tradition.
Ontoku Onsen
Ontoku Onsen Hot spring bathtub Ontoku Onsen is a hot spring located on the grounds of Michi no Eki Rokugo. It is said to have been discovered by a traveler once upon a time, and is a popular hot spring with black flowers floating in the slightly cloudy water, which is soft to the touch and gentle on the skin, making it a beauty's hot spring. Spring quality: Sulfur containing sodium calcium sulfate and chloride spring Benefits: Neuralgia, joint pain, stiff shoulders, chronic digestive problems, oversensitivity to cold, women's diseases, etc.
Hanashiki Onsen
Hanashiki Onsen exteriorIt is said that Hanashiki Onsen was first discovered and bathed by Minamoto no Yoritomo in the Kamakura period. It was named after the cherry petals floating in the hot water at that time. Spring quality: Weak alkaline low toned high hot spring Benefits: neuralgia, rheumatism, beautiful skin, women's diseases, diabetes, atopic dermatitis, etc.
Kyotsuka Onsen
Kyotsuka onsen open-air bathKyozuka Onsen is a wild hot spring where you can enjoy the abundant hot water and the natural beauty of Rokugo. Spring quality: calcium sulfate and chloride spring Benefits: hypertension, arteriosclerosis, wounds, rheumatism
How to get to Rokugo Onsenkyo
35 minutes by bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station on JR Azuma Line
Kusatsu Onsen
Yumomi (hot water freshening) Kusatsu Onsen has the largest natural gush of hot spring water in Japan, with more than 32,300 liters per minute, or the equivalent of about 230,000 drums of hot spring water per day. It is also one of the most acidic hot springs in Japan, with a pH value of 2.1 (Yubata source). The pH value is 2.1 (Yubatake source), which is excellent for sterilization of bacteria and other germs. Footbath Kinoyu Spring quality: Acidic, sulfur-containing aluminum sulfate and chloride onsen (hydrogen sulfide type) (acid hypotonicity high onsen) *Yubata fountainhead Benefits: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, stiff shoulders, motor paralysis, stiff joints, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive disorders, hemorrhoids, sensitivity to cold, recovery after illness, fatigue, health promotion, chronic skin diseases, arteriosclerosis, cuts burns, chronic women's diseases, diabetes, hypertension, etc.
How to get to Kusatsu Onsen
Approximately 25 minutes by bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station on the JR Azuma Line
Manza hot spring panoramic view Manza Onsen is located 1,800 m above sea level and is surrounded by greenery. 5.4 million liters of hot spring water per day flows out from multiple sources, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of hot springs as they tour the baths. Spring quality: Acid sulfur spring Benefits: Diabetes, stiff shoulders, neuralgia, joint pain, rheumatism, skin diseases, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, gastroenteric diseases, chronic digestive diseases, gout, hemorrhoids, women's diseases, sensitivity to cold, and beautiful skin.
Directions to Manza Onsen
40 minutes by bus from Manza/Kazawaguchi Station on the JR Azuma Line
Gunma Prefecture is one of Japan's leading hot spring kingdoms. There are many unique hot spring resorts in the Agatsuma Line area. Accommodations are also available, so why not enjoy a relaxing and healing hot spring trip? Photo courtesy of Kanko Gunma Photo Studio
