Wangsenkaku, Takaragawa Onsen, Gunma Prefecture Part 1: The appeal of "the onsen" (hot springs)

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Takaragawa Onsen Wangsenkaku

The charm of "THE ONSEN" is revealed!

One of the most enjoyable aspects of travel is the local cuisine, the spectacular scenery that changes with the seasons, and of course, the onsen (hot springs)! Did you know that there are many hot springs in eastern Japan that are called "ji-onsen," or "local hot springs," and have been loved by locals for centuries? Once used as therapeutic hot spring baths, and even today there are many hot spring resorts that continue to heal people. We will introduce the charms of "local hot springs" that warm the body and soul in the form of an interview!

What is a "Yumamori"?

The word "yumori" means "guardian of hot spring water. In other words, a "yumori" is a caretaker of a hot spring. They are in charge of controlling the amount and temperature of the hot water. The traditional hot spring baths that have taken root in each area and are the pride of the yumori of the "local hot springs" introduced in this project have been protected by them throughout their long history.

A large open-air bath with a spectacular view in the unexplored region of Okutone, Gunma Prefecture! Takaragawa Onsen Wangsenkaku

The first hot spring we will introduce here is Takaragawa Onsen Wangsenkaku in Minakami Town, located in the northernmost part of Gunma Prefecture. We interviewed Mr. Ishii, the manager, and Mr. Ono, the president of the hot spring resort!

Enjoy the open-air baths in the great outdoors!

Please tell us about the features and pride of Takaragawa Onsen Wangsenkaku.

Manager Mr. Ishii
"We have four large open-air baths made of giant stones that are full of natural beauty. The four large open-air baths, which cover an area of 470 tatami mats in total, are our pride and joy. You can enjoy bathing to your heart's content while feeling the untouched nature and the flow of the Takara River. The guest rooms are made of wood (hinokiyo zukuri) built in 1955, and the pillars are made of cherry wood. You can feel the warmth of the wood in these rooms. The hotel has also been featured in the Japanese and international media, and many guests from all over the world visit Takaragawa Onsen.

Each of the four large open-air baths has a different size and view, so you will want to try to conquer them all! Please find your favorite open-air bath.
Mixed bathing open-air bath
Guest room (image)

The best selling point in winter is the snow-viewing open-air bath!

The spring is filled with cherry blossoms, the summer with fresh greenery, and the fall with the changing of leaves. Is there anything you would like to tell guests visiting in winter that they can enjoy only in winter?

Manager Mr. Ishii
"The best selling point of Takaragawa Onsen in winter is the snow-viewing open-air bath. The best time to visit is from January to February.
Mixed bathing open-air bath Mahano-yu
Soaking in the hot springs and enjoying the fantastic winter-only scenery is sure to be a luxurious experience. It is sure to be a luxurious time! Soaking in hot water in the crisp cool air is another way to enjoy winter. This winter, enjoy a snow bath at Wangsenkaku in Hogawa Onsen.
Takaragawa Onsen Wangosenkaku is enveloped in a world of silver.

The commitment of the "Yumori-no-Mori" (hot water guardian) to protect the hot spring water.

Ono, president of "Yumori-no-Yumoru," the manager of the hot spring. What kind of thoughts and persistence do you have in managing the hot spring?

President Ono of Yumori
"As a single inn in the mountains with a total of 470 tatami mats of open-air baths, we are committed to temperature control and safety control according to the season so that our guests can enjoy the beautiful nature of Takaragawa while bathing in our hot springs with peace of mind."

Finally, we asked President Ono to tell us what he likes about Minakami Town.

Nature-rich Minakami Town

President Ono of Yumori chooses "delicious water," "beautiful nature," and "outdoor activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year" as his favorite parts of Minakami Town.

-Are there any places you recommend to enjoy the beautiful wilderness?

President Ono, Yumori
"Of course you can enjoy the spectacular view created by nature from the four large open-air baths, but the view from the Shirataka Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting the pavilion and the open-air baths, is also wonderful. The bridge offers a panoramic view of the Takaragawa River and the surrounding mountains, and some guests enjoy taking pictures on the bridge. The hot water coming out of the taps in the facility is all hot spring water, and we are proud of the fact that you can experience the blessings of beautiful nature even when you are not looking at it.
Autumn leaves cover the entire area.

Snowshoe tours" are recommended outdoor activities in winter

Canyons" offers rafting, canyoning, and other outdoor activity tours in the rich natural environment of Minakami Town. They told us about their recommended "snowshoeing" activity for winter.
The white snow-covered mountains are a spectacular sight in themselves.
What kind of activity is snowshoeing?
Snowshoeing is a Western-style snowshoeing activity. It is a magical experience that allows you to easily approach places that are normally inaccessible. Since most of the leaves have fallen in the forest, you can often see spectacular views that you could not see in the summer. And with the use of inclines and snow slides, this tour is a great way to exercise your body and refresh your mind in tandem."

Who would you recommend this tour to?
Anyone from children to the elderly can participate. If you don't have snow boots or hiking shoes, we have rental shoes available. We also have a variety of sizes available. Basically, we recommend that you wear ski wear. (If you are a winter mountaineer, you can wear that as well.
The staff will guide you through the tour, even if you are a beginner!
Take a leisurely stroll in the snow!
Please tell us about the appeal of snowshoeing in Minakami Town!
Located just behind Niigata, Minakami Town has the best snow quality in the world. Located just behind Niigata, Minakami Town has the best snow quality and is a snow country area where foreigners like to hide out. Also, there are many small mountains with undulating peaks, especially Tanigawa-dake (Mt. Tanigawa). Tanigawa. Hiking with snowshoes requires a moderate level of physical strength and provides light exercise. The scenery is also spectacular. Anyway, give it a try."
Combining the healing hot springs of Wangsenkaku in Takaragawa Onsen with a snowshoe tour that will allow you to enjoy the great outdoors with all of your senses is sure to be a trip that will refresh your body and soul! For more information about snowshoe tours, please click the link below.
For more information on snowshoe tours, please visit

Visit Hogawa Onsen Wangsenkaku for all the fun that only winter can offer!

What did you think? In this article, we asked for more information about the winter attractions of Wangsenkaku in Takaragawa Onsen. We hope you will visit Hogawa Onsen Wangsenkaku to enjoy the winter charms of a large open-air bath in the great outdoors of Okutone.
Maya-no-yu" in winter

◆Next notice

In the next issue, we will take a closer look at the charms of Matsukawa Onsen Kyounso in Iwate Prefecture.
If you would like to know more about the "places and hot springs," please click the link button below.
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