Chubu · Yamanouchi, Nagano

♨ Shibu Onsen

A lantern-lit street of small public baths near the snow monkeys.

Quick facts

Location: Yamanouchi, Nagano (Chubu region)
Water type: Sulfate spring
Tattoos: Check ahead with each bath
Directions: Open in Google Maps

About Shibu Onsen

A narrow, lantern-lit street of old wooden ryokan with nine small public baths. Overnight guests get a key to bath-hop all nine for luck, and day visitors can use bath No. 9, Oyu (¥500). The snow monkeys of Jigokudani Monkey Park are a short bus ride and forest walk away, best in winter. From Yudanaka Station it's a quick bus or taxi ride, or about a 20-minute walk.

The water

Mostly sodium-calcium sulphate-chloride springs, and each of the nine public baths has its own water. Bath No. 9, Oyu, is iron-rich and tea-brown. It's traditionally said to soothe nerve pain and rheumatism.

History

The springs are said to have been discovered by the priest Gyoki about 1,300 years ago. Visiting all nine public baths (kuyu meguri) is a long-standing local tradition.

Getting there

From: Nagano
Route: Nagano Electric Railway to Yudanaka, then bus, taxi or about 20 min walk
JR Pass: Not covered (Nagaden is private); JR Pass covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano.

Check current timetables and fares before you travel.

Famous for (meibutsu)

Shinshu soba (food): Nagano's buckwheat noodles
Shinshu apples (food): Nagano is a top apple prefecture
Shinshu miso (food): the region's everyday miso

Plan your trip: tours & day trips near Yudanaka

Find Yudanaka tours on GetYourGuide

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