Readme before you journey
Many visitors to Japan have had the opportunity to soak in the onsen of ryokans or hotels. However, I believe that many of you have never tried an open-air onsen, which is called Rotenburo (露天風呂, ろてんぶろ) in Japanese. Especially during the winter season, soaking in a natural hot spring onsen not only makes you feel relaxed and refreshed, but the atmosphere and scenery of the open-air onsen hidden in the mysterious valley covered with pure white snow is amazingly beautiful and romantic.
Today, I would like to invite my friends to soak in the outdoor onsen at Takaragawa Onsen. I stayed overnight at Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku on February 8, 2018. Please see the review. The content and description are below the picture (When taking pictures while soaking in the onsen, please choose early morning when there are fewer people and respect the rights of others by not taking pictures of other people).
Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku: A Luxurious Retreat in the Heart of Japan's Hot Spring Country
Nestled amidst the picturesque mountains and valleys of Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku offers a haven of tranquility and rejuvenation. This renowned ryokan boasts some of the most celebrated open-air onsen in central Japan, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the healing waters and embrace the serenity of nature.
Just a 66-minute shinkansen ride from the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku provides a convenient escape from the urban grind. The ryokan's secluded location, surrounded by lush forests and cascading waterfalls, fosters a sense of tranquility and allows guests to reconnect with the natural world.
Minakami, renowned for its abundance of hot springs, boasts over 12 unique onsen sources, each offering distinct therapeutic benefits. Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku draws upon these natural wonders, providing guests with a variety of onsen experiences to revitalize both body and mind.
Whether seeking relaxation in the soothing waters, indulging in exquisite cuisine, or exploring the surrounding natural beauty, Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku promises an unforgettable experience for discerning travelers.
Takaragawa Onsen is renowned for its spacious facilities and its exceptional Rotenburo (露天風呂,ろてんぶろ), open-air onsen baths, which are a major draw for visitors.
The beauty of Takaragawa Onsen transforms with the changing seasons. Nestled amidst a picturesque valley, this ryokan and its open-air onsen baths are embraced by nature's splendor. Lush greenery paints the landscape in summer, while autumn unveils vibrant foliage. Winter, however, unveils the most breathtaking scenery, as pristine snow blankets the surroundings.
This ryokan offers mixed-gender outdoor baths, which are relatively rare nowadays. However, the ryokan also provides separate outdoor baths for women only and offers yukata robes to wear while bathing.
Getting to Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku
Take the JR Pass and ride the Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station to JR Jomo-Kogen Station (66 minutes). From JR Jomo-Kogen Station, take the hotel's free shuttle bus to the ryokan (45 minutes). The bus runs twice a day, at 13:00 and 15:00.
The shuttle bus departs from the ryokan at 9:30 AM and arrives at JR Jomo-Kogen Station.
Room rates vary depending on the type of room you choose to book.
This time, the six of us stayed in an old building over 80 years old called Daiichi Bekkan (#1 annex). We got rooms (two people per room).
Matsu room: Price includes two meals, 11,800 yen per person per night
Fuji room: Price includes two meals, 11,800 yen per person per night
Sakura room: Price includes two meals, 10,800 yen per person per night
For outside guests who only wish to use the outdoor onsen, the ryokan charges a fee of 1,500 yen.
The view from the balcony of the Matsu room, a corner room on the second floor, overlooks a stream of water surrounded by a forest covered in pristine white snow. At night, you can fall asleep listening to the sound of the water flowing, creating an incredibly relaxing atmosphere.
The Matsu room balcony offers a two-meal package for 11,800 yen per person per night. The room includes a TV, refrigerator, storage cabinet, telephone, electric kettle, and heater.
This outdoor onsen facility boasts four rotenburo (open-air baths), all accessible 24 hours a day. Each bath is named as follows:
1. Co-ed bathhouse Maka bath (摩訶の湯)
2. Hannya Bath (般若の湯) - Mixed Gender Bath
3. Kodakara bath (子宝の湯), a mixed-gender bath.
4. Maya Bath (麻耶の湯), a women-only bathhouse.
The East Building also features two separate indoor onsen baths for men and women, open 24 hours a day.
Co-ed bathhouse: Maka no Yu (摩訶の湯)
Hannya Bath (Mixed Gender Bath)
Kodakara bath (子宝の湯), a mixed-gender bath.
The Maya bath (麻耶の湯), a women-only bath, does not allow photography. Therefore, I have provided a picture of the Hannya bath (般若の湯), a mixed-gender bath, instead.
Traditional Japanese onsen bathing requires bathers to be unclothed and to thoroughly cleanse their bodies before entering the pool. For men, a small white cloth (very small indeed) called a Tenugui (手ぬぐい) is provided for cleaning the body before entering the onsen.
Women are permitted to wear the yukata provided by the ryokan, which should be knee-length or longer, when entering the onsen.
Accommodation priced at 11,800 yen includes two meals, breakfast and dinner.
The dinner was a lavish affair, featuring a set menu of sukiyaki, sashimi, and natural side dishes, each portioned individually for each guest.
In addition to the set menu, a buffet is available with a variety of salads, international soups (including bear meat soup), drinks, tea, coffee, desserts, and fruits. (Please inform the ryokan in advance if you do not eat beef.)
Website of Ryokan Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku
The morning sunlight bathes the snow-covered valley forest, creating a breathtaking atmosphere.
jirobkk
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 3:27 PM
