Takaragawa Onsen (Japan's largest outdoor onsen)
Manza Onsen (Japan's highest outdoor onsen)
*** The two images above were downloaded from the internet.

This review has been marinating for almost a year… The superstar traveled to Japan again in 2017 (they go every year, haha). From November 13th to 20th, 2017, they embarked on a road trip to see the fall foliage in Gunma Prefecture. This trip was flown on Singapore Airlines, a top-tier 5-star airline, with a promotional price from Phuket-Singapore-Tokyo roundtrip for only 12,500 baht.

The trip focused on experiencing the blissful atmosphere of Japan's #1 onsen (or so they say… who are "they"?). Takaragawa Onsen is a well-known onsen among Thai people and consistently ranks high in internet searches. It is considered the largest open-air onsen in Japan. The price is a bit high, but it's definitely worth it. Booking can be difficult as the hotel is almost always fully booked, but I booked about 6 months in advance through Agoda, as usual.

Another onsen that isn't as popular among Thai tourists, possibly due to its distance and lack of reviews, is Manza Onsen. Located on the Manzayama ski resort, the Manza Prince Hotel boasts the highest open-air onsen in Japan, at an altitude of over 1800 meters above sea level. The atmosphere is incredible, soaking in the milky-colored onsen with unobstructed views of the snow-covered valley. It's absolutely blissful (and the price isn't bad either, at 2800 baht per night for the room only). It's a bit of a drive, but the hotel offers a shuttle bus service from various stations. However, you need to book the bus in advance by emailing the hotel.

These two onsen are about 2 hours and 45 minutes apart by car, covering a distance of 106 km. However, during my trip, there was a road closure due to a snow avalanche, forcing me to take a detour, increasing the distance to 195 km and extending the driving time to over 3 hours. Details about the accommodation and directions will be included in the comments below.

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The superstar departed from Phuket Airport to Singapore and from Singapore to Narita on the evening of November 13, 2017, arriving in Narita on the morning of November 14, 2017. The flight was operated by Singapore Airlines and the round-trip ticket price was 12,500 baht.

Upon arrival, we picked up the rental car that we had booked with Times Carrent.

This adorable Suzuki is a fuel-efficient and easy-to-drive car. It has been thoroughly inspected before delivery.

After getting the car, we drove to Nikko City and stayed at the Hotel New Ooruri (Nikko). The hotel is quite old but clean, with beautiful views. The hotel is located on the banks of the Kinugawa River, next to the Tateiwa Bridge. It has an open-air onsen where you can soak while enjoying the changing leaves and listening to the sound of the stream. This was just the beginning of the trip, and it was already amazing. Most importantly, the hotel is very cheap, with a price of 3,675 baht per night, including breakfast and a buffet dinner.

(Dinner includes unlimited alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine. You can refill as many times as you want. Amazing!)

This photo captures the view from the bridge next to the hotel where I am staying.

Open-air onsen with views of the bridge, stream, and autumn leaves on the mountainside.

After waking up early, we took a scenic drive around the hotel and the Nikko World Heritage Site. We continued driving to our main destination for this trip, Takaragawa Onsen. The route and mapcode to enter into your car's GPS are listed below.

Ryuo-kyo Gorge (Ryuokyo Canyon) is a canyon with islets in the middle of the river, offering stunning views.

Mapcode: 367 686 765*28

The iconic red Shinkyo Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit for photo opportunities. However, finding parking can be challenging.

Mapcode: 367 312 026*22

Shoyoen Gardens, Rinnoji Temple.

Mapcode: 367 312 196*55

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Kegon Falls, visited during the season when leaves had fallen, revealing bare branches, yet the waterfall remained magnificent in its grandeur. Situated atop a towering cliff, the waterfall cascaded down, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

Mapcode: 367 240 384*17

Lake Chuzenji Observation Deck

Mapcode: 947 178 559*52

Ryuzu Falls, located downstream from Lake Chuzenji, boasts a powerful and magnificent flow of water. The crystal-clear water and refreshingly cool air create a breathtaking natural spectacle.

Mapcode: 735 024 616*28

Enjoy lunch at the Senjogahara Viewpoint, just a 1.9 km drive from Ryuzu Falls.

Mapcode: 735 114 044*71

Yuno Lake - Yudaki Falls

Mapcode: 735 171 204*85

Rest stop, fuel up in 26.8 km (less than 30 minutes drive)

Mapcode: 735 123 663*52

Naramata Dam (41.5 km from the gas station, 1 hour and 12 minutes) offers a breathtaking view from the top of the dam. The atmosphere of the reservoir is beautiful, especially when it starts to snow.

Mapcode: 540 760 274*11

Capture a stunning photo with the picturesque reservoir before checking in.

It was getting dark as we checked in to the Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku hotel.

Mapcode: 540 636 300*17

The details of the various locations have already been extensively reviewed on Pantip.com, so I will not waste your time by describing them here.

Takaragawa Onsen: A Tranquil Retreat Amidst Autumn Hues

Takaragawa Onsen, nestled amidst the vibrant tapestry of autumn foliage, offers a serene escape for weary travelers. While the peak season for witnessing the fiery hues of fall foliage has passed, the remaining leaves still paint a breathtaking spectacle.

My two-night stay at the Annex, the oldest building in the resort, provided a unique experience. The Annex, with its vintage charm, boasts a prime location along the riverbank, offering unparalleled proximity to the onsen. Despite the lack of en-suite bathrooms, the shared facilities, conveniently located across the hallway, ensure comfort and convenience.

My room, number 322, occupied the central position on the upper floor. While room 323, situated at the corner overlooking the onsen, might offer a slightly more picturesque view, my room provided ample opportunities to soak in the surrounding beauty.

With a simple gesture of opening the window, I was greeted by the mesmerizing sight of the flowing stream and the iconic bridge, a popular spot for capturing memories. A slight tilt of the head towards the right revealed the first onsen bath, nestled amidst the vibrant foliage. The crystal-clear water, reflecting the fiery hues of the leaves, created a scene of unparalleled tranquility.

The price of the room for 2 nights is 14,881 baht, including breakfast and buffet dinner for 2 people. The food is very delicious.

Upon arrival, it was already dark. We parked the car and went straight to the onsen, wearing yukatas for dinner. The next morning, we went for a walk to take pictures of the beautiful red leaves. We were lucky because on the second day, before checking out, it was the first snowfall of the year (November 18, 2018). We had breakfast while watching the snow fall. Before leaving, we went to the onsen again amidst the first snowfall (the leaves were still red and it was snowing, WOW!).

I apologize for the hidden camera footage of the celebrity in the onsen.

After checking out, we headed to our next destination, Manza Prince Hotel. However, along the way, we passed Kusatsu Onsen, another must-see tourist town.

The first stop on our journey was...

The Tanigawa Ropeway takes you up to the top of the mountain, where it has been snowing heavily for several days. The snow is already a foot deep.

Mapcode: 554 625 024*66

Seeking refuge from the cold, we stopped for warm coffee and lunch at the visitor center above.

Continuing on to Kusatsu Onsen, a distance of 88 km, the drive takes approximately 2 hours. The town is known for its hot springs, which flow through channels in the center of the town and are then distributed to hotels and bathhouses. The central hot spring is a beautiful, clear blue color, with steam rising and the scent of sulfur filling the air. The town is a popular tourist destination.

Mapcode: 341 446 359*66 Parking Mapcode: 341 446 176*47 or park at a nearby hotel (may incur fees) Mapcode: 341 446 357*52

From this city, Manza Prince Hotel is only 19 km away, a 34-minute drive. Along the way, there is a beautiful blue lake on top of a mountain called Crater Lake Yugama: Mapcode: 341 499 162*44.

This is a crater lake formed by a volcanic crater. The water comes from rainwater that accumulates in the crater. The water in the lake is a beautiful turquoise color. There are only a few crater lakes in the world.

Unfortunately, the road was closed due to an avalanche (what a pity!). I had to take a detour around the city, which added 28.2 km and 45 minutes to my drive. When I reached the final toll booth before ascending to the hotel, I was stopped by officials who wouldn't let me proceed. They informed me that it had snowed and the road was covered in thick snow. My tires were not snow tires, so I couldn't continue. I was at a loss for what to do when I noticed a Japanese tourist in a Mercedes-Benz parked nearby, also unable to proceed. He kindly called the hotel, which sent a shuttle bus to pick us up. The shuttle was actually picking up other people from nearby towns who had booked it in advance. While we waited, I chatted with the Japanese man in the blue shirt. He turned out to be a famous golfer in Japan, or so he said. Haha.

This is our room, only 2800 baht per night. Breakfast and dinner are not included, but we can buy food at the hotel. The view from the window is a snow-capped valley with billowing sulfur smoke, as far as the eye can see. The same view as the onsen we are going to soak in this evening.

The spacious room features a comfortable double bed with soft linens.

The highest open-air onsen in Japan. The milky white mineral water overflows the pool continuously. Surrounded by snow and a breathtaking valley view, this is a truly unique experience. There are three pools in total. The leftmost pool is for women and provides bathing suits, while the other two are for men and require nudity. Although it may seem unfair, even celebrities don't shy away from the experience.

Upon check-in, we booked a free shuttle bus to take us to the toll booth for our return drive to Tokyo. The first available departure was at 10:30 AM.

This review focuses on two main tourist destinations: Takaragawa Onsen and Manza Onsen. The information provided is limited, so I recommend conducting further research online. Thank you for following my review.