A Complete Guide To Kinugawa Onsen – Where To Go and What To Eat

With a history of over 300 years, Kinugawa Onsen boasts its magnificent canyons beauty and famous hot spring water. To help first-time visitors to Japan enjoy Kinugawa Onsen 120% more, the Sakura Mobile Blog Team has created a complete guide to Kinugawa Onsen.

In this article, you will learn about the best places to stay, things to do in Kinugawa Onsen, recommended food, and restaurants.

We hope you find it useful!

Table of Contents

1. What kind of place is Kinugawa Onsen?
2. Introduction to the charms of Kinugawa Onsen
3. Ryokan and hotels at Kinugawa Onsen
4. Things to do – Enjoying nature-
5. Things to do – Enjoying the culture-
6. Food and restaurants in Kinugawa Onsen
7. Places to visit in Nikko
8. Example of a two-day, one-night travel plan
9. When to visit Kinugawa Onsen
10. How to get to Kinugawa Onsen
11. Kinugawa Onsen map
12. Things to keep in mind
13. Conclusion

1. What kind of place is Kinugawa Onsen?

Kinugawa Onsen is one of the leading hot spring resort towns in the Kanto region, located along the Kinugawa River in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Along with Hakone and Atami, Kinugawa Onsen is famous as a hot spring resort easily accessible from Tokyo and attracts more than 2 million tourists every year.

Kinugawa Onsen was first discovered in the 1600’s during the Edo period (1603-1868). It is said that at the time it was a special hot spring that only the feudal lords who ruled Nikko and priests were allowed to use. After opening to the public in the Meiji era (the 1800s), it developed into a tourist attraction.

The water is mildly alkaline and gentle on the skin. It has been popular since ancient times for its efficiency in treating burns.

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2. Introduction to the charms of Kinugawa Onsen

There are about 40 different inns and hotels in Kinugawa Onsen. From large hotels that are accessible and affordable for everyone to luxury inns where you can enjoy private onsen, there is a variety of accommodations.

A relaxing soak in an outdoor hot spring surrounded by nature will surely relax your body and soul. In addition to hot springs, there are many other attractions nearby which we will explore in the following sections.

Enjoy the majestic beauty of the valley up close

There are many spots where you can enjoy nature around Kinugawa River.

If you want to enjoy the clear waters of the Kinugawa River and the lush green mountains, we recommend the Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge, the Kinugawa River Ropeway, and the Ryuokyo Hiking Trail.

If you want to experience the dynamic flow of the Kinugawa River, you may want to join the Kinugawa Line Rafting. Enjoy the natural beauty of the river from various angles.

Enjoy the gourmet food of the Kinugawa area

In Kinugawa Onsen, there are many gourmet foods unique to the hot spring area and unique foods made with local ingredients.

Onsen Manju (steamed buns with red bean paste inside) and Baumkuchen made with local eggs from Nikko are perfect sweets for those who want to eat their way around.

If you’re hungry, try the handmade soba (buckwheat noodle) shop that uses local buckwheat flour.

There is also a “foot bath cafe” where you can eat soft ice cream while soaking in the foot bath. If you are tired of walking around the city, this is a good place to take a break.

Enjoy Nikko Sightseeing

If you are staying in Kinugawa Onsen, be sure to visit Nikko, a popular sightseeing spot.

There are many places to visit in Nikko, such as Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage Site; Senjogahara, a marshland where you can enjoy natural scenes such as wild birds and waterfalls; Kegon no Taki, where waterfalls from 97 meters high; and Lake Chuzenji, where you can enjoy the scenery on a sightseeing boat.

It takes about 40 minutes by train from Kinugawa Onsen Station to Nikko Toshogu Shrine. If you use the “NIKKO PASS,” which is convenient for sightseeing, you can ride unlimited trains and buses from Kinugawa Onsen to various sightseeing spots in Nikko.

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3. Ryokan and hotels at Kinugawa Onsen

Here are three of the best ryokan and hotels in Kinugawa Onsen.

Bettei Sasane (別邸笹音)

Looking over the mesmerizing Kinugawa River and providing you hotel rooms with open-air hot springs attached to them, Bettei Sasane is a popular hotel on the banks of Kinugawa River. Soak in the hot spring while listening to the sounds of the four seasons is Bettei Sasane’s motto.

The hotel has four types of traditional Japanese-style rooms with a private open-air hot spring attached to them. Adapting to each season, Bettei Sasane offers high-class traditional Japanese seafood cuisine.

Asaya Hotel (あさやホテル)

Established 130 years ago and still in operation today, Asaya Hotel has remained popular among people visiting Kinugawa Onsen. This hotel is popular for the open-air bath located on the top floor, which is surrounded by a beautiful Japanese garden. You can enjoy dipping in the hot spring gazing at nature and you can almost feel like you can touch the stars.

This hotel has both Japanese and Western-style rooms and it caters to customers with different needs. You can enjoy the traditional Japanese cuisine made from local produce.

Kinugawa Onsen Hotel (鬼怒川温泉ホテル)

“A trip to deepen ties” is Kinugawa Onsen Hotel’s motto which is followed by the hotel to help people strengthen bonds within their families. Kinugawa Onsen Hotel was one of the first hotels to open near the banks of Kinugawa River and has boasted a high quality of hospitality by accommodating many famous people over the years.

The hotel has a wide variety of Japanese and Western-style rooms which are child-friendly as well. You can eat high-class Japanese dishes at the buffet or in the private dining area.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

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4. Things to do – Enjoying nature-

For those who want to enjoy nature in Kinugawa Onsen, here are four places to visit.

Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge (鬼怒楯岩大吊橋)

The Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge is a 140-meter-long suspension bridge located on the south side of Kinugawa Onsen town. From the top of the bridge, which is 40 meters high, you can see the fierce current of the Kinugawa River and the mountains full of greenery. Take a deep breath and bask in the natural fragrance of nature around.

The bridge may sway a little, but it is rather thrilling and enjoyable. In autumn, the mountains turn red with the changing colors of the leaves, giving you a taste of Japan’s vibrant seasons. After crossing the bridge, there is an observatory overlooking the hot spring resort, which is also a recommended spot to check out.

Kinugawa Ropeway (鬼怒川温泉ロープウェイ)

Gazing at the panoramic view of Kinugawa town and Mt. Tsukuba, you can enjoy a short 4-minute trip on the Kinugawa Ropeway to a viewing deck 300 meters above the ground. From the viewing deck, you can take some time to rest and observe the beautiful changing colors of the mountain.

You can also play with and feed the monkeys on the mountain. The monkeys are friendly and are extremely curious creatures, so be careful of your belongings. They beg for treats in adorable ways and it is very hard to resist them.

Ryuokyo (龍王峡)

Interesting in going on a nature trail? Ryuokyo is for visitors like you who love nature and want to experience the natural beauty through all five senses. 22 million years ago, the rocks at Ryuokyo were created after an underwater volcanic eruption. The shape of these rocks has changed over the years due to the Kinugawa River smoothing them out.

As the Ryuokyo name implies, the landscape looks like a ‘Ryu’ (dragon) slithering. The Musasabi Bridge is the highlight of this place, where you can view the landscape in all its glory.

Kinugawa Line Kudari (鬼怒川ライン下り)

Kinugawa Line Kudari is an adventure that you must experience, taking you through the enticing Kinugawa River. The skillful oarsmanship of the boatman will take you on a thrilling ride down the river. But keep in mind that Kinugawa literally translates to Angry Demon River! Be careful and hold on tight to the boat, don’t let the Angry Demon in the river scare you.

With the ever-changing color of the leaves, you can view the breathtaking sight of the nature of Kinugawa and enjoy it thoroughly in any season you visit.

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5. Things to do – Enjoying the culture-

Next, we will introduce three things to do and places to go where you can enjoy Japanese culture.

EDO WONDERLAND Nikko Edomura (EDO WONDERLAND 日光江戸村)

Edo Wonderland is a small village where you can feel like you have stepped back in time to 17th century Japan. You can experience a slice of Edo Period Japan through delicious food, fun activities, and a variety of entertaining performances.

There are temples, mazes, and exhibitions you can visit to delve deep into Edo culture. Children can also experience being a ninja, samurai, and a police in the Edo era. You can enjoy an array of Edo delicacies like Yabu soba (a type Japanese noodle) and Yama Kujira (wild boar).

Tobu World Square (東武ワールドスクウェア)

An architectural museum with 102 replicas of famous monuments all over the world, Tobu World Square is a must-visit for travelers. All the buildings are much smaller in size compared to the original monuments, at 1/25th of the original version. These famous monuments also include 47 world heritage sites.

Aiming to cater to customers of all demographics, Tobu World Square is easily accessible and welcomes those in wheelchairs, infants, and even those with pets. Tobu World Square also has restaurants that provide a variety of Japanese cuisine ranging from traditional to modern cuisines.

Kinuta no Yu (鬼怒太の湯 (足湯))

Kinuta no Yu is a footbath located right in front of Kinugawa Onsen Station on Tobu Railway. It is named after the character of Kinugawa Onsen, the demon “Kinuta”.

Many locals and international travelers love to rest while dipping their feet in Kinuta no Yu to reenergize their legs after walking for a long time. Keep your eyes out for a Kinuta statue near the footbath because it is a popular photo op among tourists.

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6. Food and restaurants in Kinugawa Onsen

Here are three recommended foods and restaurants in Kinugawa Onsen.

Manju Restaurant Oami (まんじゅう処 おおあみ)

Manju is a traditional Japanese confectionery made of bean jam. It is a standard souvenir at hot spring resorts, and there are many Manju shops in Kinugawa Onsen. There are more than 15 of them!

Each of the shops sells buns with their own unique characteristics, and “Manju-Dokoro Oami” is one of the most popular stores.

The famous “Karintou Manju” is a perfect balance of savory crust and top-quality bean paste.

Ashiyu Cafe Espo (足湯カフェ エスポ)

Ashiyu Cafe Espo is a café with a footbath where you can enjoy a view of the Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge and the nature of Kinugawa.

This cafe is popular among locals and many people frequently visit here to reenergize by dipping in the footbath. You can eat a variety of sweet dishes and drink coffee made at the cafe.

Handmade Soba Sarashina (手打ちそば 更科)

Soba Sarashina offers a variety of soba dishes using by using different soup bases or adding tempura (deep-fried vegetables, meat, seafood) to the dish.

All the ingredients used are taken from the nearby area and are then made into different foods by chefs who are skilled in making traditional Japanese handmade cuisine.

If you are visiting Kinugawa, make sure to try out soba from Sarashina.

Baumkuchen Kobo Hachiya (バウムクーヘン工房 はちや)

Inspired by the beautiful valleys of Kinugawa Onsen, Baumkuchen Kobo Hachiya offers a variety of baumkuchen flavors ranging from Hachiya original, Strawberry, to Soy sauce taste.

The most popular Baumkuchen is the Rock Baumkuchen which has the funny shape of the Kinugawa River’s waves. You should definitely try the delicacies Baumkuchen Kobo Hachiya has to offer.

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7. Places to visit in Nikko

Here are four recommended spots for sightseeing in Nikko.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine (日光東照宮)

Nikko Toshogu is a shrine dedicated to Ieyasu Tokugawa who founded the Edo Shogunate, the government of Japan that lasted for more than 250 years from 1603. It is registered as a World Heritage Site.

The shrine grounds are lined with 55 buildings, most of which are designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The buildings were built by master craftsmen from all over Japan.

It is also famous as a power spot, and is considered to be a place where one can receive power for luck in work and personal life.

Kegon Waterfall (華厳滝)

Known as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, Kegon Waterfall is the most popular among the other 48 waterfalls in the Nikko region. The water flows from a height of 100 meters from Lake Chuzenji, which is mentioned in the section below.

In the summer, you can see swallows flying over the waterfall and a refreshing green scenery. The waterfall freezes in the winter and you will see specks of blue in it caused by the reflection of the sunlight.

Lake Chuzenji (中禅寺湖)

Created after the eruption of Mt. Nantai 20,000 years ago, Lake Chuzenji is known to be a picturesque destination visited by many. This lake is Japan’s highest elevated lake located at a height of 1,269 meters above sea level.

The ever-changing colors of the leaves reflect in the lake, making it look like a completely different place. We recommend riding a boat on Lake Chuzenji to view the lake up close.

Senjogahara (戦場ヶ原)

Senjogahara is a large area of highland marsh located 1,400 meters above sea level and popular for its hiking trail. It used to be a lake formed by the eruption of Mt. Nantai but became a marsh over time.

The nature surrounding Senjogahara bewitches anyone who lays their eyes on it, and in different seasons you can enjoy different sceneries. Most people visit between July to August and at the end of September to October.

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8. Sample travel itinerary of a two-day, one-night travel plan

We would like to introduce an example of a travel plan for visiting Kinugawa Onsen for two days and one night. We hope you find it useful.

There are many shops and restaurants in the area, so you can thoroughly enjoy the Kinugawa and Nikko culture. Make sure to keep yourself well dehydrated and dress accordingly to the weather so you can visit all the locations and not get tired.

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9. When to visit Kinugawa Onsen

You can appreciate the various picturesque views that Kinugawa Onsen has to offer during all four seasons.

In spring, you can attend events such as the Kinugawa Onsen Sakura Festival where you can see a Yokosai (Japanese dance and singing) parade going through the streets and the Kinugawa Onsen Yozakura (Night Sakura) Light-Up in which cherry blossoms are illuminated with lights at night.

Summer in Kinugawa is much cooler compared to the city areas and it is the best time to do water sports such as Kinugawa Line Kudari mentioned above in the article. Many people visit the fireworks festivals and enjoy eating popular Kinugawa street food like Manju.

In autumn, you can experience the rustic beauty of nature with different shades of leaves ranging from red to yellow. Most people visit Kinugawa in autumn to capture pictures of waterfalls and the Ryuokyo with different colored trees around.

Winter in Kinugawa is very severe and the average temperature is 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). There are some days when the temperature goes as low as -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). Most of the waterfalls are frozen, making the most famous Kegon waterfall popular among tourists. Many people hike the snow-capped mountains as well.

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10. How to get to Kinugawa Onsen

Traveling from Tokyo

By Train

The fastest and cheapest way to travel to Kinugawa is by taking the Nikko-Kinugawa Line or Tobu-Nikko line from Asakusa station or Tokyo Skytree Station in Tokyo and using the NIKKO PASS. It takes around two or two and a half hours to get to Kinugawa Onsen station from Tokyo.

The NIKKO PASS can be purchased online and received at the TOBU Tourist Information Center in Asakusa which is open all year round. This pass is valid for 4 days and in the Kinugawa Onsen area, it provides discounts for Tobu World Square, EDO WONDERLAND Nikko Edomura, the Lake Chuzenji cruise, the Kinugawa Koen Iwaburo, the Kinugawa Onsen Ropeway, and Osaru-no-Yama. The NIKKO PASS also includes all Tobu Railway lines and all Tobu Bus lines in the Nikko and Kinugawa area.

By Car

It takes around two to three hours to reach Kinugawa Onsen from Tokyo by car. It may also take longer depending on traffic.

Traveling from Osaka

By Train

It takes around six hours to get to Kinugawa Onsen from Osaka station. First, start from Kyoto Station and head to Tokyo Station. Then go to Asakusa Station or Tokyo Skytree Station and get the NIKKO PASS to go to Kinugawa Onsen station by the Nikko-Kinugawa Line or Tobu-Nikko line. The total cost is around 17,000 JPY.

By Car

It takes around eight to eight and a half hours to reach Kinugawa Onsen by car from Osaka.

Traveling from Kyoto

By Train

It takes around five hours to get to Kinugawa Onsen from Kyoto station. First, go to Tokyo station. Then go to Asakusa station or Tokyo Skytree Station and get the NIKKO PASS to go to Kinugawa Onsen station by the Nikko-Kinugawa Line or Tobu-Nikko line. The total cost is around 17,000 JPY.

By Car

It takes around seven to eight hours to reach Kinugawa Onsen by car from Kyoto.

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11. Kinugawa Onsen map

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12. Things to keep in mind

– Do you have tattoos?

At most hotels/ryokan in Kinugawa Onsen, tattoos are only allowed in a private onsen. You can dip in the hot springs attached to your room or the private hot springs in the hotel/ryokan. Tattoos are not allowed in the public onsen.

– Types of onsen?

Kinugawa Onsen has hot springs ranging from foot baths to full body baths. Most hot springs have simple alkaline water which is gentle on the skin and also child-friendly.

– Onsen etiquette?

To protect the onsen there are certain etiquettes you need to follow before, during, and after dipping in the onsen. The Japan Spa Association has a guide you can follow.

– Food allergies?

Restaurants and hotels in Kinugawa Onsen cater to customers who have food allergies, restriction, and also provide vegetarian or vegan dishes.

– Let’s bring cash!

Most places in Kinugawa Onsen still use cash for payment instead of credit cards. Make sure to keep enough cash with you while traveling.

– Foreign currency exchange machines here?

There is a Foreign currency exchange machine at Tobu Nikko Station. We recommend you exchange any currency in Tokyo before going to Kinugawa Onsen.

– Is there internet access?

Most hotels and gift shops have FREESPOT wi-fi access points to connect to the internet.

– English-speaking tourist information center?

Most tourist locations in Kinugawa Onsen have information centers with people who can speak English.

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13. Conclusion

Do you feel more informed about Kinugawa Onsen?

Close to Tokyo, Kinugawa Onsen is popular among people who want an escapade from their hectic lives in the city area.

A vacation to Kinugawa Onsen will provide you with a variety of attractions you can enjoy ranging from relaxing natural views like lakes and waterfalls to adventurous water sports and hiking.

If you want to appreciate traditional Japanese, be sure to visit Kinugawa Onsen.

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