What to know
Bessho Onsen (別所温泉) is a small hot spring town just outside central Ueda City in Nagano Prefecture. During the Kamakura Period (1192–1333), it served as the headquarters of the governor of the Shinshu Region (today's Nagano Prefecture), who built temples and brought Kamakura culture to this mountain town. This made Bessho Onsen a prosperous center of education and religion, earning it the nickname "Kamakura of Shinshu."
Bessho Onsen is the oldest recorded hot spring in the region. Its sulfurous waters have long been prized for their healing properties and are said to have healed the arrow wounds of warriors who bathed in them. Three small traditional public bathhouses are scattered around town, offering visitors a chance to experience the atmosphere of a neighborhood hot spring bath. For larger baths and more amenities, head to the Aisome no Yu public bathhouse at the entrance of the town.
Bessho Onsen is a compact town easily explored on foot. Its temples are set along the wooded slopes surrounding the town and are connected to the center by narrow streets and lanes lined with small shops, restaurants, and ryokan. All of Bessho Onsen's attractions are within a ten- to fifteen-minute walk from Bessho Onsen Station.