What to know
Okukinu Onsen (奥鬼怒温泉) is a collection of four remote hot spring ryokan nestled deep in a valley in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture. These inns offer some of the most atmospheric and rustic outdoor baths in the Kanto Region, a world away from bustling Tokyo and the developed Kinugawa Onsen.
Cars and buses can only go as far as the Meotobuchi parking lot at the entrance to the Okukinu area. From there, guests staying at a ryokan can arrange a pickup, while day visitors must hike up the valley for about 90 to 120 minutes one way to reach the four ryokan: Kaniyu, Haccho-no-yu, Nikkozawa, and Teshirosawa, which are 10 to 15 minutes apart. The hiking trail may be impassable in winter.
Among the four ryokan, Kaniyu (加仁湯) and Haccho-no-yu (八丁の湯) are the most popular, each with multiple indoor and outdoor baths featuring milky, sulfur-rich waters and nature views. In the past, non-guests could use the baths for a fee during the day, but Haccho-no-yu has stopped this service, and Kaniyu now requires advance reservations via a Japanese form or phone, making a day trip challenging for non-Japanese speakers.
Four buses per day (roughly one every three hours) run from Kinugawa Onsen Station to Meotobuchi (女夫渕, 95 minutes, 1,570 yen one way), where guests can be picked up by their ryokan's van. Hiking up the valley takes about 90 to 120 minutes one way. Those arriving by car can park for free at the Meotobuchi lot.
How to get to and around Kinugawa Onsen
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Closed
- Admission
- English name
- Haccho-no-yu
- Original name
- Okukinu Onsen
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.