What to know
Shirahone Onsen (白骨温泉, literally "white bone hot spring") is a small hot spring town in the Northern Japan Alps. The town consists of about a dozen ryokan scattered along the slopes of a steep valley, near famous alpine spots like Kamikochi and Norikura. Its name comes from the milky white spring water, nearly opaque due to magnesium and calcium sediments, which is believed to help with gastrointestinal issues.
Shirahone Onsen has one public bath. Additionally, some ryokan open their baths to day-trippers for a few hundred yen. Among them is Awanoyu, known for its large mixed outdoor bath often featured in tourist promotions.
Below is a selection of hot spring baths open to day visitors:
Ratings: best of the best best of Japan outstanding
From Matsumoto, take the Matsumoto Electric Railway to Shin-Shimashima Station (30 minutes), then a bus to Sawando Bus Terminal (40 minutes), and another bus to Shirahone Onsen (20 minutes). The total trip takes 100–120 minutes and costs 2260 yen one way (or 2900 yen if using the Kamikochi Line bus between Shin-Shimashima and Sawando). There are only about four connections per day.
Shirahone Onsen is a few kilometers off National Route 158, connecting Matsumoto and Takayama. Alternatively, it can be accessed from Norikura Kogen via the Kamikochi Norikura Super Rindo, a former toll road now free to use.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 10:30 to 14:00 (entry until 13:30)
- Closed
- Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Admission
- 1000 yen (~$6.4)
- English name
- Awanoyu Ryokan
- Original name
- Shirahone Onsen
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.