Takaragawa Onsen
About This Destination
Four large mixed-gender rotenburo line the banks of the Takara River in a remote Gunma valley, and together they rank among the largest open-air baths in Japan. Big boulders sit along the river, and forest covers the slopes above. There are also separate baths for anyone who wants more privacy. The water is said to help with skin ailments.
Location
Prefecture: Gunma
Address: Minakami, Gunma, Japan
Nearest Station: Minakami Station
Opening hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–16:30
Closed: Open every day of the year.
Hours note: Day-use bathing is at the Takaragawa Sanso building: last entry 16:00, stays are limited to 4 hours, and arriving by about 15:00 is recommended.
Hours and fees checked against the official site on 13 October 2026.
Best time to visit: Autumn for riverside foliage at the large outdoor baths; snowy winter rotenburo are especially magical
Visitor Information
Payment: Unknown
Access
Gunma, Japan
Get DirectionsFrequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Takaragawa Onsen from Tokyo?
Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Jomo-Kogen and continue by bus to JR Minakami, which together take about 70 minutes plus the bus leg. From Minakami Station, a bus reaches Takaragawa Onsen in about 40 minutes for around 1,150 yen; staying guests can use a free shuttle.
What is Takaragawa Onsen known for?
It has some of Japan's largest riverside open-air baths, running along the Takara River with a combined area of about 470 tatami mats. Several of the baths are mixed bathing, with rental yugi bathing wear available. In winter the pools sit rimmed with snow.
What are the day-visit fees and hours at Takaragawa Onsen?
Day visits cost 1,500 yen, including the bathing wear the outdoor baths require, and run roughly from 10:00 to 16:00. Overnight stays are available at the Osenkaku ryokan. Winter is a good time to visit for the snow-rimmed baths, though access can be slower in heavy snow.
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