Kaniyu, Okukinu Onsenkyo, Tochigi Pref.

Daiichi Rotenburo, or the first open-air bath exclusively for ladies at Kaniyu. (photo: Nov. 2009)

I went hiking last Sunday to Okukinu Onsenkyo (奥鬼怒温泉郷） in Tochigi Prefecture. There are four onsens at Okukinu Onsenkyo; NIkkosawa, Teshirozawa, Hacchonoyu and Kaniyu. All of them but Teshirozawa accept day visit soaking and I visited all three. Kaniyu (加仁湯) is the biggest among them.

There are one rotenburo for ladies, many mixed gender rotenburos, gender separated indoor baths, and some private baths for overnight staying guests. They have five fountainheads.



Ladies are allowed to rap their bodies with bath towels (Usually, soaking towels into bath tub is strictly prohibited at most onsens), so it's easier for ladies to try mixed baths here.


The stone made "Harahara buro" is small mixed bath on riverside with transparent hot spring. There are gender separated changing rooms, and Daini Rotenburo or the second open-air bath is filled with blue-white sulfur hot springs.

◆Kaniyu, Okukinu Onsenkyo （奥鬼怒温泉郷　加仁湯）

Type: Ryokan (accepts day visit soaking)

Address: 871 Kawamata Nikko-shi, Tochigi Pref.

Location: 36.86851,139.39462

Day visit business hour: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Holiday: None

Admission fee: ¥500 for a day visit, at least ¥10,000 per person for overnight stay with dinner and breakfast.

Equipment: Washing facilities at gender separated indoor baths. Lunch available for day visitors.

Access: Take a bus from Kinugawa Onsen Station to Meotobuchi Onsen (four times a day, taking an hour and half), then walk about an hour and 20 minutes. The hiking route is well marked, but you'll need walking shoes. If you stay overnight, you can expect free shuttle service with advance booking.

Link: Official website of Kaniyu (in Japanese only)

My rating (out of five):　5


Daisan rotenburo or the third open-air bath with gender separated changing rooms.