5 remote onsen in the depths of the Northern Alps
Oku-Hida Onsen Village consists of 5 remote hot springs: Hirayu, Fukuji, Shin-Hirayu, Tochio and Shin-Hotaka. The village boasts some of Japan’s foremost open-air baths and amounts of hot spring water. Hirayu Onsen is the village’s largest hot spring with a history to match. With more than 40 source springs, it gushes approximately 13000L of hot water per minute. Strolling through this lively village is also fun. Fukuji Onsen which has the feeling of the good old days is suggested for adults who enjoy the quiet and gentle aspects of the town. It was once visited by Emperor Murakami to convalesce so it has also been traditionally called the Imperial Spring. Shin-Hirayu Onsen has a variety of accommodations ranging from modern hotels to Japanese-style ryokan, Tochio Onsen is known for its simplicity with unassuming B&B-type minshuku, and Shin-Hotaka Onsen has that resort flavor at its location as the gateway for Mt. Yarigatake and Mt. Hotaka. The charm of Oku-Hida Onsen Village is this variety of individuality among its onsen. Touring through some of these areas is recommended.
Enjoy the silvery scenic beauty within the snowy country during the harsh winter
To enjoy the natural beauty throughout the four seasons is an attraction of a mountain village onsen, but the true charm for Oku-Hida lies during the winter. During the severe winter between late December and the end of February, you can enjoy baths with that snowy view among the 5 hot springs. You can totally feel the charm of an Oku-Hida winter. There is also illumination at Shin-Hirayu Onsen’s Taruma Falls which is also known as a matchmaking place and Hirayu Onsen’s Hirayu Ohtaki Falls with its mammoth icicles. The interweaving of Oku-Hida’s bitter cold and Mother Nature makes for incredible magic scenery. At Shin-Hotaka Onsen, the Nakao Kamakura Festival is held. There are various sizes of kamakura snow houses in which even adults can enter, and they are popular for enjoying sake around the hearth inside. Also, you can enjoy events such as the illumination and the snow statue contest at Tochio Onsen. For schedules and details, please check the official website.