Planning to visit Saitama in Japan to see the Bonsai Village or the “Koedo” area of Kawagoe, or even the Chichibu area? Visiting a hot spring while you’re there is also something that shouldn't be missed! Below are the best 5 to visit.
1. Chichibu Hot Springs “Mangan No Yu”
(Credit: https://www.chichibu-omotenashi.com/en/spa.html)
You can see the beauty of the four seasons, the valley of Nagatoro river, and the waterfall from the outdoor bath. The hot springs is of a high alkaline quality, very rare in Japan.
| Address | 4000 Shimohinozawa, Ooaza, Minanomachi, Chichibu-shi, Saitama |
| Directions | From Minano Station (Chichibu Tetsudo line) take a taxi or the Minano Choei Bus bound for Hinozawa (15 min.) and get off at Chichibu Onsen Mangan No Yu |
| Fees | 1,000 yen (adults) 500 yen (children) |
| Website | www.chichibuonsen.co.jp (Japanese only) |
2. Michino Eki Ootaki Hot Springs (Onsen) “Yuyukan”
This is a place you can relax and enjoy the view of the mountain greenery and river. The alkaline bath is a well known hot springs for beauty. You can also enjoy the view from the Japanese restaurant.
| Address | 4277-2 Ootaki, Chichibu-shi, Saitama |
| Directions | From Mitsumine Station (Chichibu Tetsudo line) take the Seibu Kanko Bus or from Seibu Chichibu Station (Seibu Tetsudo line) take the Seibu Kyuko Bus to Ootaki Onsen Yuyukan-Mae Bus stop |
| Fees | 700 yen (adults) 400 yen (children) |
| Website | http://www.ootakionsen.co.jp/onsen/index.html (Japanese only) |
3. “Chiisana Tabi” Kawagoe Hot Springs
This is a hot springs spa with 9 types of baths and 3 saunas. The baths are of varying temperatures so people of all ages can enjoy the hot springs. There’s also a resting area and a restaurant.
| Address | 41-7 Kaminodamachi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama |
| Directions | From Kawagoe Station West Exit or Hon-Kawagoe Station take the Seibu Bus headed for Kasumino, and get off at Nodamachi bus stop. It takes 10 min. from the former and 20 min. from the latter. |
| Fees | 800 yen (adults) 400 yen (children) |
| Website | http://www.kawagoe-onsen.com/ (Japanese only) |
4. Saitama Seiganji Hot Springs (Onsen)
The hot springs is pumped up from 1500m underground. You can enjoy the view of the bamboo forest from the outdoor bath.
| Address | 684-3 Ooaza, Seiganji, Nishi-ku, Saitama |
| Directions | A 18 min. walk from the North Exit of Nishi-Omiya Station (JR Kawagoe line) |
| Fees | 800 yen (adults) 400 yen (children) |
| Website | https://www.seiganji-onsen.com (Japanese only) |
5. Akaya Hot Springs “Kojika-so”
If you stay at this Japanese inn, you can enjoy both the hot springs and the traditional Japanese cuisine. You can also visit this “ryokan” to enjoy just the bath, but the hours are limited from 11am to 3 pm.
| Address | 243 Sanyama, Oganomachi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama |
| Directions | 30 - 40 min. by bus or taxi from Chichibu Station or Seibu Chichibu station. |
| Fees | 600 yen |
| Website | http://www.ojikasou.co.jp/onsen/index.html (Japanese only) |