Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku

The only ryokan at the secluded hot spring of Takaragawa Onsen, located at the very upper reaches of the Tone River. A legend says that when Yamato Takeru no Mikoto fell ill in the mountains, he spotted a white hawk taking off far below; when he went to that spot, a hot spring was bubbling up.

Enjoy 100% natural hot spring water, free-flowing from the source, with a flow rate of over 1,800 liters per minute. Its four spacious open-air baths—spanning a total of Approx. 470 tatami mats—are also known as “Japan’s best open-air baths.” The Approx. 120-tatami “Maka no Yu” and Approx. 200-tatami “Kodan no Yu” are mixed-gender baths where you enter wearing a yukami (bathing cloth), so the whole family can bathe together.

The property consists of three buildings—the Main Building, East Building, and Daiichi Annex—each offering relaxing guest rooms with tatami flooring. You’ll also want to take your time with the cuisine, featuring plenty of local flavors such as mountain vegetables, mushrooms, and river fish.

There’s also an attached day-use facility, “Takaragawa Sanso,” so you can easily enjoy these rustic hot springs. Light meals are available too.