Nagano Ueda City
One of the prefecture's largest open-air baths and a wood-fired sauna, embraced by the forest at 975m above sea level
"Jizo Onsen Zippuku no Yu" is a day-use hot spring facility located at the summit of Jizo Pass in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, at an elevation of 975m. In the large open-air bath, one of the biggest in Nagano Prefecture, you can enjoy alkaline simple spring water surrounded by rich nature. The sauna area alternates daily between men and women, and features the double-flame sauna with two wood-burning stoves, as well as a hinoki sauna where you can enjoy natural-water self-löyly. The cold plunge bath uses mineral-rich alkaline natural groundwater, and you can experience superb outdoor air baths and forest bathing in the crisp air of nature.
An alkaline simple spring with a pH of 9.4. It can be enjoyed in a Japanese garden-style large open-air bath, one of the biggest in Nagano Prefecture, as well as in indoor baths filled with the scent of wood. The water has a soft texture and is known as a skin-beautifying bath that helps remove old dead skin cells. In the open-air bath, where giant stones such as agate and sanba stones are arranged, you can soak while gazing at seasonal natural scenery.
A sauna newly installed in the bath area that alternates daily between men and women, equipped with two wood-burning stoves. The gentle far-infrared radiant heat from the wood slowly warms you all the way to your core. The flicker of flames, the crackling of burning wood, and the fragrant aroma of timber stimulate all five senses, helping you forget the hustle and bustle of the city and sink into deep relaxation. Self-löyly is also available, so you can adjust the heat to your liking.
An outdoor standalone sauna in the other bath area that alternates daily between men and women, built with domestically produced hinoki cypress. You can enjoy self-löyly by pouring alkaline natural water drawn from underground on the property onto the sauna stones. When water is poured, the rich aroma of natural hinoki fills the room, creating a pleasant sweating experience that makes you want to take a deep breath in the midst of nature.
A cold plunge bath located in the open-air area just outside the sauna. It uses natural water from the Sanada Izumi no Mori spring, drawn from 150m underground on the property. The mineral-rich alkaline natural water is astonishingly smooth, with a gentle, skin-friendly feel. After the cold plunge, you can enjoy an exceptional outdoor air bath and forest bathing while surrounded by the clear air at 975m above sea level and the songs of wild birds.
Irregular Holidays
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A celebrated spot with drinkable North Alps groundwater and the nation’s top electric baths
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A premium Karuizawa resort where you can totonou in a natural hot spring with water flowing directly from the source and the forest’s spring water
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A highland hot spring resort standing by Lake Shirakaba
JAPAN'S FINEST ONSEN & SAUNA
The Finest Onsen & Sauna in Japan
61 SELECTIONS
Most of what we surveyed never even made it onto this site. This book is a further cut from what did. Our editor bathed in every onsen and sauna in it, and wrote only what they confirmed on the ground.
