Nagano Koumi Town
A free-flowing hot spring springing up in the highlands at an elevation of 1450m, and an exceptional open-air bath overlooking sparkling night scenery and a canopy of stars
"Gateaux Kingdom Koumi" is a natural hot spring spa attached to a full-scale resort hotel, operated directly by Chateraise, located in the Matsubara Lake Highlands of Koumi Town, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. The baths feature a luxurious free-flowing spring from a sodium bicarbonate hot spring. It boasts two types of bath areas, the "Wood Bath" and the "Stone Bath," which alternate between men and women on different days. From the open-air bath, you can look out over Asama, one of Shinshu's famed peaks, along with the greenery of vast nature during the day, and at night you can take in the night view of Saku Plains and, true to its name, a breathtaking canopy of stars. Authentic sauna facilities such as a bona sauna system provide a pleasantly sweat-inducing experience, while outdoor air bathing in the crisp highland air promises moments of bliss. The hospitality of being able to enjoy Chateraise's signature ice cream after bathing is also a very welcome touch.
A high-quality sodium bicarbonate hot spring that emulsifies and washes away unwanted dead skin cells, leaving the skin smooth and soft. With luxurious free-flowing spring water, you can enjoy the abundance of nature in every season from the indoor baths, and indulge in the large panoramic open-air bath, where you can take in the clear air of the Matsubara Lake Highlands, glittering night views, and a star-filled sky that feels close enough to be drawn in.
An authentic dry sauna with a bona sauna system, located in the bath area on the Stone Bath side. Heat and a moderate amount of moisture are efficiently released from beneath the seating, creating high-quality warm air that is not overly dry and is easy to breathe, wrapping the entire body from head to toe. It warms you thoroughly to the core and promotes exceptional sweating.
A mild, gentle medium-temperature dry sauna installed in the bath area on the Wood Bath side. Because the intensity of the heat is softly controlled, it is very suitable for those who do not like the intense heat of a typical sauna, or for those who want to warm up slowly and quietly over time.
A compact cold plunge bath located next to the bath area on the Stone Bath side. The water is set to a gentle, mildly cool temperature rather than being too cold, slowly easing post-sauna heat and helping you cool down smoothly. Using it together with the crisp cold water shower from the highlands is especially refreshing.
Open Year-Round
Nagano
A celebrated spot with drinkable North Alps groundwater and the nation’s top electric baths
Nagano
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
Nagano
A highland hot spring resort standing by Lake Shirakaba
JAPAN'S FINEST ONSEN & SAUNA
The Finest Onsen & Sauna in Japan
64 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.
