Niigata Tokamachi City
A mountain hot spring inn where you can relax in a spectacular open-air bath overlooking a sea of clouds and a bona sauna
"Matsudai Shibatoge Onsen Unkai" is an overnight-stay and day-use hot spring facility in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. Located on a hill 400 meters above sea level, its open-air bath offers a breathtaking view of a dreamlike sea of clouds spreading across the mountain ridges, perfectly matching the name Unkai no Yu. The sauna features a built-in heater bona sauna, with a gentle, comfortable setting that softly spreads heat throughout the room. After getting thoroughly warmed, you can cool down briskly in the cold plunge bath kept at a moderate temperature, then refresh both body and mind with outdoor air bathing amid spectacular scenery. Together with dishes made from seasonal ingredients, you can spend a luxurious time enveloped in Japan's original landscape.
A high-quality hot spring with sodium-calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate spring water. From the open-air bath, Unkai no Yu, you can enjoy an overwhelming view of the sea of clouds spreading below, beautiful terraced rice fields, and distant mountain ranges such as Mt. Naeba. It is known for its high heat-retention effect, keeping you pleasantly warm even after getting out of the bath.
A bona sauna with a built-in heater that features gentle heat evenly distributed throughout the room. In a space maintained at moderate humidity, you can work up a deep sweat at a relaxed pace. The calm atmosphere, with the warmth of wood, lets you quietly focus on yourself.
A cold plunge bath of moderate size located in the indoor bathing area. It gently envelops your body after sauna use, allowing you to cool down comfortably. The water feels pleasant on the skin, and even beginners will find the temperature easy to enter. You can enjoy a refreshing moment in a clean, comfortable space.
[Day-use bathing hours] 10:00-20:00
Niigata
A snow-country inn featuring a self-löyly sauna and guest rooms with Shigaraki ware semi-open-air baths
Niigata
An observation large bath overlooking Mt. Myoko and a natural hot spring drawn from Seki Onsen
Niigata
Spectacular infinity open-air baths at 1,000m above sea level and a renowned free-flowing natural hot spring
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.
