Tochigi Nikko City
Immerse yourself in blissful onsen at a villa in the valley infused with John Kanaya’s aesthetic
Kinugawa Kanaya Hotel is one of Japan’s premier luxury onsen hotels, located in Kinugawa Onsen, Nikkō City, Tochigi Prefecture, where the founder John Kanaya’s aesthetic and spirit of hospitality come together. With a breathtaking view of the Kinugawa Gorge right in front of you, it truly deserves to be called a "villa in the valley." The large bath draws from a gentle alkaline simple spring that is kind to the skin, and offers two distinct bathing spaces in alternating男女 use: Kodaibayashi no Yu, made with ancient cypress trees said to be about 2,000 years old, and the modern Shiki no Yu.
An elegant open-air bath connected to the large bath, Kodaibayashi no Yu, and lavishly finished with white granite. It draws the historic hot spring of Kinugawa Onsen, an alkaline simple spring, and lets you enjoy a colorless, clear, tasteless, and odorless beauty bath that is exceptionally gentle on the skin. Surrounded by the quiet garden’s natural beauty, you can relax deeply in both body and mind while listening to the murmuring river and the scent of wood.
The large bath Shiki no Yu faces the gorge and is defined by its modern, open design. You can enjoy the onsen in a spacious indoor bath made with marble, as well as two open-air baths boldly crafted from single slabs of white granite. As you gaze out at the overwhelming natural beauty of the Kinugawa Gorge directly before you, spending time in the soft waters of this smooth alkaline simple spring is truly a blissful moment.
A luxurious European Paulownia Sauna adjoining the fragrant large bath made with ancient cypress said to be about 2,000 years old. The warmth of the wood and the soft texture unique to paulownia are pleasant, while the mild heat fills the room with a comfortable warmth that does not feel overly stifling. From the sauna room window, you can look out onto a beautifully maintained courtyard and enjoy an exceptional relaxation experience in meditative silence.
A steam-style low-temperature sauna called Thermarium, available in the modern and open Shiki no Yu. Gentle warm fine mist and the scent of herbs spread through the room, slowly warming the body from within and bringing a deep sense of relaxation. Even those who do not like hot dry saunas can breathe easily, work up a pleasant sweat, and let their skin absorb plenty of moisture.
Irregular Holidays
52 Extraordinary Destinations
A curator who has visited over 300 facilities nationwide handpicks 52 exceptional ones they wholeheartedly recommend. The only guidebook that deeply explores the allure of onsen and sauna—plus culture and etiquette.
