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Okukinu Onsen (‰œ‹S“{‰·ò) is a collection of four remote hot spring ryokan in the far back of a remote valley in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture. The ryokan offer some of the most atmospheric, rustic outdoor baths in the Kanto Region, worlds apart from bustling Tokyo and built-up Kinugawa Onsen.

Cars and buses can proceed into the valley only as far as the Meotobuchi parking lot at the entrance to the Okukinu area. From there, staying guests can arrange a pick-up by their ryokan, while non-staying visitors have to hike up the valley for about 90-120 minutes (one way) to reach the four ryokan (Kaniyu, Haccho-no-yu, Nikkozawa and Teshirosawa), which stand about 10-15 minutes apart from each other. The hiking trail may not be passable during winter.

Among the four ryokan, Kaniyu (‰Ám“’) and Haccho-no-yu (”ª’š‚Ì“’) are the most popular, each offering multiple indoor and outdoor baths with milky, sulfuric waters and views into the nature. The baths, some gender separated, some mixed, can also be entered by non-staying guests during daytime (9:00 to 15:00) and cost between 800-1000 yen per person and ryokan, while staying guests have the added pleasure of enjoying the local rustic cuisine, which traditionally includes hearty soups and deer and bear meat.

Getting there and around

Four buses per day (one bus about every three hours) run from Kinugawa Onsen Station as far as Meotobuchi (ѥvټ, 95 minutes, 1570 yen one way), from where staying guests get picked up by their ryokan by van, while non-staying visitors have hike up the valley for about 90-120 minutes (one way) to reach the baths. Travelers who access Okukinu by car can leave their car on the Meotobuchi parking lot, which is free of charge.

How to get to and around Kinugawa Onsen

Hotels around Kinugawa Onsen

Top rated in Kinugawa Onsen
Budget:
    • Asaya
      Luxury
      Boasting open-air natural spring baths that look out to the surrounding mountains, Asaya provides chic Japanese accommodation that displays flower arrangements throughout. A bus stop is located right in front of the property, and shuttle buses are available from Utsunomiya Train Station, an hour away, at an additional fee. Featuring a relaxing ambience, each room comes with a flat-screen TV, a telephone and a fridge. Asaya Hotelfs front desk is open 24 hours, and massages are available at an additional cost. Karaoke facilities and a gift shop are on site. Some of the hot spring baths can be reserved for private use for a fee. A tour to Edo Wonderland can be arranged upon request. The hotel is a 13-minute walk from Kinugawa Koen Train Station. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a 40-minute drive away, and Edo Wonderland Nikko theme park is a 10-minute drive from the property. A buffet is served at one of the on-site restaurants. The dinner buffet serves about 80 various dishes ranging from Chinese, Japanese and Western meals, while the breakfast buffet provides about 60 variations, mainly Japanese and Western dishes.
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    • Tsuganoki
      Mid-range
      Situated just 19 km from Tobu Nikko Station, Tsuganoki offers accommodation in Nikko with access to an open-air bath, a terrace, as well as free shuttle service. This 3-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The accommodation features a hot spring bath, free WiFi throughout the property and family rooms. All units in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. At the ryokan, every unit comes with a private bathroom with a bath. There is a coffee shop and lounge. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. A bicycle rental service is available at the ryokan. Nikko Station is 20 km from Tsuganoki, while Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 108 km from the accommodation.
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    • Sudomari Hotel Roman Tsutsuji
      Budget-friendly
      A 5-minute walk from Kinugawa Onsen Train Station, Sudomari Hotel Roman Tsutsuji features affordable Japanese-style rooms with a private bathroom, a microwave and a fridge. Itfs a 10-minute drive from amusement parks Edo Wonderland and Tobu World Square. Guests at Hotel Tsutsuji Sudomari can find activities nearby, such as rafting on a 5-minute walk, tennis in a 10-minute drive and golf within a 20-minute drive. At the front desk, discount tickets are available for hot springs and theme parks. Basic rooms feature a tatami (woven-straw) floor, a low table with seating cushions and traditional futon bedding. They are fitted with an LCD TV and a variety of amenities, including yukata robes, toiletries and complimentary green tea. The outdoor hot springs of Kinugawa Koen Iwaburo can be enjoyed a 5-minute drive away. Sudomari Hotel Roman Tsutsuji is a 30-minute drive from the Nikko Tosho-gu Shrin, the Nikko-zan Rin-noji Temple and Nikko Futarasan Shrine. No meals are served. The hotel is within a 5-minute walk from restaurants and shops. Also, free transfer service is available from some restaurants farther away.
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    • Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa
      Luxury
      Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa is located next to Kinugawa River, just a 6-minute drive from Kinugawa Onsen Train Station. It features various entertainment facilities like karaoke and table tennis. Free WiFi is available in the lobby. Offering mountain views, all rooms are fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding. In-room facilities include a flat-screen TV and a telephone. The private bathroom comes with a bathtub and a hairdryer. Guests staying at Kinugawa Sunshine Hotel can unwind in the public bathing area which has open-air baths and sauna. Massages can be requested at an additional charge. Drinks vending machines and a gift shop are also available on site. The hotel is situated just a 1-minute walk to Kinu-tateiwa Otsuribashi Bridge. Tobu World Square Amusement Park is a 4-minute drive away, while Edo Wonderland can be reached within a 10-minute drive.
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    • Monogusa no Yado Hanasenkyo
      Mid-range
      Situated in Nikko, 20 km from Nikk?-kokuritsu-k?en, Monogusa no Yado Hanasenkyo has a terrace. The property is set 24 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The property features a children's playground and a 24-hour front desk. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the ryokan. Dinner features Japanese-style cuisine with ingredients including pork. Monogusa no Yado Hanasenkyo offers a range of wellness facilities including a hot spring bath and a sauna. You can play table tennis at the accommodation. Kegon Falls is 40 km from Monogusa no Yado Hanasenkyo, while Rinno-ji Temple is 24 km from the property.
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    • Tabist Kinugawa Park Cottage
      Mid-range
      Offering views of Kinugawa Valley, Kinugawa Park Cottage provides adult only accommodation with free private parking. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Kinugawaonsen Station is a 5-minute walk. All units at the holiday home feature air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. A fridge and kettle are also featured. A private bathroom is provided. At Kinugawa Park Cottage guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 30 minutes by car, while Kegon Falls is a 60-minute drive.
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    • Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki
      Luxury
      Set in Nikko, 24 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Kinugawa Onsen Nikko Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki offers accommodation with a restaurant, private parking, a bar and a garden. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk, room service and free WiFi. The ryokan features family rooms. All guest rooms in the ryokan are equipped with a flat-screen TV. The units at Kinugawa Onsen Nikko Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki feature air conditioning and a wardrobe. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental or a buffet breakfast. The wellness area at Kinugawa Onsen Nikko Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki is comprised of a hot spring bath and a sauna. Kegon Falls is 40 km from the ryokan, while Rinno-ji Temple is 24 km away. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 114 km from Kinugawa Onsen Nikko Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki
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    • Hotel Manyotei
      Mid-range
      Featuring free WiFi and a hot spring bath, Hotel Manyotei offers accommodation in Nikko, 12 km from Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine. Free private parking is available on site. Every room is fitted with a flat-screen TV. Some rooms have a seating area for your convenience. Certain rooms feature views of the mountains or river. You will find a shared lounge and shops at the property. You can play table tennis at the hotel. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 12 km from Hotel Manyotei, while Nikk?-kokuritsu-k?en is 12 km from the property.
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    • Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Hotel Kinugawa Gyoen
      Mid-range
      20 km from Tobu Nikko Station in Nikko, Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Hotel Kinugawa Gyoen offers accommodation with access to a sauna, hot spring bath and public bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The ryokan features rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. The units at the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. A fridge and kettle are also available. All units have a private bathroom, slippers and bed linen. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the ryokan. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. You can play table tennis at Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Hotel Kinugawa Gyoen. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Nikko Station is 21 km from the accommodation, while Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 24 km from the property. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 107 km from Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Hotel Kinugawa Gyoen.
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    • Kinugawa Plaza Hotel
      Mid-range
      Overlooking the Kinugawa River and forested mountains, Plaza Hotel offers natural hot-spring baths beside canopies of green. Traditional Kaiseki dinners, a gGanbanyokuh hot-rock spa and a summertime outdoor pool are featured. Guests at Kinugawa Plaza Hotel sleep in traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. Each air-conditioned room has a zen decor, with seating areas beside the window and the LCD TV. An en suite bathroom is included. A 20-minute walk from Kinugawa-Onsen Train Station, the hotel is 3.5 km to Tobu World Square and 6 km to Edo Wonderland historical village theme park. Indoor & open-air baths as well as a hot-spring footbath are available, and some hot-spring baths can be reserved for private use. You can further relax in the sauna, enjoy billiards or ping-pong, or shout out some tunes at karaoke. Free-use internet PCs are provided. A Japanese/Western buffet breakfast is served, and dinner is multiple courses of seasonal specialities made with fresh local ingredients.
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