Katayamazu Onsen (•ÐŽR’É·�ò) is a built up hot spring town along the shores of the Shibayamagata Lagoon, and one of the four resort towns that make up Kaga Onsen. Many of the town's large ryokan and hotels feature baths with attractive views onto the lagoon and Mount Hakusan in the distance.

The Shibayamagata Lagoon is said to naturally change colors seven times per day. A fountain at its center shoots water up to 70 meters high for a few minutes every hour. A small shrine dedicated to Benten, the goddess of good fortune, wealth, music and knowledge, stands on a pier out over the water. The shrine is illuminated in the evenings together with the fountain.

Another site of interest unrelated to bathing is the Museum of Snow and Ice. This museum displays the photographs and equipment of local scientist Nakaya Ukichiro who devoted his life to the study of snow crystals in Hokkaido and around the world. The museum also provides visitors with interesting hands-on activities involving supercooled water and ice.

The following is a list of some of Katayamazu's baths that are open to day trip visitors:

Soyu (Public Bath)

Hours: 6:00 to 22:00
Closed: Infrequent, irregular closures (cafe closed on Thursdays)
Admission: 490 yen

Katayamazu Onsen's public bath moved into this modern, lakeside building built by renowned architect Taniguchi Yoshio in 2012. Its two baths, one looking onto the lake and one looking onto trees, are switched between the genders on a daily basis.

Kasuikyo

Daytime Hours: 12:00 to 22:00
Daytime Admission: 1300 yen (including towels)
Overnight Stay: From 15,500 yen per person including 2 meals

The northernmost of the large hotels in Katayamazu Onsen, Kasuikyo is housed in a massive concrete building with a unique interior design. Its beautiful baths are gender segregated and feature a large indoor pool and smaller wooden outdoor baths with excellent views over the lagoon and Mount Hakusan in the distance.

New Maruya Hotel

Daytime Hours: 9:00 to 23:00 (except for a few hours around noon)
Daytime Admission: 500 yen
Overnight Stay: From 11,500 yen per person including 2 meals

The New Maruya Hotel in central Katayamazu Onsen features a large indoor tub for each gender with views over the lagoon. It also has attractive baths that have massaging waterfalls, but are mostly shielded from view of the lagoon.

Oedo Onsen Monogatari Nagayama

Daytime Hours: 12:00 to 24:00
Daytime Admission: 1020 yen
Overnight Stay: From 11,500 yen per person including 2 meals

Oedo Onsen Monogatari is hot spring ryokan group with a number of branches all across Japan with inexpensive overnight plans. This ryokan's hot spring baths offer excellent views of the lagoon from practically next to the water.

Ratings:    best of the best    best of Japan    outstanding