Hot Springs

The Keiunkan hot spring hotel was in 2011 recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest hotel. Established more than 1,300 years ago, it has soothed the minds and bodies of generations of visitors, including warlords, men of letters, and others with a taste for refinement.

The town of Shimobe has for more than a millennium been known for the therapeutic properties of its hot spring water. Along with the physical and mental reset promoted by its waters, the town offers an escape from today’s always-on digital world.

Isawa Onsen Street brings together, in one scenic location encircled by mountains, two great Japanese pleasures: hot-spring bathing and cherry-blossom viewing. Visitors will delight in the mental and physical reset that the combined experience can bring about.

Kofu’s Yumura Onsen is famous for the sheer number of different hot-spring resorts located on and around Onsen Alley, a narrow, winding street at the foot of Mount Yumura. Some are full-service hot-spring hotels, while others are more casual Japanese-style inns.

The Masutomi Hot Spring Resort area has a history dating back to the time of Takeda Shingen, the warlord who ruled Kai Province (present-day Yamanashi) from 1540 to 1573. According to legend, miners digging for gold in the area discovered an underground hot spring and noticed that the water helped heal their wounds and cure their illnesses.

Located at the foot of Mount Daibosatsu, this hot-spring spa has a stunning view of the surrounding forest. On a clear day, it is possible to see all the way to the Southern Alps.

Sitting 1,000 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains and close to a mountain stream, the Yamato Tenmokusan spa overlooks a gorge. Its natural hot-spring water is drawn from the surrounding mountains and has a silky smooth texture.

Mitama no Yu is a very special kind of hot-spring bathhouse. In addition to 100-percent natural baths and one of Japan’s “100 best night views,” additional facilities enable Mitama no Yu to offer all-round restoration of the mind, body, and soul.

Surrounded by lush forests and craggy mountains, the village of Tabayama is also blessed with fantastic hot spring waters. The bright and modern Nomekoi-yu bathhouse is a relatively recent addition to the townscape.