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The Power of Radium Onsen! Your Complete Guide to Gourmet, Sightseeing & Hot Springs in Niigata's Gozu Onsen-go
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Table of Contents
- What is "Gozu Onsen-go," Where You Can Bathe in Three Different Springs?
- 11 Best Gourmet, Sightseeing & Onsen Spots in Gozu Onsen-go
- Relaxing at Yumotokan: Your Perfect Travel Hub
- Access Guide
What is "Gozu Onsen-go," Where You Can Bathe in Three Different Springs?
Gozu Onsen-go that can be accessed from Tokyo in about three and a half hours by Shinkansen and rental car. In 2016, it was designated as the 93rd national hot spring resort in Japan.
Gozu Onsen-go is said to have been discovered by Kobo Daishi over 1,200 years ago, and the story is still passed down among locals today.
This is a rare hot spring area where three hot springs with slightly different components - Deyu, Imaita, and Murasugi - gush forth within an area with a radius of about 3 kilometers.
Each hot spring has its own bathing spot, making it perfect for hot spring hopping.
What these three hot springs have in common is that they are rare "radium hot springs," a general term for hot springs that contain a certain amount of radon in their water.
Radon emits minute amounts of radiation, which is expected to have many beneficial effects, including those related to neuralgia, gout, and gynecological disorders.
It has a history of being a popular hot spring resort, so we recommend staying for several nights to enjoy the benefits of the radium hot springs.
11 Best Gourmet, Sightseeing & Onsen Spots in Gozu Onsen-go
Gozu Onsen-go is full of tourist attractions, where you can enjoy the scenery of each season and find gourmet food that can only be found here.
We will introduce in detail the spots where you can enjoy sightseeing in Gozu Onsen-go while also enjoying interactions with the locals.
[Gourmet] Yamashimizu: Niigata's Seasonal Kamameshi
Yamahimizu is the perfect place for lunch, where you can enjoy freshly cooked kamameshi. They use koshihikari rice produced in Agano City and polish it in-house, so you can enjoy shiny rice at any time.
The most popular dish is the Gomoku Kamameshi, which is packed with ingredients such as shrimp, scallops, salmon, and shiitake mushrooms, and the flavor increases with each bite.
The secret to its popularity is the generous portion of the set, which includes miso soup, a small bowl of side dish, pickles, and fruit.
The limited-time "Duck Hot Pot Set Meal" is also a favorite with many fans. The duck hot pot, with its rich fat, will make you want to eat every last drop, even the soup, but please be patient. Finish off with some rice porridge or udon noodles, and enjoy every last bit of the ingredients.
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[Gourmet] Mori no Okashiya-san gland: Delicious Desserts You'll Crave Daily
"Mori no Okashiya-san gland" is located between Imaita Onsen and Murasugi Onsen. The shop is located at the foot of a Mizunara oak tree, where acorns grow, and so the name "Gland," which means acorn in French, is said to have been chosen for the shop.
We recommend the Gateau Chocolat, made by the owner, Mr. Kato, who loves chocolate, and the chiffon cake, which is easy to eat while strolling around.
The gateau chocolat is a masterpiece made with plenty of chocolate. Its rich and thick taste makes it the perfect treat when you want to pamper yourself.
The chiffon cakes are made with different batters and ingredients each day, so you can enjoy a different flavor whenever you visit. They also use plenty of seasonal fruits, such as Shine Muscat, Le Rectier, and Echigo Hime.
The fluffy and chewy texture of the chiffon cake in particular is so high quality that you'll never forget it once you've tried it! It's also easy to take home as a souvenir, so be sure to visit when you're craving sweet treats.
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[Gourmet] Deyu Onsen Bakery: Famous for Fluffy Bread Made with 100% Onsen Water
Deyu Onsen Bakery is famous for its bread made with Gozu hot spring water and plenty of local ingredients. It's a gourmet spot you should definitely check out when sightseeing around Deyu Onsen.
The water used to make the bread is 100% Deyu hot spring water. They also use locally produced natural yeast, which makes the bread incredibly chewy and fluffy!
Their best-selling item is their take-out bread, which is enthusiastically supported by both tourists and locals. To avoid selling out, try to come early.
Store Information
Address: 809-1 Deyu , Agano City, Niigata Prefecture
Business days and hours:
[Closed] Wednesdays and Thursdays [Business hours] 8:00-16:00 (9:00-16:00 on Fridays only)
Phone number: 0250-62-1566
Website: https://www.instagram.com/deyuuonsen_pancobo/
Access: 5 minutes on foot from Agano City Bus "Deyu Onsen" stop, 20 minutes by taxi from JR Uetsu Main Line "Mizuhara Station"
[Gourmet] Aichaku Coffee Deyu Onsen Cafe: A Sophisticated Coffee Time for Adults
Aichaku Coffee Deyu Onsen Cafe is located a three-minute walk from Deyu Onsen Bakery. Opened in 2018, the moment you step inside, you'll get the strange feeling that times have changed.
This is thanks to the antique furniture that the owner, Mr. Ishikawa, has collected over the years, and the relaxed atmosphere created by the old house that has stood the test of time in this area. This is a genuine coffee shop that you should visit when you want to take some time to reflect on yourself while traveling, or when you want to take a break after a bath.
The shop's top recommendation is their freshly brewed Aichaku Coffee, which is best enjoyed with homemade cakes and scones.
This restaurant welcomes travelers as a place for adults, and children under junior high school age are not allowed inside. This is a famous restaurant that maintains an atmosphere that can only be found here and quietly provides hospitality to its customers.
Store Information
Address: 738 Deyu , Agano City, Niigata Prefecture
Business days and hours:
[Closed] Wednesdays and Thursdays (also closed on public holidays)
[Business hours] (Weekdays) 8:00-16:00 (Last order 15:00) (Sundays and holidays) 8:00-15:00 (Last order 14:00)
Phone number: 0250-62-8686
Website: https://www.instagram.com/nenrinsha/
Access: 5 minutes on foot from Agano City Bus "Deyu Onsen" stop, 20 minutes by taxi from JR Uetsu Main Line "Mizuhara Station"
[Sightseeing] "Ikoi no Mori": Be a Guest in Nature's Home
Ikoi no Mori is a tourist spot where you can take a stroll through nearly untouched nature. A full loop takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and it is a place where locals usually walk their dogs and socialize, becoming a part of their daily lives.
You can enjoy plenty of nature, including the calm river, the sacred tree that is the master of the forest, and the lawn where you can enjoy forest bathing. You can enjoy a quiet and enriching time, feeling as if you are interfering with the natural ecosystem.
If you go to the office near the parking lot, you might even meet Suzu, the cat who lives in Ikoi Forest, and the chickens Sanpei and Luna. One of the joys of Ikoi Forest is being able to feed them, pet them, and interact with these gentle animals.
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[Sightseeing] Yamabiko Street: The Perfect Trail for an Active Walk
More than 250 stone monuments line the forest road that stretches from the hot spring entrance to the Murasugi entrance. These make up Yamabiko Street, the largest road for haiku, tanka, and senryu poetry in Japan.
Agano City has long been known for producing many writers and poets, such as Sato Nenpuku and Ishizuka Yuji. Yamabiko Street was created in order to provide a venue for haiku poets and tanka poets from within and outside Niigata Prefecture to present their work, inspired by Matsuo Basho's "Oku no Hosomichi."
Along the roughly 5-kilometer route, you'll find a collection of poems that will make you want to speak out loud, as well as tanka poems that will make you chuckle. Try fitting a visit into your sightseeing itinerary, whether that's taking a walk or admiring the majestic stone monuments from your car.
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[Sightseeing] "Urara no Mori" : Find Niigata Souvenirs & Enjoy a Hearty Lunch
If you're looking for souvenirs from Agano City and Gozu Onsen-go, head to Urara no Mori.
Urara no Mori, located at the entrance to Murasugi Onsen, is like a roadside station in the Gozu Onsen-go.
The store has a great selection of souvenirs, including locally picked vegetables that morning, sake, and snacks.
Additionally, Urara no Mori is also home to Yuizakura, a popular restaurant serving set meals. One of the most popular dishes is the hearty Sankakuage Set Meal. The large, freshly grilled deep-fried tofu is so delicious it goes perfectly with rice. We also recommend eating it with condiments.
Other popular dishes include fried pacific saury, which changes daily, and hearty dishes like tempura bowls and pork cutlets. A visit to Urara no Mori, beloved by locals, may make you fall in love with Agano City even more.
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[Sightseeing] Hyoko Suikin Park: Meet Swans and See Breathtaking Seasonal Nature
A 15-minute drive from the center of Gozu Onsen-go will take you to Hyoko Suikin Park, where you can enjoy the beautiful lake and nature throughout the year.
Every year between early October and early March, thousands of swans migrate from Siberia. On busy days, more than 5,000 birds can be seen flying in, creating a spectacular sight.
At the Lake Hyoko Swan Observation Facility on the lakeside, you can observe swans from a warm location. You can also see swans that have remained behind in Siberia even outside of the migration season.
If you want to see the swans, it's convenient to reserve the free "Lake Hyoko Bus," which is available exclusively to guests staying at inns in Gozu Onsen-go. The bus departs at 6:30 a.m. and will pick you up and drop you off even if you're just one person. It's only available for two months, from November to December.
Hyoko Suikin Park is also a spot where you can observe seasonal flowers, such as cherry blossoms and irises in the spring and lotus flowers in the summer. It is a recommended tourist destination for those who love traveling in contact with nature.
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[Onsen] Kaho-ji Public Bath: A Gentle, Simple Onsen Perfect for a Daily Dip
You can enjoy Deyu Onsen on a day trip at the Kahoji Public Baths. It is a rare spot in Japan where a hot spring facility is located on the temple grounds.
The hot spring water, which flows directly from the source, is clear, colorless, and odorless, making it perfect for a relaxing soak. Its greatest appeal is that it is smooth and doesn't feel like a hot spring.
Regulars who have been coming for decades all praise Deyu Onsen, saying things like, "It's easy to bathe in because it has no strong flavor," and "It's a hot spring I could bathe in every day."
The effects of Deyu Onsen can be felt after bathing. Even though the water is lukewarm, you won't stop sweating and you'll feel like your metabolism is being stimulated.
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[Onsen] Choseikan: Soak in One of the Prefecture's Largest Outdoor Baths
If you want to enjoy a relaxing day trip to a hot spring, we recommend Choseikan, where you can soak in Murasugi Onsen. Choseikan's hot springs include the "Large Garden Open-Air Bath," which boasts an area of 3300m2 for both men and women.
A long tunnel connects the indoor bath to the open-air bath, making the journey enjoyable.
Once you exit the tunnel, you will be greeted by a spectacular view of seasonal flowers and a spacious open-air bath. The scenery of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, from cherry blossoms and fresh greenery to autumn leaves and snow, will thoroughly relax your body and mind.
One way to enjoy Murasugi Onsen is to take a deep breath while soaking in the hot spring. Try inhaling the radium contained in the steam and absorbing the hot spring's beneficial effects.
After bathing, you can relax in the lobby lounge "Shiki." You can also freely use the "drinking spring water" to take in more hot spring water after your body has improved its metabolism in the hot spring.
This is a rare spot where you can enjoy the three things that are unique to Gozu Onsen-go: bathing, inhaling, and drinking.
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[Onsen] Yakushi-no-Yu: A Healing onsen Loved by Locals
Located about a minute's walk from Choseikan are Yakushi no Yu and Footbath, both of which offer bathing in Murasugi Onsen. These facilities are ideal for travelers who want to bathe empty-handed.
Purchase a bathing ticket from the ticket machine at the front desk, and after passing through the changing room, you will enter the hot spring. After washing your body in the shower, you can slowly get your body used to the hot spring by taking a half-body bath.
Murasugi Onsen, whose source temperature is only 25 degrees, is heated to an appropriate temperature according to the season. Because the temperature is adjusted to a comfortable bathing temperature, you can soak in the hot spring for a long time.
It's a great place not only for sightseeing, but also as a place to stop by after walking or mountain climbing.
There's also a foot bath behind Yakushi no Yu that anyone can enjoy. This unique foot bath offers jets, bubbles, and foot massages, and is visited by many people even on weekdays. Just donate 100 yen and relax in the bath to soothe your tired feet.
Yakushi no Yu is open from 7:00 to 20:30. Why not visit it as part of your hot spring itinerary in the Gozu Onsen-go?
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Relaxing at Yumotokan: Your Perfect Travel Hub
After touring the various hot springs and tourist spots, we took a break at Yumotokan, the base of our trip. Yumotokan boasts one of the largest numbers of guest rooms in the Gozu Onsen-go , and is an inn that will make you excited just by exploring the building.
The hotel is packed with attractions, including the young proprietress's hobby room "Mogura," a lounge with a panoramic view of the garden, and a shop stocking carefully selected souvenirs from Niigata.
Once you arrive at Yumotokan, the first thing to do is head to the famous hot springs.
Imaita Onsen, which can be enjoyed at Yumotokan, is a precious hot spring that can only be enjoyed here. The water is lukewarm at about 40 degrees, making it easy to bathe in, and it is a famous hot spring known for its "beauty skin water" and "fertility water."
When bathing in a hot spring, you can feel the benefits more effectively if you follow the order of pouring water over yourself, then half-body bathing, and then full-body bathing. After pouring water over yourself thoroughly, you can move on to half-body bathing.
The water warms your toes and waist gently, soothing your mind and bringing a smile to your face. Even when you soak up to your shoulders, the water is not too hot and feels just the right amount of comfortable.
It's tempting to stay in the light, refreshing water for a long time, but if your forehead or nose start to get sweaty, it's best to take a break. Switch to a half-body bath or wash your body, and enjoy a relaxing bath.
After bathing, do not take a shower, but simply wipe off the water droplets with a towel soaked in the hot spring water to prolong the medicinal effects.
After the bath, it's time for the long-awaited dinner. Yumoto's specialty, carp dishes, brightly decorate the table.
Enjoy a luxurious feast of carp dishes, including sashimi "arai," "sweetened carp," and "carp soup" simmered in miso. Carp dishes are said to have many benefits, including helping with love, improving breast milk after childbirth, and activating the brain.
Enjoy the bounty of Niigata food along with the local sake carefully selected by the young proprietress.
On the morning of your departure, you will be treated to a delicious meal that will touch your heart, including salad and boiled tofu from Kawakami Tofu, a popular local tofu shop, grilled trout salmon with Nishikyo seasoning, and miso soup made with homemade koji miso.
With unlimited refills of rice and miso soup, you'll find yourself eating heartily from the morning onwards.
Messages from the young owner and proprietress are scattered throughout the inn, and many guests are captivated by its homey and friendly atmosphere. This is a must-visit for those looking for a seasonal change of season, a hot spring cure, or an inn that they will want to return to again and again.
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Access Guide
The most convenient way to get to Gozu Onsen-go from Tokyo is by Shinkansen and rental car. Take the JR Joetsu from Tokyo Station for about two hours, then rent a car from Niigata Station.
It takes about an hour by car from Niigata Station to Gozu Onsen-go. By traveling by car, you can easily enjoy touring the three hot springs of Deyu, Imaita, and Murasugi.
For those who want to enjoy the scenery along the way, we also recommend traveling by bus or train. Take a bus or train from Niigata Station to JR Suwon Station, then take the Agano Municipal Bus from in front of Suwon Station for 30 minutes to reach Gozu Onsen-go.
Enjoy a free tour of the hot springs at Gozu Onsen-go, depending on your schedule, season, and travel style.
