Matsunoyama Onsen

This hot spring resort is nestled in the snowy mountains in winter. It is one of Japan's three great medicinal hot springs, along with Arima in Hyogo and Kusatsu in Gunma. The water is highly salty and stays hot for a long time. It also contains a lot of boric acid, which has disinfecting and cleansing properties, making it effective for burns, cuts, scrapes, and other skin conditions. People with sensitive skin may experience a stinging sensation at first, but once you get used to it, you'll start to feel the ingredients penetrating your skin.

This is a quiet, rural hot spring resort where you can soak in 12 million year old fossil seawater. It seems like a peaceful place where you can relax and recuperate. The salt water has excellent heat retention properties, so you won't get cold after bathing. The water has a unique, old-fashioned smell. This smell is sure to be irresistible for hot spring enthusiasts. The source spring water is extremely hot. The indoor bath at Takanoyu was so hot that it took a lot of courage to get in.

Although I didn't go to Takanoyu but to Nasu Debut, I still got to experience the atmosphere of a hot spring resort. Takanoyu is really just for soaking, and since it's close to the source, it's very strong. It's no wonder it's one of the three major medicinal baths. Nasu Debut is a hot spring you can enter empty-handed ♨ 700 yen during the day, 600 yen after 5pm, and 250 yen with a towel set. If you bring a towel, it's cheaper and there's also a rest area. You can relax here ♪

I came to Matsunoyama Onsen and discovered this bar. It was the perfect place to relax in the evening. The prices weren't too high, and there was a wide variety of food and drink available. Everything was delicious. The oven-baked pizza apparently changes flavor with the seasons, so I'll definitely try it next time. The owner's service was also very pleasant.

I visited in September 2024. Matsunoyama Onsen is one of Japan's three most famous medicinal hot springs! The smell of hot springs permeated the quaint townscape, and it was fun to stroll around. Next time I'd like to go and see the winter scenery.