Shimosuwa Onsen Tanga no Yu

Visited Tanga no Yu on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 8:30 PM. This public hot spring bath is located right next to Suwa Taisha's Shimosha Akimiya Shrine. The waters here are quite hot. While the nearby Shimo-Suwa Onsen area is home to many high-temperature hot springs, this one seemed especially hot. Researching its history reveals that the hot springs date back to the Kamakura period, and are said to have originated as the bathhouse of the Tanga Ryo, a lodging for monks at Jionji Temple. Originally a simple bathhouse built in a traditional Japanese townhouse located where the current parking lot is, it was completely renovated in 2012 and relocated to its current location, creating a modern and beautiful hot spring. Currently, the bathhouse is open from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM (tickets close at 9:30 PM). Adult admission is 300 yen (cash payment required). Shoes can be stored in a shoebox or shoe rack (returnable for 100 yen), and changing clothes can be stored in a locker or basket (additional 100 yen fee). Amenities such as body soap and shampoo are not provided but are only for sale, and hair dryers are available for 10 yen for 2 minutes, with two Panasonic Ionity baths available. Other amenities include A&N bathroom scales. The bath area has four indoor mixer taps and two indoor baths (one hot at 47°C and one slightly hotter at 45°C), one outdoor open-air bath (42°C), and two chairs in the open-air bathing area. I personally prefer hotter baths, but this indoor bath was hotter than the "Awaseyu" bath at Kusatsu Onsen's famous Otaki-no-Yu. It was so hot that I only dipped my knees in for a moment and then immediately left. There are apparently massage sticks available to cool the water down. The open-air bath had just the right temperature, so I was able to relax in the open-air bath for a while. According to the analysis report from 2019, the source is a mixture of Tanga No. 1 and No. 2 springs, with a temperature of 56.8°C, pH 8.69, and dissolved substances of 1078mg. The water quality is a hypotonic, alkaline, high-temperature sodium-calcium-sulfate-chloride spring, also known as a chloride-earth-containing, Glauber's salt spring. The sensation is almost colorless and transparent, with no bitter, salty, or odorous taste. It's not very thick, but smooth and dries smoothly without stickiness, making it a "hot spring for fever and wounds." It seems that the bath is mostly frequented by locals, with a fast turnover and the impression that many people use the bath in a short period of time. The receptionist's hospitality is also friendly and soothing.

This was one of the public baths in Shimo-Suwa Onsen that I had been interested in. I decided to park in the parking lot at Yusen House Koyu and walk there, since it wasn't too far from Tanga no Yu. When I checked in, I was given an explanation about the temperature of Tanga no Yu. The indoor baths are either "slightly hot" or "hot," with "slightly hot" set at 44 degrees and "hot" at 46 degrees. The open-air bath is set at 42 degrees, so I was advised that it would be less stressful on the body to start from the open-air bath. As instructed by the receptionist, I first soaked in the open-air bath. This was our standard, so it was fine. After taking a break, I tried the "slightly hot" bath, which felt quite hot. After taking a break, I tried the "hot" bath at 46 degrees, but it was so hot that I couldn't get in even up to my knees. I remember a time when I was having trouble soaking in the public bath at Kusatsu Onsen because it was so hot, and I asked someone who was soaking how to get in, and they said, "I guess it's just patience and determination?", and I thought it was just a matter of experience. I don't think it solved anything, though...

There is parking for about seven cars at Tanga no Yu. There is also a gravel shared parking lot at the top of the hill. As you enter, there are lockers to the left with a 100 yen return. They are about the size of a shoe closet, so small bags are fine. Bathing costs 300 yen. The lockers in the changing room are large and cost 100 yen. The hottest indoor bath is 47°C, and I simply couldn't get in. My feet turned bright red. The slightly hotter one is 44°C, and I could only last about a minute. The open-air bath is big enough for 3 or 4 people. It was about 42°C. The only open-air bath I could properly bathe in was the one with an abundant amount of water, tasteless and odorless, and the outside temperature was around 9°C, so it was very pleasant after a bath.

I visited here after visiting Suwa Taisha Shrine. I was very satisfied! It's a beautiful facility. When I was there, it seemed like there were always two or three locals there. The indoor baths are set at 44 and 47 degrees, and the open-air bath is set at around 42 degrees. I can handle hot water relatively well, so I stayed in the 44-degree bath, but even so, I couldn't stay for long. When I put my hands and feet out, the heat seemed to ease. All the locals were in the open-air bath, chatting happily. So the open-air bath was just right, but it might get crowded with locals. (Women's bath) The water was very nice. 🎶 If you're concerned about valuables, I recommend storing them in the small locker on the left as you enter.

There are three baths, each with a 42-degree open-air bath, a 45-degree indoor bath, and a 47-degree indoor bath. Shampoo and body soap are not provided (I brought my own, but they are available for purchase). The Koyu parking lot is spacious, so it's a good idea to park there. After warming up from the open-air bath, I also took a dip in the 47-degree bath. It was lovely and warm.