The Local Onsen Guide

Check out some of the great local hot spring baths or onsen that are available close to Madarao.

Some Onsen Jargon

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Junkan-shiki (循環式): A bath where water is circulated and reused. Bleaching agents are often added to keep the bath water clean.
Kakenagashi (掛け流し): A bath constantly refilled by fresh spring water, never recycled. The bees knees  of onsen water!
Kashikiri-buro　(貸切風呂): A private bath that can be rented, usually only at hotels or ryokan inns.
Konyoku (混浴): A mixed bath for both men and women.
Notenburo, or Yatenburo　(野天風呂): An outdoor bath in a particularly remote or spectacular location.
Rotenburo　(露天風呂): An outdoor bath.
Sento　(銭湯): A bathing facility that uses heated tap water only.
Kounou (効能): The health effects of onsen water.
Hitou （秘湯): A secret, hidden onsen.

Our Favorite Local Hot Springs

Madarao-no-Yu

Address:  8156-649 Nagae, Nakano City, Nagano 
Cost: ¥450
Tel: 0269-38-3000
Web:  www.furusato-toyota.com/madaraonoyu

The Main Bath

The onsen bath water at Madarao-no-yu is a basic alkaline based water and is at quite a high altitude of 835 metres. It comes straight out of the ground at 32 degrees Celsius and is heated to a temperature of around 40 to 42 degrees. The water is rumored to have remedial qualities, including improving muscle pain, joint stiffness, bruises, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, hemorrhoids and fatigue. 

The Outdoor Bath and Food

Madarao-no-yu has a great little outdoor bath that looks straight out into the forest. The view particularly in autumn is fantastic.  After the bath they have a variety of local specialities available to eat in the restaurant including grilled trout and homemade soba noodles. 
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The Lake and Camp Accommodation

There is a beautiful lake and hiking beside the hot spring with cabin style accommodation that is open in green season only. Prices start at 6500 yen per person. There is also a camp ground that is 500 yen per person per night. Nearby attractions include Madarao Mountain Ski Resort. It is also the start of the Shinetsu Trail hiking route.

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Madarao Kogen Hotel

Address:  11492-321 Madarao Kogen, Iiyama City, Nagano 389-2257
Cost: ¥900
Tel: 0269-64-3311
Web:  www.madarao.jp/hotel/english/

The Bath

The hot spring at Madarao Kogen Hotel was opened in 1998. It draws natural hot spring water from 600 meters underground and the water boasts many unique qualities. This sodium-calcium chloride based spring is reported to be good for muscle aches, colds,  tiredness and for alleviating symptoms of many different medical ailments.

The Scenery

The Madarao Kogen Hotel is right on the ski resort in winter and on the campground in summer. It is close to the Shinetsu Trail hiking route as well. So it provides a beautiful place to visit after a strenuous day of play in the mountains. The views from the outdoor bath across to Mount Madarao are wonderful.

The Water

The water at the Madarao Kogen Hotel is really salty, almost like sea water. It is a highly alkaline hot spring with a pH level of 9.1. Generally, the more alkaline the spring is, the better it is for skin.   It is also helpful in alleviating symptoms of nerve pain, muscle pain, joint pain, stiff shoulders, cuts and burn injuries and chronic skin diseases,

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Momijiso Onsen

Address:  3460-1 kamiimai, Nakano City, Nagano 〒389-2102
Cost: ¥450
Tel: 0269-38-3030
Web: www.furusato-toyota.com/momizisou

The Location

Momijiso Onsen is only 15 minutes down the road from Madarao. It is nestled in a quiet little nook next to the ruins of an old castle. It has an outdoor and indoor bath, but the outdoor bath is only open in the green season.

The Water

The hot spring water comes out of the ground at a temperature of 32.3 ℃ but it is heated up to 42 ℃. It can be the hottest water in the area at times and really gets into the muscles after a day of skiing or hiking. It is said to be helpful for the following ailments: Stiffness of the joints,  bruises and digestive problems. 

The Views

The inner and door bath allows a wonderful view across the Chikuma River and up into Shiga Kogen. The outdoor bath is one of the best in the area and opens from May 1st to October 31st. Momijiso also as a great array of cheap meals including tempura, soba and ramen.

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Monaile Madarao

Address:  Madarao Kogen, Iiyama City  Nagano Prefecture,389-2253
Cost: ¥900
Tel: 0269-64-3141
Web: http://www.madarao.jp/hotel/monaile/

The Location

Monaile Madarao are ski in, ski out apartments right on the slopes of Madarao Mountain Resort. It is owned by the Madarao Kogen Hotel operators and has regular shuttle buses between the main hotel and Monaile.

The Bath

The bath is usually only open in peak times in summer and winter, but offers are quieter option than the bath at the Madarao Kogen Hotel. There is no outside bath, but the expansive indoor bath should do the trick when your body is aching after a long hike or a day skiing. 

The Accommodation

As well as having a great bath, Monaile Madarao has some great apartments available for people to stay. With private bathrooms and kitchenettes, the apartments offer a great option for families looking for a self-catered and more private stay in Madarao.

"There is a school of thought that half-seriously explains the very small number of psychiatrists in Japan as the result of the Japanese bath” 

- From Bonsai to Levis, George Fields