Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku
379-1721 Gunma, Minakami, Fujiwara 1899, Japan – Excellent location – show map
Excellent location – rated 9.0/10! (score from 208 reviews)
Real guests • Real stays • Real opinions
absolutely beautiful! snowfall the whole time with great views of the river. staff was incredibly friendly throughout the stay. The outdoor onsen baths were so peaceful during snowfall. breakfast and dinner was amazing, even though half of the stuff I had no clue what I was eating. it was a long journey into the mountains getting there, very secluded. would highly recommend!
United States of AmericaExceptional onsen, very clean rooms and very good staff, would repeat without doubts
SpainThe best thing is outdoor onsen and the scenery around the hotel. The hotel staffs are nice and very helpful. Easy to take the hotel shuttle bus from Jomokogen station. The other facilities are average, like a standard Ryokan in Japan. A bit disappointment for the indoor onsen.
ThailandThe staff was extremely helpful and informative; if anyone had difficulty with English, another staff member would step in to assist. They were fast to respond on the booking app if I had any questions and were accommodating to changes in my stay. All in all, their staff is top-notch. The meals were delicious and well prepared, with each course explained and had a beautiful presentation. The room was spacious and had a gorgeous view of the river, which was exceptional since it was snowing during our stay. It was nice to sit and watch the snow fall while drinking tea. All of the bath options were amazing; the indoor option was great for quick and quiet bathing and had lovely statues and rock formations. The outdoor baths were a trek, especially in the cold, but the location was beautiful and worth the trip.
United States of Americastaff is very nice and welling to help you for everything.
ThailandThe setting of the property is amazing - the outdoor onsen being right next to the river. The buildings are old and could use some upgrading, but they were kept clean. Dinner and breakfast were delicious and plentiful. The staff were friendly and welcoming. The inside onsen was nice and hot.
United States of AmericaThis was great value for money and one of the better onsen experiences we had. The food and service was really good, the rooms basic but comfortable.
BelgiumOne of the best onsen experiences I’ve had. The sceneries were so breathtaking. It was truly an unforgettable stay.
PhilippinesWe drove from Tokyo to Takaragawa. Easy drive and was pleased that it was not snowing hard as we only have snow tires. You will need chains if the snow is very heavy. Location was breath taking and the beauty of the Onsen was amazing, perched along the river. Check in was smooth and there was a English speaking staff to check us in. Dinner and breakfast was amazing and was please that they asked for food restrictions when making a booking as my daughter does not eat seafood and they provide her options. It was a Ryokan style accommodations. Would have preferred an extra pillow. I guess we could have asked for one. But over all experience just amazing. It is a beautiful Onsen surrounded by nature. We were there when snow was falling so it made the experience even more magical.
SingaporeSuperb view and unique onsen next to the river. Mixed gender outdoor bath. Building is old give you felling ryukan style
Thailand
- What guests loved the most:
-
Jonathan
United States of America
-
Chinorris
Spain
-
Krittachat
Thailand
-
Taylor
United States of America
-
Phongpeera
Thailand
-
Y
United States of America
-
Filip
Belgium
-
Johann
Philippines
-
Sharona
Singapore
-
Jackvisa
Thailand
Categories:
Boasting hot spring baths in a spectacular outdoor setting by Takaragawa River, Japanese-style hotel Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku is a 10-minute drive from Hodaigi Ski Resort. It offers free Wi-Fi at the lobby and a free station transfer.
Rooms feature a serene Japanese interior with a tatami (woven-straw) floor, a TV and shoji sliding screens, which open to a relaxing seating area. Guests sleep in comfortable futon bedding, while amenities include yukata robes, a washstand and an attached toilet. Bathroom facilities are shared.
Guests can relax in an indoor or outdoor public hot spring bath, unwind with a massage or browse the souvenir shop. Hotel Osenkaku Takaragawa provides a free shuttle once a day to/from Jomo-Kogen Station, a 50-minute drive away, and JR Minakami Station, a 35-minute drive away.
A Japanese or Western breakfast is served in the dining room every morning. A kaiseki multi-course dinner or a Japanese and Western buffet dinner is served.
The hotel is a 10-minute drive from Hodaigi Ski Resort and Minakami Kogen Fujiwara Ski Resort. Okutone Snow Park is a 25-minute drive and Sudagai Dam is a 15-minute drive away.
This property is a ryokan, which is a type of traditional Japanese Inn. Learn more
-
- What's a ryokan?
- A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. They usually feature bathhouses, multicourse dinners, communal spaces where guests can relax, and rooms with woven-straw flooring and futon mats. Like hotels, a range of ryokans (from budget to luxury) is available. What originated centuries ago as a free rest house for long-distance travelers has evolved into a popular destination for relaxation surrounded by therapeutic mineral springs.
-
- What are the big differences between a ryokan and a hotel?
- Unlike a hotel, where the guest room is just a place to turn in for the night, a ryokan is more than just a place to sleep. In Japan, many travelers journey long distances to relax in a hot spring bath and feast on a traditional multicourse dinner – staying in a ryokan is an experience in and of itself. These ryokans typically have Japanese-style rooms with woven-straw floors and futon beds (no Western beds and carpeting). You should also remove your shoes at the entrance of the room, or before you enter it. Modern ryokans might serve buffet-style meals in a dining area, while more traditional ryokans tend to serve in-room dinners. Some ryokan rooms have a private bathroom, and others might just have a shared bathroom.
-
- What's a kaiseki meal?
- Kaiseki is the culinary highlight at a ryokan, embodying beautifully presented dishes that delight both the palate and the eyes. Every one of the 10 to 15 dishes that make up the multicourse Japanese dinner is prepared in a way that highlights the unique textures, colors, and flavors of featured seasonal ingredients and local specialties. Most commonly served at special restaurants and ryokans, a traditional kaiseki dinner usually consists of bite-size appetizers, fresh sashimi (raw fish, like sushi), soup, grilled fish or meat, a hot-pot dish, rice with miso soup, and a small dessert.
-
- What's a yukata?
- A yukata is a casual summer kimono or robe, typically made of light cotton. Many ryokans provide guests with yukata robes during their stay. In some areas, it's common to see guests strolling through the neighborhood in their yukatas. The loose-fitting garment is perfect for sleeping and relaxing in.
-
- How should I wear a yukata?
- First, put your arms through the sleeves like you would with a robe. Take the right side of the yukata and wrap it across your body. Then, take the left side and wrap it over the right, making sure that the robe is level at your ankles. Pinning the yukata closed on the right side, wrap the sash around your waist a couple of times and then tie a bow. Generally, the bow is tied around the waist for women, and the hips for men.
-
- What's a Japanese hot spring (onsen)?
- Onsen (literally "hot spring") is a term often used to refer to both the mineral-rich hot springs and the bathing facilities that house them. Whether the bath is public or private, gender-segregated or mixed, indoor or outdoor, soaking and unwinding in the soothing geothermal waters at an onsen is a millennia-old custom deeply embedded in Japanese culture.
-
- What's standard bathing etiquette?
- At a bathhouse—onsen or not—guests are expected to remove all clothing in their respective changing rooms before entering the bathing area. As a common courtesy, once inside the bathing area, guests should wash and rinse their bodies thoroughly before quietly stepping into the hot water. Whether you relax in solitude or converse softly with others is up to you, but guests should always be mindful of others. Wash towels are often used to cover one’s private areas while walking around. However, note that you should not put towels in the water.
-
- Why are tattoos not allowed?
- While tattoos have become more popular among Japan's youth, many Japanese people still associate them with outlaws and organized crime. Nowadays, not all businesses ban customers with tattoos, but you might still be refused admission to bathhouses and swimming pools. Small tattoos can be covered up using waterproof bandaids, but keep in mind that each property has the final say on what’s acceptable.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.3 for a two-person trip.
Property Highlights
Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.0)
Free Private Parking Available On Site
Open-air bath, Public Bath, Hot spring bath
Availability
Select dates to see this property's availability and prices
Select topics to read reviews:
See what guests loved the most:
Jonathan
United States of America“absolutely beautiful! snowfall the whole time with great views of the river. staff was incredibly friendly throughout the stay. The outdoor onsen baths were so peaceful during snowfall. breakfast and dinner was amazing, even though half of the...”- Chinorris
Spain“Exceptional onsen, very clean rooms and very good staff, would repeat without doubts” 
Krittachat
Thailand“The best thing is outdoor onsen and the scenery around the hotel. The hotel staffs are nice and very helpful. Easy to take the hotel shuttle bus from Jomokogen station. The other facilities are average, like a standard Ryokan in Japan. A bit...”- TaylorUnited States of America“The staff was extremely helpful and informative; if anyone had difficulty with English, another staff member would step in to assist. They were fast to respond on the booking app if I had any questions and were accommodating to changes in my stay....”
PhongpeeraThailand“staff is very nice and welling to help you for everything.”
YUnited States of America“The setting of the property is amazing - the outdoor onsen being right next to the river. The buildings are old and could use some upgrading, but they were kept clean. Dinner and breakfast were delicious and plentiful. The staff were friendly...”- Filip
Belgium“This was great value for money and one of the better onsen experiences we had. The food and service was really good, the rooms basic but comfortable.” - Johann
Philippines“One of the best onsen experiences I’ve had. The sceneries were so breathtaking. It was truly an unforgettable stay.” 
Sharona
Singapore“We drove from Tokyo to Takaragawa. Easy drive and was pleased that it was not snowing hard as we only have snow tires. You will need chains if the snow is very heavy. Location was breath taking and the beauty of the Onsen was amazing, perched...”
JackvisaThailand“Superb view and unique onsen next to the river. Mixed gender outdoor bath. Building is old give you felling ryukan style”
- Hi, is April fully booked or can we make reservation in that month? Thanks!The joint used server by the hotels were down after the domestic benefit travel program was started. The booking for the next spring and early summer ..Answered on 24 October 2022
- What is the differences between Japanese style room and selected room? ThanksAll of the rooms are by the Japanese style. Selected at check in means that the guests cannot choose the Building in advance.Answered on 26 January 2023
- Is that poor bear still being kept in that awful cage?No bears kept any more.Answered on 16 December 2022
- Do you welcome 1.5 year old child ? Thank youyes welcome.Answered on 16 December 2022
- Hi! I read that you accept tattoos at your public onsens from a response you posted in 2019 (recommend to cover up with a towel). Is this still true?Officially we have not answered yes,but no worry please. covering it with something,it could be better. Or choose the time and timing for your bathing..Answered on 30 December 2022
- Still looking?
- Towels
- Garden
- Electric kettle
- Refrigerator
- HikingAdditional charge
- Skiing
- Golf course (within 2 miles)Additional charge
- Sitting area
- Flat-screen TV
- Telephone
- TV
- Shuttle service
- Vending machine (drinks)
- Wake-up service
- Safe
- Designated smoking area
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Elevator
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Public Bath
- Open-air bath
- Hot spring bath
- MassageAdditional charge
- Japanese
Cancellation/
prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.
Children & Beds
Child policies
Children over 8 are welcome.
To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.
Crib and extra bed policies
Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.
Age restriction
No age restriction for check-in. (Only children 8 and up are allowed)
Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
The fine print
- From Joetsu Shinkansen Jomo-Kogen Station to the hotel: 13:00 and 15:00
- From JR Joetsu Line Minakami Station to the hotel: 15:15
- From the hotel to JR Minakami Station and Jomo-Kogen Station: 09:30 (09:15 from December to March)
Please note that there are no dining options near the hotel.
Guests without a dinner plan: To have dinner at the hotel, please make a reservation at least a day in advance. The hotel's contact details can be found in the booking confirmation.
Dinner is served between 18:00 and 20:00.
Guests with tattoos may not be permitted to use the property’s public bathing areas or other facilities where the tattoos might be visible to other guests.
FAQs about Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku
-
The prices at Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.
-
Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku offers the following activities/services (charges may apply):
- Massage
- Hiking
- Skiing
- Golf course (within 2 miles)
- Open-air bath
- Public Bath
- Hot spring bath
-
Check-in at Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku is from 2:00 PM, and check-out is until 10:00 AM.
-
Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku is 11.8 miles from the center of Minakami.
-
Room options at Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku include:
- Quad
- Twin
- Family
-
Yes, Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku is popular with guests booking family stays.
