Okuhida Onsen Town: About the Area

The onsen town of Okuhida is made up of five unique hot spring towns, and each one has its own underground springs. Travelers can soothe their aches and pains in the waters at public baths, ryokan (traditional inns) and other inns even if they are not spending the night there. Bathing in Okuhida includes traditional ways to relax such as outdoor baths (rotenburo) and, in some places, mixed-gender bathing (konyoku). Hot springs can be especially refreshing after a hike through the surrounding mountains.

The largest of the five towns, Hirayu Onsen is located just west of the border with Nagano Prefecture along National Route 158. This town is said to have been discovered by samurai warriors in the 1560s. Since then it has grown into a transport hub with many bus services as well as a spa with everything from luxury resorts to public baths and footbaths.

Of particular interest to history buffs and hot spring aficionados is Hirayu Minzokukan (Hirayu Folk Museum), a traditional thatched roof farmhouse containing not only displays related to traditional farming life, but its own public baths including rotenburo; after bathing you can relax for free in the lounge area of the farmhouse. Other buildings on the premises include a farmhouse from the Edo period (1603–1868) and Rokuji, a restaurant serving dishes such as Hida beef curry rice, tonchan (grilled beef organs flavored with miso), and keichan (grilled chicken flavored with miso).

The other four onsen towns making up Okuhida are Shin-Hirayu Onsen, situated on the banks of the Gamata River and offering a variety of hot springs inns; Fukuji Onsen, located down the road from Shin-Hirayu Onsen and offering traditional inns set among the foothills as well as a unique morning market specializing in retro movie posters, records and magazines as well as local produce; Shin-Hotaka Onsen, set at the foot of the Hotaka Mountains and affording eye-popping riverside views of the peaks; and Tochio Onsen, a town of smaller minshuku inns and public baths, also on the Gamata River.

Onsen ryokan inns bring together Japan’s renowned traditional hospitality with the healing powers of nature in the form of hot spring baths. One of the most striking accommodation options in Okuhida is Yamazato no Iori Soene in Fukuji Onsen.

Fashioned out of a grand Hida home originally built over 170 years ago and then relocated to Fukuji, this serene, exquisitely designed ryokan exudes traditional architecture and rugged mountain culture with its old wood buildings and exposed beams, irori floor hearths where charcoal embers glow, doma earthen floors, and bear- and serow-skin rugs.

Guests can enjoy a variety of bathing options including large indoor baths and rotenburo, unique circular “kettle” baths (kamayu) set by a waterfall on the Hirayu River, and three separate private outdoor baths (kashikiri rotenburo) that are perfect for couples and families wanting to unwind while bathing outdoors and admiring the seasonal beauty of nature.

The Hida region is known for its Hida beef (Hidagyu) as well as Hoba miso, a delicacy in which shiitake mushrooms, green onions and miso are placed on a large dried magnolia leaf and grilled. It is eaten over rice, beef and other foods.

Both of these specialties are served at ryokan inns such as Soene, where a typical dinner menu might include them as well as the following: grilled ayu sweetfish, edamame soup, mountain yams, fried lotus root, fu wheat gluten dough, salmon konbujime, gohei mochi grilled rice balls with miso, pumpkin shiratama mochi balls, and sautéed sesame blancmange.

It’s a hearty feast that’s sure to recharge your batteries after a long day of hiking, climbing or simply soaking your bones in the local hot springs.