Agematsu Onsen

Agematsu Onsen is located in Agematsu Town, Nagano Prefecture, in the Kiso Valley at the site of one of Japan's great historic natural wonders — the Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest, designated one of Japan's three great forests (Nihon Sandai Bijin no Mori) for its magnificent Japanese cypress (hinoki) stands, which have supplied timber to Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines including Ise Jingu for over a millennium. The siliceous thermal waters here emerge in a valley where the scent of ancient cypress forests mingles with hot spring steam, creating a uniquely sensory wellness environment where the aromatic oils of the hinoki trees — prized in Japanese cosmetics and wellness products — are present in the very air of the surrounding woodland. Bathing at Agematsu Onsen in proximity to these ancient imperial forest cypress groves provides a spa experience with an extraordinarily deep connection to Japan's sacred landscape and the living material culture of its oldest Shinto traditions.