Nikko Kinugawa Onsen

Kinugawa Onsen is a celebrated hot spring resort on the scenic Kinugawa river gorge in the mountains south of Nikkō, where bicarbonate-rich volcanic water has attracted visitors since the 18th century when the springs were first opened by the priests of the famous Tōshō-gū shrine complex. Ryokan and hotel thermal facilities line both banks of the Kinugawa gorge, whose autumn foliage and river rapids scenery draw large numbers of visitors from Tokyo and the Kantō region seeking an accessible mountain onsen escape within two hours of the capital. Kinugawa's proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage shrine and temple complex of Nikkō — with its extraordinary Tōshō-gū mausoleum, sacred Shinkyo bridge, and Lake Chūzenji waterfalls — makes it one of the most culturally well-positioned onsen resort towns in all of Japan.