Kawara Onsen Kawara no Yu
Chino, Nagano, Japan
- Location
- Chino, Nagano, Japan
- Water type
- sodium chloride
- Temperature
- 41 °C
- pH
- 7.3
Water profile
Thermicity
Sedative
LowHigh
Relaxing — deep, immediate muscle release.
Mineralisation
Restorative
LowHigh
Loaded with major ions — the essential minerals (Ca, Mg).
Buoyancy
Effortless float
LowHigh
Dense, salty water — you float without effort.
SodiumChloruresBrome
A traditional onsen is a serene bathhouse where individuals come to relax and unwind. This cultural tradition emphasizes communal bathing as a way to cleanse both the body and mind. Visitors typically follow a ritualistic process, shedding their outerwear and entering a tranquil space where they soak in warm waters, often surrounded by natural surroundings. This serene atmosphere fosters a sense of tranquility and social bonding among bathers.
Insider tip — In Chino on the western shore of Lake Suwa, where Japan's most celebrated inland sea freezes each winter creating the divine omi-watari ice ridge, Kawara no Yu (riverbed spring) offers warm counterpoint to the region's dramatic seasonal extremes; the Suwa Taisha Grand Shrine complex — one of Japan's oldest — is the cultural centerpiece of this highland basin.
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
How hot is the water?
The water runs quite hot here, around 41 °C — a sedative water that brings immediate muscle release.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features sodium chloride water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Toute l'année.