Nakaoyama Onsen

Nakaoyama Onsen in Nagano Prefecture flows with sulfate-rich thermal waters in a prefectural mountain landscape whose geological complexity produces thermal springs of considerable mineral diversity across the many highland valleys and volcanic districts that define Nagano's extraordinary geothermal character among Japan's most thermally productive inland prefectures. The spring's sulfate mineral composition, within a long thermal tradition, has long been appreciated by the mountain communities and outdoor enthusiasts of Nagano's demanding alpine terrain, where the warmth of sulfate mineral water provides welcome relaxation and respite after the rigors of high-altitude hiking, skiing, and agricultural labor in a climate of considerable seasonal extremes. Nakaoyama Onsen's sulfate volcanic waters and its position within one of Japan's most geothermally productive mountain prefectures invite visitors to experience volcanic mineral bathing in a Nagano highland setting where the qualities of the earth's geothermal mineral gifts are appreciated as a practical as well as a pleasurable resource.