There are moments in Japan that feel almost surreal – when the landscape, tradition, and seasonal beauty align so perfectly that time seems to stand still. My experiences at Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku have given me many such moments, and today, I'm finally sharing this magical place with you through my latest video guide.

What Makes This Place Extraordinary

Nestled deep in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku isn't just another hot spring ryokan. It's a sanctuary where the boundaries between nature and human creation blur. Picture this: you're soaking in steaming waters while crimson maple leaves dance overhead, the rushing sound of the Takara River ("Treasure River") providing nature's perfect soundtrack. This isn't just marketing speak – it's exactly what you'll experience here.

Takaragawa Onsen boasts four magnificent outdoor baths (rotenburo) that together span an impressive 470 tatami mats. Each bath has its own character:

• Maya-no-Yu: Mixed bathing, riverside setting
• Hannya-no-Yu: Women-only bath with mountain views
• Maha-no-Yu: Mixed bathing, forest surroundings
• Kodakara-no-Yu: Mixed bathing, closest to the rushing river

While mixed bathing might sound intimidating to some, the ryokan provides a yuamigi (light bathing garments) that most guests wear, creating a comfortable atmosphere for everyone. This is particularly helpful for international visitors or those new to onsen culture.

Journey to Tranquility

Getting here is part of the experience. From Tokyo, you have two main options:

By Car:

• 2.5-hour drive via the Kan-Etsu Expressway
• Scenic route through mountain landscapes
• Perfect for those planning to explore the region

By Public Transport:

1. Take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Jomokogen Station (75 min)
2. Transfer to local bus to Minakami Station (25 min)
3. Final bus to Takaragawa Onsen (35 min)

• Pro tip: The ryokan offers a shuttle service with advance reservation
  
  

Beyond the Baths

While the onsen is undoubtedly the star attraction, Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku offers a complete ryokan experience:

Accommodation:

• Traditional Japanese rooms with mountain or river views
• Modern amenities blended with classical design
• Options for both tatami and Western-style rooms

Dining: The kaiseki meals here deserve special mention. Seasonal ingredients from the mountains and rivers are transformed into artistic presentations that tell the story of the region. During autumn, expect delicacies like:

• Local mushrooms and mountain vegetables
• River-caught iwana (char) grilled to perfection
• Seasonal sake pairings

Best Times to Visit

Each season offers something special, but I would particularly recommend:

🍁 Autumn (October-November)

• Peak foliage season
• Crisp mountain air
• Perfect onsen weather

❄️ Winter (December-March)

• Snow-covered landscapes
• Magical snow-bathing experiences
• Less crowded

Planning Your Visit

Reservations: Essential, especially during peak seasons

You can make a reservation through the link below and at the same time support this blog!

https://www.agoda.com/

• Book 2-3 months ahead for autumn foliage season
• Winter weekends also fill up quickly

What to Bring:

• Camera (outdoor areas only)
• Walking shoes for exploring
• Sense of adventure

Local Exploration

While you could spend your entire stay within the ryokan, the surrounding Minakami area offers:

• Hiking trails
• Mount Tanigawa
• Seasonal activities (rafting, skiing)
• Local sake breweries

Final Thoughts

In my years of exploring Japan's ryokans, Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku stands out not just for its magnificent baths or stunning location, but for how it creates moments of perfect harmony between nature and tradition. It's a place that reminds us of the simple pleasure of being present in a beautiful moment.

For more Japanese travel insights and ryokan recommendations, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow along as I share more hidden gems from my journeys across Japan.

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Have you visited Takaragawa Onsen? Share your experiences in the comments below, or let me know what other ryokans you'd like to learn about!

【Location: Yamagata Prefecture - Zao Onsen　場所：山形県蔵王温泉】

 Takamiya Ryokan Miyamaso was founded in 1716, and the main building is an elegant wooden Japanese-style structure of 3 floors and with more than 100 years of age.
「深山荘高見屋」は１７１６年に創業した老舗旅館です。木造和風の３階建ての建物は既に建設から１００年以上経っています。

 You can enjoy not only the quaint old-fashioned atmosphere at the ryokan but also the delicious cuisine and the soothing hot springs in the building. The hot water flows from the hot springs into the bathtub using the natural differences in height. It has a cloudy white color and a strong sulfur smell.
 非常に趣のある昔ながらの宿であり、そして館内に温泉が２カ所あります。温泉から湧き出るお湯は自然の高低差を利用して湯船に流れ込んでくる昔ながらの源泉かけ流しのお風呂です。お宿の木造のお風呂で湯治場の風情を楽しめます。白濁した強酸性の硫黄泉です。

Zao Onsen is said to have been founded 1900 years ago, and most of Zao's hot springs are strong acid sulfur hot springs. Strong acid sulfur hot springs have a softening and a detoxifying effect on the keratin. It is believed to be good for skin diseases, and that it can not only heal cuts but also improve frail health.
蔵王温泉は開湯1900年前と言われていますが、蔵王の湯はほとんどが強酸性硫黄温泉。強酸性硫黄温泉には、角質を柔らかくする効果やデトックス効果、皮膚病や切り傷、虚弱体質に良いと言われています

Extra: The Warabi no Sato Museum
This museum is a part of the Takamiya ryokan group, and they even have their own museum where artifacts from the inn are on display. It is a museum where even the buildings are worth looking at. The entire buildings have been relocated from inside and outside Miyagi prefecture.
童の里 美術館
他の美術館と異なる点は建物もご覧いただきたい美術館です 県内外から建物全部を移築してきたものであり、展示品は深山荘高見屋が昔お客さまに使っていたものです。

 Check out the full video:

Hi there! Anette here. How are you?
It has been quite a strange year, hasn't it?

 At the time I'm writing this, it has already been more than a year since Japan got its first case of Covid-19. For me, 2020 also marked the 10th year since moving from Norway to Japan. This blog was initiated back in 2010 to record some of my adventures, and it has been updated regularly since then, but due to career changes and various other commitments I haven't been able to keep up with the blog since 2019. 

Back when I was a student in Kyoto I had the chance to participate in the popular festival "Toka Ebisu" (十日戎) in Osaka as a "lucky girl" - fukumusume (福娘). This was a great cultural experience for me, and one of the most fun memories I have of my time as a student in Japan. Each year the Imamiya Ebisu shrine elects a total of 50 girls through the Fukumusume contest, and the lucky chosen get to work at the shrine during the 3-day long Osaka festival held on an annual basis in January, and if you are lucky you could have the chance to become one of the lucky girls of next year!

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