Footbaths are the solution to travel fatigue and coldness! Recommended footbath spots in Kinugawa and Yunishigawa
Free footbath spots scattered along rivers such as Kinugawa Gorge, where you can enjoy a spectacular view by line descent, Oga River in Kawaji, and Yunishigawa, are places for tourists and locals to relax. The hot springs, which have the same quality as those found in hot spring towns, are rich in beneficial properties, and are perfect for soothing tired feet and cold feet after a day of strolling in the valley. The beautiful seasonal scenery of the valley and the SL (steam locomotive) while soaking in the footbath is also an attraction of this area.
<Recommended footbath spots in Kinugawa and Yunishikawa
1Kinuta no Yu
Use the waiting time to enjoy footbaths
Kinugawa Hot Spring is located in the plaza in front of Kinugawa Onsen Station. You can also enjoy a hand bath in this alkaline simple hot spring, marked by a statue of Kinugawa Onsen's image character "Kinuta".
There is also a rest area next door, so it is an easy-to-use footbath spot where you can stop by while waiting for a meeting or a train.
Soak in the footbath while watching the SL
SL Taiki, which runs between Shimo-Imaichi Station and Kinugawa Hot Spring Station on the Tobu Line, began its long-awaited revival in August 2017. The turntable where the locomotive turns around is located nearby, so if you time it right, you can watch the SL while soaking in the footbath.
The SL enters the line three times a day (on operating days) at 10:30, 13:50, and 17:25.
Times may vary.
Please check the "SL Taiki" website for details such as operating days.
- Kinuta no Yu
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Ohara area, Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture (in front of Tobu Kinugawa Onsen Station) MAP
A short walk from Tobu Railway Kinugawa hot spring
9:00-17:00
Free of charge
0288-76-4107（Fujihara Administrative Center, Industry and Construction Section)
Alkaline simple spring
2Kinuko no Yu
Enjoy a footbath while viewing the valley
A 15-minute walk from Kinugawa Hot Spring Station, cross the Kurogane Bridge over the Kinugawa Gorge, and you will arrive at the Kurogane Bridge Park. Within the park, you will find "Kinuko no Yu" (Kinuko's Hot Spring). The statue of "Kinuko," the younger sister of "Kinuta," is the landmark.
This is a popular spot for taking a footbath while enjoying the spectacular view of the Kinugawa Valley as it changes from fresh green to autumn leaves to snowy scenery. Visitors can forget about the time while feeling the murmuring of the river and the flow of the wind.
There is a simple changing room at the entrance to the footbath, which is convenient for women in stockings.
A promenade where you can feel the Kinugawa River close at hand
The Kurogane Bridge River Walkway can be reached by going down from the side of the footbath. You can enjoy the scenery created by the flow of the Kinugawa River and the rocks up close. Since there is no dedicated parking lot at Kinuko no Yu, it is convenient to use the "Yunomachi Park Parking" located about a 5-minute walk away.
- Kinuko no Yu
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- 1-15 Fujiwara, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
- A 15-minute walk from Tobu Railway Higashi Kinugawa Koen Station,
Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Kinugawa Onsen Station - 9:00-17:00
- Free of charge
- 0288-76-4107（Fujihara Administrative Center, Industry and Construction Section)
- Alkaline simple spring
3Kawaji Fureai Park Musubi no Yu, Kawaji no Yu
Visit two footbaths in the park
At "Kawaji Fureai Park" located in the center of Kawaji hot spring resort, there are two footbaths: "Musubi no Yu" for couples and "Kawaji no Yu" named after "Kawaji," the character of Kawaji Hot Springs.
Musubi no Yu" is octagonal in shape, while "Kawaji no Yu" is rectangular and spacious. The hot spring water is alkaline simple hot spring that is gentle to the skin and effective for injuries.
The area around Kawajino-no-yu is a place for socializing.
The park, where you will be welcomed by a statue of "Kawaji," Kawaji Onsen's original character, has an exchange plaza, a hot spring yagura, a barrier-free public restroom, and Property where a variety of events are held.
The park is also used as a resting place for those strolling along the Oga River promenade, and visitors can enjoy the beauty of the valley from the promenade, which also descends along the river on the way.
- Kawaji Fureai Park Musubi-no-yu and Kawaji-no-yu
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- 45 Kawaji Hot Spring Plateau, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture (in Kawaji Fureai Park) MAP
- Approx. 15 min. walk from Noiwa Railway Kawaji Yumoto Stn.
- Open 9:00-21:00
- Free of charge
- 0288-76-4111
- Alkaline simple spring
4Roadside Station Yunishikawa Footbath
Relax in a footbath of high-quality natural hot spring water
Michi no Eki Yunishigawa, which is integrated with Yunishigawa Hot Spring Station, is a roadside station with a natural hot spring, a rarity in Japan.
A footbath is set up around the front of the hot spring property, where visitors can enjoy the luxury of hot spring water free of charge. Since the station is right in front of the roadside station, visitors can easily enjoy the footbath while waiting for a train or a duck tour, making it a popular destination.
- Roadside Station Yunishikawa Footbath
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- 478-1 Nishikawa, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
- A short walk from Noiwa Railway Yunishigawa hot spring station
- 9:30-17:00
The 3rd Tuesday of the month (or the following day if the 3rd Tuesday of August is a national holiday, or the 4th Tuesday of August if the 3rd Tuesday of August falls on the Bon Festival)- Free of charge
- 0288-78-1222
Free of charge- Alkaline simple spring
