Kaga Onsen Hot Spring Hopping One Day Course

This plan tours the Kaga onsen area, where Yamashiro, Yamanaka, and Awazu hot springs gather, all in one day. You can enjoy historic public baths, the gorge scenery of Kakusenkei, and the local Kutani porcelain culture. A rental car or the loop bus makes moving around easy.

Course Route

9:30 Start at Kaga Onsen Station Begin at JR Kaga Onsen Station. Picking up a one day loop bus pass at the information desk makes travel smooth. 10:00 Yamashiro Onsen Ko Soyu Visit the Ko Soyu, a restored Meiji era bathhouse. Enjoy a morning bath in a beautiful hall of stained glass and Kutani tiles. 11:30 Browse Kutani Kilns and Galleries View and shop for the colorful Kutani porcelain at kilns and galleries around Yamashiro. 13:00 Lunch and Kakusenkei in Yamanaka Move to Yamanaka Onsen and have lunch in the spa town. View the gorge scenery of Kakusenkei from the Ayatori and Korogi bridges. 15:00 Yamanaka Onsen Kiku no Yu Soak slowly in the smooth waters of the Kiku no Yu public bath, which has the rare feature of separate buildings for men and women. 16:30 A Final Bath at Awazu Onsen Head to Awazu Onsen, said to have opened 1300 years ago. Soothe your travel fatigue at the public bath to finish the day.

Highlights

Yamashiro is also known for its ties to the artist Rosanjin and has a cultural air. The Kakusenkei gorge of Yamanaka offers seasonal beauty from fresh greenery to autumn leaves. The vivid colors of Kutani porcelain make a fine local souvenir.

Access and Tips

Using the loop bus from Kaga Onsen Station lets you hop on and off at the main spots. Since the hot spring towns are a little apart, a rental car is also handy for efficient touring. Public baths generally require you to bring your own towel, so prepare one.

A Quick Tip

If you plan to visit several public baths, bring extra towels and a change of clothes for comfort. Each bath has its own character, so comparing how your skin feels after each is part of the fun.