Asama Onsen: Day-Use Hot Spring Baths & Prices (Nagano)

Northeast of central Matsumoto, the water rises at the foot of a hill about 20 minutes by bus from Matsumoto Station. Used as the "goten-yu," the lord's bath of Matsumoto Castle, and favored by writers as a place to stay from the Meiji era onward, it has long been cherished as "the inner parlor of Matsumoto." It is close enough to combine easily with sightseeing at the national-treasure Matsumoto Castle, yet it is a hot spring area whose water itself has been highly regarded since ancient times. Loved by writers and painters, it is lined with inns of calm and settled character. Its soft alkaline simple water is well regarded as gentle on the skin.

Highlights

Close to the national-treasure Matsumoto Castle, its location lets you enjoy castle-town sightseeing and a hot spring together. The wide spa town offers everything from historic long-established inns to modern lodgings, and bath-hopping and strolling are pleasant. The water is smooth and easy for a long, relaxed soak.

From the "Hot Water of Tsukama" in the Nihon Shoki

The origin of Asama Onsen as set out by Hot Plaza Asama reaches back a very long way. The "Nihon Shoki" records that in 685 Emperor Tenmu "...sent men to Shinano to build a temporary palace. Perhaps he intended to visit the hot water of Tsukama," and archaeologists have established that this "hot water of Tsukama" refers to the Asama Onsen area, where the provincial capital of Shinano Province stood. In the Edo period the lords of Matsumoto Castle came here to its "goten-yu," and from the Meiji era onward literary figures such as Masaoka Shiki, Yumeji Takehisa, Akiko Yosano, Bokusui Wakayama and Katai Tayama visited.

The establishment that still bears the lineage of that goten-yu is "Yuyuan Biwa no Yu." It began in 1594 (Bunroku 3), when the Ishikawa clan, the first lords of Matsumoto Castle, built a bathing palace at Asama and laid out the bath house. The first bath keeper was Akimitsu Ishikawa - a grandson of Kazumasa Ishikawa through his third son Yasutsugu - who was given the post of palace keeper after being wounded in battle and left unable to walk easily. After the clan's dispossession he changed his name to Rakusai Oguchi, and thereafter the Oguchi family served as bath keepers of the goten-yu for generations. The "Shinpu Toki," an administrative record of the Matsumoto domain, likewise notes that "a man called the bath keeper Jian Oguchi and his descendants have served in this role," and the private open-air bath named "Rakusai" is named after this first bath keeper.

Knowing How the Water Is Used

The water of Asama Onsen is a colorless, transparent simple spring, notable for the high temperature of its source. Biwa no Yu's posted notice gives an alkaline simple spring at a source temperature of 49.1 degrees and pH 8.8. Hot Plaza Asama's posted notice gives a weakly alkaline simple spring at a water temperature of 49.7 degrees, with a flow rate measured at the mixing tank of 815 liters per minute, and 26 tons of source water is supplied to that facility every day.

Both facilities are honest about how the water is used. Biwa no Yu adds no water, does heat the water, and uses a disinfectant for hygiene management. Hot Plaza Asama adds water and heats it for temperature control, and recirculates and filters it for hygiene management. This is not a place to visit in search of pure free-flowing spring water. However, the footbath at Hot Plaza Asama alone is free-flowing from the source, and there you can feel the heat of the water just as it is.

Enjoying the Seasons

Cherry blossoms around Matsumoto Castle in spring, the cool climate of the highlands in summer, and the autumn foliage of the surrounding mountains can all be enjoyed. Using Matsumoto as a base, it is also handy for trips to Utsukushigahara and the Norikura highlands.

Access and Basic Information

From the bus terminal in front of JR Matsumoto Station, a bus bound for the Asama Onsen area takes roughly twenty minutes. By car, follow National Route 158 toward central Matsumoto from the Matsumoto interchange on the Nagano Expressway, arriving in about twenty minutes. The spa town has a day-use bathing facility, Hot Plaza Asama, with open-air baths, a sauna, and a large tatami lounge. Day-use admission for adults is in the several-hundred-yen range, and it is open from morning until late at night, though a regular closing day is set, so it is wise to check the latest hours before dropping in. The water is a soft, mild, weakly alkaline simple spring.

Practical Information

The two mainstays for a day trip are "Yuyuan Biwa no Yu" and "Hot Plaza Asama," a public day-use facility in which the Asama Onsen Ryokan Cooperative is involved.

• Spring quality: Alkaline (weakly alkaline) simple spring, colorless and transparent. Source temperature is 49.1 degrees with pH 8.8 according to Biwa no Yu's notice, and 49.7 degrees according to Hot Plaza Asama's notice
• Indications (Hot Plaza Asama's notice): Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, stiff joints, bruises, hemorrhoids, chronic digestive illness, sensitivity to cold, convalescence after illness, recovery from fatigue, general health promotion
• How the water is used: Biwa no Yu adds no water / does heat / uses a disinfectant. Hot Plaza Asama adds water and heats / recirculates and filters. The footbath at Hot Plaza Asama is free-flowing from the source
• Drinking the water: Biwa no Yu posts indications for drinking (liver and gallbladder disorders, diabetes, chronic urinary disorders, chronic gastrointestinal illness)
• Biwa no Yu fees: Adults (junior high school age and over) 900 yen, children (age 4 to elementary school) 500 yen. A book of 11 tickets is 9,000 yen for adults and 5,000 yen for children. On October 1, 2025 the adult fee was revised from 800 yen to 900 yen
• Biwa no Yu hours: 9:00-21:00 (last admission 20:00), closed Mondays (the following day when Monday is a public holiday)
• Biwa no Yu baths: One large bath with a cypress open-air bath each for men and women (with bubble bath, sauna and cold-water bath, swapped between men and women weekly). There is also a rustic open-air bath
• Biwa no Yu private baths: The open-air baths "Rakusai" and "Yuan." Use is by the hour from 9:00 with last reception at 20:00. In addition to a private-use charge of 1,000 yen per group per hour, the bathing fee is 1,500 yen per person per hour. For two people that is 1,000 yen + 1,500 yen x 2 = 4,000 yen. By telephone reservation (0263-46-1977)
• Biwa no Yu and tattoos: People with tattoos may not bathe
• Biwa no Yu amenities: Body soap, rinse-in shampoo, hairdryer and cotton swabs are fully provided. Towel 200 yen (for sale), bath towel 200 yen (rental), toothbrush 50 yen, razor 50 yen
• Biwa no Yu parking: 25 spaces plus 22 newly added
• On site at Biwa no Yu: The Japanese restaurant "Sosoan" (fully by reservation; direct line 0263-87-6732), Cafe MARUKURU, and a post-bath lounge. The building is non-smoking with a designated smoking area
• Hot Plaza Asama admission: Adults 750 yen, children (elementary and junior high school) 400 yen, free below elementary school age. A book of 10 tickets is 6,750 yen for adults and 3,600 yen for children. Revised April 1, 2025
• Hot Plaza Asama hours: 10:00-24:00 (last admission and the footbath until 23:00). Closed every Tuesday (open when Tuesday is a public holiday, closing the following day). Open without a break over New Year, Golden Week and Obon
• Hot Plaza Asama facilities: A large bath, an open-air bath, a 90-degree dry sauna, a cold-water bath, a footbath, and a second-floor rest area (45 tatami mats). Body shampoo, shampoo and conditioner are provided
• Hot Plaza Asama parking: Free, 44 spaces (4 large buses possible). Bicycle parking for 20 on the right side facing the building
• Access by bus: From the bus terminal in front of Matsumoto Station or the Matsumoto Station Oshiro-guchi bus stop, take the Alpico Kotsu bus bound for Asama Onsen, 19 minutes, and get off at "Hot Plaza Asama-mae," right at the site. On the Yokota Shindai Loop Line or Shindai Yokota Loop Line, get off at "Asama Onsen Iriguchi" and walk about 8 minutes. The last bus bound for Asama Onsen departs Matsumoto Station Oshiro-guchi at 18:45, and the Yokota Shindai Loop Line departs the bus terminal at 22:00 on weekdays and 21:55 on weekends
• Access by car: 7.1 km, about 25 minutes from the Matsumoto IC on the Nagano Expressway. From the Azumino IC it is 11.5 km and about 30 minutes, and from the Azusagawa Smart IC (ETC only) 9.4 km and about 20 minutes - a route less prone to congestion than the Matsumoto IC
• By bicycle: 20-30 minutes from Matsumoto Station to Hot Plaza Asama
• Addresses: Yuyuan Biwa no Yu - 3-26-1 Asama Onsen, Matsumoto City (0263-46-1977) / Hot Plaza Asama - 3-16-3 Asama Onsen, Matsumoto City (0263-46-6278)

Which One to Choose

The division is roughly this: choose Biwa no Yu if you are after the atmosphere of a historic bath house or a private bath, and Hot Plaza Asama if price matters and you want an easy soak late into the night. Biwa no Yu has an early last admission at 20:00 and is closed on Mondays. Hot Plaza Asama is open until midnight but closed on Tuesdays, so note that on Mondays and Tuesdays only one of the two is open. If you finish visiting Matsumoto Castle in the morning and take the bus to the hot spring in the afternoon, you will have plenty of margin before the last bus.

Practical Travel Notes

If a bath alone is your aim, the day-use facility is an easy option, but if you combine it with a stroll around Matsumoto Castle and Nakamachi-dori, it is best to take half a day to a full day, making the most of the location close to central Matsumoto. During cherry-blossom and autumn-leaf seasons the area around the castle grows crowded, so a comfortable flow is to visit the castle early in the morning and rest at the hot spring in the afternoon. Nearby are real landmarks such as Matsumoto Castle, the former Kaichi School building, and the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, all a short distance from the town center. A day-use bath costs only a few hundred yen, and even with a stay this is an easy base for touring Matsumoto.

A Quick Tip

Pairing your stay with a walk to Matsumoto Castle and the Nakamachi-dori street is recommended. After tiring your legs sightseeing, soothe your body in the gentle waters. If you use a day-use facility, bring a towel and a change of clothes so you can drop by lightly.

📚 Sources

The origin of Asama Onsen (the "hot water of Tsukama" in the "Nihon Shoki"), its history as a goten-yu, the spring quality, the water temperature of 49.7 degrees, the flow rate of 815 liters per minute, the posted notice on added water, heating and recirculating filtration, the indications and contraindications, and the layout of the baths and footbath were confirmed on the "Onsen" page of the official Hot Plaza Asama website. That facility's admission fees (revised April 1, 2025), hours, closing days, rest area, amenities, 44 parking spaces, access by bus and car, and the last bus times follow the usage guide page and access page of the same site. The founding of Biwa no Yu (1594, Bunroku 3), the Oguchi bath-keeper family and the account in the "Shinpu Toki" come from the history page of that establishment's official website; the spring quality, the source temperature of 49.1 degrees, pH 8.8, and the posted notice on added water, heating and disinfectant, the indications for bathing and drinking, and the fee structure for the large bath and the private open-air baths "Rakusai" and "Yuan" from the baths page of the same site; and the bathing fee (revised October 1, 2025), hours, closing days, towel charges and number of parking spaces from the information page. Details are subject to change, so please check official sources before setting out.

Practical Information for Your Visit

The two mainstays for a day visit are Toutouan Biwa no Yu and Hot Plaza Asama, a public day-use bathhouse in which the Asama Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Association is involved.

• Spring quality: Alkaline (weakly alkaline) simple spring, colourless and transparent. The source temperature is posted as 49.1 degrees with a pH of 8.8 at Biwa no Yu, and 49.7 degrees at Hot Plaza Asama
• Indications (as posted at Hot Plaza Asama): Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, joint stiffness, bruises, haemorrhoids, chronic digestive disorders, sensitivity to cold, convalescence, recovery from fatigue and general health promotion
• How the water is handled: At Biwa no Yu the water is not diluted, it is heated, and a disinfectant is used. At Hot Plaza Asama the water is diluted and heated, and it is circulated and filtered. The foot bath at Hot Plaza Asama is free-flowing water straight from the source
• Drinking the water: Biwa no Yu posts indications for drinking the water (liver and gallbladder disorders, diabetes, chronic urinary disorders and chronic gastrointestinal complaints)
• Admission to Biwa no Yu: 900 yen for adults (junior high school age and above) and 500 yen for children (age 4 to elementary school age). A book of 11 tickets costs 9,000 yen for adults and 5,000 yen for children. On 1 October 2025 the adult price was revised from 800 yen to 900 yen
• Opening hours of Biwa no Yu: 9:00-21:00 (last admission 20:00), closed on Mondays (the following day when Monday is a public holiday)
• The baths at Biwa no Yu: One large bathhouse with a Japanese cypress open-air bath for each of men and women (with a bubble bath, a sauna and a cold-water bath; the men's and women's sides are swapped each week). There are also rustic open-air baths
• Private baths at Biwa no Yu: The open-air baths Rakusai and Yuan. They are used in units of one hour, from 9:00 with last admission at 20:00. In addition to a private-use fee of 1,000 yen per group per hour, there is a bathing fee of 1,500 yen per person per hour. For two people that comes to 1,000 yen + 1,500 yen x 2 = 4,000 yen. Reservations are required by telephone (0263-46-1977)
• Tattoos at Biwa no Yu: Guests with tattoos are not permitted to bathe
• Amenities at Biwa no Yu: Body soap, rinse-in shampoo, hairdryers and cotton swabs are all provided. Towels cost 200 yen (for sale), bath towels 200 yen (rental), toothbrushes 50 yen and razors 50 yen
• Parking at Biwa no Yu: 25 spaces plus 22 newly added spaces
• On-site facilities at Biwa no Yu: The Japanese restaurant Sosoan (reservations essential, dedicated line 0263-87-6732), Cafe MARUKURU and a post-bath lounge. The building is non-smoking, with a designated smoking area
• Admission to Hot Plaza Asama: 750 yen for adults, 400 yen for children (elementary and junior high school students), free of charge for children below elementary school age. A book of 10 tickets costs 6,750 yen for adults and 3,600 yen for children. Prices revised on 1 April 2025
• Opening hours of Hot Plaza Asama: 10:00-24:00 (last entry and the foot bath until 23:00). Closed every Tuesday (open when Tuesday is a public holiday, closing the following day instead). Open throughout the New Year holidays, Golden Week and the Obon period
• Facilities at Hot Plaza Asama: A large bathhouse, an open-air bath, a 90-degree dry sauna, a cold-water bath, a foot bath and a rest area of 45 tatami mats on the second floor. Body shampoo, shampoo and conditioner are provided
• Parking at Hot Plaza Asama: 44 free spaces (4 of which can take large buses). There is space for 20 bicycles on the right-hand side of the building as you face it
• Access by bus: From the bus terminal in front of Matsumoto Station or the Matsumoto Station Oshiroguchi bus stop, take the Alpico Kotsu bus bound for Asama Onsen; the ride takes 19 minutes and Hot Plaza Asama Mae stop is right in front of the building. On the Yokota Shindai Loop Line or the Shindai Yokota Loop Line, get off at Asama Onsen Iriguchi and walk about 8 minutes. The last bus for Asama Onsen leaves Matsumoto Station Oshiroguchi at 18:45, while the last Yokota Shindai Loop Line bus leaves the bus terminal at 22:00 on weekdays and 21:55 at weekends
• Access by car: 7.1 km, about 25 minutes, from Matsumoto IC on the Nagano Expressway. From Azumino IC it is 11.5 km and about 30 minutes, and from Azusagawa Smart IC (ETC only) 9.4 km and about 20 minutes, routes that tend to be less congested than the one via Matsumoto IC
• By bicycle: 20-30 minutes from Matsumoto Station to Hot Plaza Asama
• Addresses: Toutouan Biwa no Yu, 3-26-1 Asama Onsen, Matsumoto (0263-46-1977) / Hot Plaza Asama, 3-16-3 Asama Onsen, Matsumoto (0263-46-6278)

Which One to Choose

The two divide neatly: choose Biwa no Yu if you are after the atmosphere of a historic bathhouse or a private bath, and Hot Plaza Asama if you want somewhere inexpensive that you can drop into late at night. Biwa no Yu has an early last admission at 20:00 and closes on Mondays. Hot Plaza Asama is open until midnight but closes on Tuesdays, so bear in mind that on Mondays and Tuesdays only one of the two is open. If you plan to see Matsumoto Castle in the morning and take the bus to the hot spring in the afternoon, you will have plenty of leeway before the last bus.

Information Sources

The origin of Asama Onsen (the "Tsukama no Yu" mentioned in the Nihon Shoki), its history as a bathhouse for the feudal lord, the posted spring quality, spring temperature of 49.7 degrees, flow rate of 815 litres per minute and notices on dilution, heating and circulation filtering, the indications and contraindications, and the layout of the baths and foot bath were all confirmed on the "Onsen" page of the official Hot Plaza Asama website. The same facility's admission fees (revised 1 April 2025), opening hours, closing days, rest area, amenities, 44 parking spaces, access by bus and car, and last bus times come from the usage guide and access pages of that site. The founding of Biwa no Yu (1594, the third year of the Bunroku era), the Oguchi family of bath keepers and the account in the Shinpu Toki come from the history page of that inn's official website; the spring quality, source temperature of 49.1 degrees, pH of 8.8, notices on dilution, heating and disinfectant, the indications for bathing and drinking, and the pricing of the large bathhouse and the private open-air baths Rakusai and Yuan come from the bath page of the same site; and the bathing fees (revised 1 October 2025), opening hours, closing days, towel charges and number of parking spaces were confirmed on its information page. Details are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.