Agano: Gozu Mountain Base and Hot Springs

Gozu Onsen area in Agano City is a quiet hot spring resort about 40 minutes by car from Niigata City, nestled in satoyama nature at the base of Mount Gozu. Surrounded by beautiful beech forest, the area is blessed with hot springs and clear streams, and comprises three hot spring villages: Murasugi, Deyu, and Imaita. Loved as a place of healing where travelers can relax away from the bustle, it is popular with those who enjoy hot springs alongside hiking and nature walks.

Highlights

Each of the three hot spring villages has its own distinct character. Deyu Onsen has a long history said to be connected to the monk Kobo Daishi, and features scattered communal bathhouses in a rustic setting. Murasugi Onsen is renowned as a radium-bearing radioactive spring and has long been cherished as a place for therapeutic bathing. Imaita Onsen is known for its calm, greenery-surrounded atmosphere. All three retain a modest, unspoiled charm that is not overly commercialized.

Behind the hot spring area rises Mount Gozu, long beloved by the people of Niigata, with well-maintained hiking courses. At the foot of the mountain lies Hyoko, a famous swan arrival site registered as a Ramsar wetland, where many swans can be observed resting during winter.

Seasonal Enjoyment

From spring through early summer, the dazzling fresh green of the beech forest makes it ideal to combine mountain walks with hot springs. Summer brings visitors seeking the cool of clear streams. In autumn, the beech and other trees turn beautiful colors, perfect for pairing leaf-viewing with a soak. In winter, swans arrive at Hyoko, and quiet bathing amid snowy scenery is exceptional.

Getting There & Basic Information

• Location: Agano City, Niigata (Gozu Onsen area)
• Access: Bus or taxi from Suibara Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line
• By car: Close to the Yasuda IC on the Banetsu Expressway; about 40 minutes from central Niigata City
• Nearby: Hyoko (swan arrival site, Ramsar wetland), Mount Gozu (hiking)

Practical Travel Notes

Because the three hot springs are within walking or short driving distance of each other, enjoying a day-trip bath-hopping tour is a great option. Staying overnight lets you savor the quiet satoyama air in the morning and evening. If you plan to hike Mount Gozu, bring comfortable walking shoes and seasonally appropriate warm and rain gear, as trail footing changes easily with the weather. The swans at Hyoko generally arrive in winter, but timing and numbers vary by year, so check Agano City tourism information before visiting. Public transport is infrequent, so review timetables in advance.

A Word of Advice

Gozu Onsen is a hideaway-like resort perfect for those who want to relax in a quiet setting. Savor the individual character of each spring, radium-rich Murasugi, historic Deyu, and greenery-wrapped Imaita, while also exploring Mount Gozu and the swans of Hyoko. A luxurious moment of restoring body and mind awaits.

📚 Sources

This article is based on guidance published by Agano City, home to the Gozu hot spring villages, and its tourism association, public information from the local inn cooperative, and on-site information boards. Day-use bathing, inn operations, and the timing of seasonal mountain vegetables vary and may change, so please confirm with each inn or the Agano Tourism Association before setting out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: A hot spring stop suits a half day, or an overnight stay to relax.
• Getting there: A car is convenient for reaching the hot spring villages.
• When to go: Seasonal mountain vegetables and greenery add to the appeal in their seasons.
• What to prepare: A towel and change of clothes; check day-use bathing hours in advance.
• Before you go: Confirm bathing and inn details in advance, as they may change.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Kehoji-no-Yu (Deyu Onsen): Opened in 2026 as a new bathhouse right next to the ageing former Kehoji public bathhouse, which it replaces. Open 8:00-18:00 (last admission 17:30), 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children (elementary school age), 15 parking spaces, and alkaline simple spring water
• Deyu Onsen public bathhouse (Shinyu): 6:00-20:00, open every day, 250 yen for adults and 150 yen for children (elementary school age and under), simple spring
• Murasugi Onsen Yakushi-no-Yu: 7:00-20:30 (7:30-20:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays), open every day, 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for children (elementary school age and under), radium spring (radioactive spring)
• Murasugi Onsen Yakushi footbath: 10:00-18:00, 100 yen. About 10 people can use it at a time
• Access: About 15 minutes by car from Suibara Station on the JR Uetsu Line, or about 20 minutes by car from Yasuda IC on the Ban-etsu Expressway
• Buses: Agano City community buses cost 100 yen per ride (no service from 29 December to 3 January or from 13 to 16 August). From Shinjuku there is a reservation-only highway bus, running on Saturdays (departing Shinjuku) and Sundays (departing Gozu Onsen-kyo)
• Hyoko Lake: Officially registered as a Ramsar Convention wetland on 30 October 2008 (area 24 ha). It is also designated a National Natural Monument as the Suibara swan arrival grounds

Note: the operating details of the former Kehoji public bathhouse (6:00-18:30 / 250 yen for adults) have been superseded by the new facility, so beware of out-of-date information.

(Sources: Agano City Tourism Association, Agano SPOT; official website of the Gozu Onsen-kyo Ryokan Cooperative; Agano City official website)