Hottarakashi Onsen (Yamanashi City)

Perched on a hilltop in Yamanashi City, Hottarakashi Onsen is a day-use spa known for its unpretentious, wide-open outdoor baths. The panorama of the Kofu Basin below and Mount Fuji beyond is stunning, and many people arrive before dawn to soak as the sun rises.

Highlights

The greatest attraction is the vast, unobstructed panorama from the open-air baths. Two separate pools, known locally as the far bath and the near bath, each offer the view from a slightly different angle. After dark, the lights of the basin and a sky full of stars spread out before you.

Enjoying the Seasons

The celebrated sunrise can be enjoyed year round, and in the clear air of winter Mount Fuji looks especially beautiful. Summer invites cool evening bathing on the breezy heights, while spring and autumn pair well with the surrounding orchards.

Access and Basic Information

The spa sits atop a hill reached by a winding road from Yamanashi City Station on the JR Chuo Main Line, and a taxi is convenient for those without a car. By car, it is accessed from the Katsunuma and Ichinomiya Misaka interchanges on the Chuo Expressway.

A Quick Tip

If you are after the sunrise, rise early and aim to arrive a little before dawn. Mornings can be chilly, so bring a jacket, and on busy holidays leave extra time for the trip.