Kawaura Onsen Yamagatakan (Mitomi, Yamanashi City)

In Mitomi, Yamanashi City, in a mountain hamlet near Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, Kawaura Onsen is a spa known for Yamagatakan, a lone inn with ties to the Takeda clan. Its signature is a grand bath brimming with abundant spring water, and in a quiet setting ringed by deep mountains you can enjoy the waters as the seasons turn.

Highlights

The large bath, fed by the inn's own source welling up beneath your feet, is generous in volume and impressive to behold. Ravines and waterfalls dot the surroundings, and a short trip beyond brings you to the rich natural scenery of the national park, such as the Nishizawa Gorge.

Enjoying the Seasons

Early summer with its fresh greenery and autumn when the gorge blazes with color are especially popular times to visit. Summer stays cool as a mountain retreat, and winter lets you savor the baths quietly amid snowy scenery. Combining a soak with a gorge walk makes for an even more memorable trip.

Access and Basic Information

The spa lies at the end of a mountain road reached by bus or taxi from Enzan Station on the JR Chuo Main Line. By car, it is accessed by heading north on the national highway from the Katsunuma interchange on the Chuo Expressway, and it also serves as a gateway toward the Nishizawa Gorge and the Okuchichibu area.

A Quick Tip

The signature bath is rich in water volume, so take your time and enjoy a long soak. Pairing your visit with a hike in the Nishizawa Gorge makes for a full day of both nature and hot springs.