🗺️ Naruko Onsen Village

Naruko Onsen is composed of five hot spring areas: Naruko, Higashinaruko, Kawarabayashi, Nakayama-daira, and Onikobe. According to the "Shoku Nihon Koki," in the 4th year of the Jōwa era (837), hot springs emerged due to a volcanic eruption. The unique feature of Naruko Onsen is the ability to enjoy a variety of different types of hot springs. In Japan, there are a total of 10 types of hot spring waters (source: Ministry of the Environment, Japan, "Basic Knowledge for Safe and Relaxing Hot Spring Use"), and Naruko Onsen boasts 7 of these, making it one of Japan's rare and precious hot spring resorts. As a travel hub, Naruko Onsen Station is surrounded by numerous hot spring accommodations, as well as foot baths, hand baths, and public baths. To travel to other areas, you can take the train or city bus, but services are limited. If you want to visit various hot spring areas in a short time, renting a car is recommended for convenience (reservation required). The area around "Naruko Gorge" in Naruko Onsen is a deciduous broadleaf forest, lush from spring to summer. From mid-October to early November each year, it becomes a scenic spot for viewing beautiful red and yellow autumn leaves. Onikobe is famous for its two geysers: "Benten," which erupts water about 15 meters high every 10 minutes, and "Unraku," which erupts water 2 to 3 meters high every 10 to 20 minutes. Here, you can also enjoy the fun of cooking onsen eggs or soaking your feet in hot water. The local craft, Naruko (Kujira), is a classic souvenir. The most distinctive feature of Kujira is that it is made using a special technique, allowing it to make a "chirp chirp" sound when its head is turned. Its small size, which fits in the palm of your hand, makes it the best choice for a souvenir representing Naruko Onsen. Additionally, at the Naruko Kujira Museum in Japan, you can not only watch demonstrations of Kujira production but also try your hand at painting one.

You can enjoy various types of hot springs. There are many must-see attractions such as "Naruko Gorge" and "Geysers," which are famous for their autumn foliage. Traffic congestion often occurs during the autumn season, so it's advisable to allow enough time. The local craft, Naruko (木芥子), is a classic souvenir that makes for a great gift. If you want to visit the hot spring areas in a short period, it's recommended to rent a car for self-driving (car rental requires a reservation).