Day trip bathing travel journals to hot springs where we visited by train and bus

Kamisuwa Onsen Shibunoyu

Kamisuwa Onsen Shibunoyu

3-3-24, Kogandori, Suwa City, Nagano Pref.

Flowing luxuriously the onsen source of soft touch, described as "like honey". Spending the time of calm down in a Japanese atmosphere.

Kamisuwa Onsen Shibunoyu Chikurinnoyu bathtub
Kamisuwa Onsen Shibunoyu exterior Kamisuwa Onsen Shibunoyu Muminnoyu bathtub Kamisuwa Onsen Shibunoyu Muminnoyu hot water spout

The facility use the onsen water from their own source. The fresh onsen just springing out is luxuriously flowing without circulation.

The hall is a sophisticated Japanese modern relaxed space. The atmosphere is elegant and calm, so you can be relieved daily fatigue.

A 7-minute walk from Kamisuwa Station and a 2-minute walk to Lake Suwa. Great location as a base for sightseeing in Suwa.

Location

Rating of access

1.5 pt(from Shinjuku)

1.5 pt(from Nagoya)

→ How to rate access

Area / Railway

Koshinetsu Region
Nagano Pref.

JR Chuo Line

onsen

Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta.Keio: 1 hr Keio Line ¥ 370
  • Takao Sta.JR: 3 hrs Chuo Line ¥ 2,640
  • Kamisuwa Sta. (Kirigamine exit)Walk: 6 min 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
  • Shibunoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta.JR: 3 hrs 55 min Chuo Line ¥ 3,740
  • Kamisuwa Sta. (Suwako exit)Walk: 7 min 0.6 km (0.4 mi)
  • Shibunoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta.JR express: 2 hrs 20 min Azusa etc. Reserved-seat¥ 5,980
  • Kamisuwa Sta. (Suwako exit) SWAN Bus or KARINCHAN Bus: 1 min Higashiyama Line ¥ 150
  • Onsengai-dori Bus StopWalk: 2 min 0.2 km (0.1 mi)
  • Shibunoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. (New South Gate) Walk: 2 min
  • Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (4th floor) Expressway bus: 3 hrs 02 min Suwa Okaya Line ¥ 3,500
  • Kamisuwa Sta. (Kirigamine exit)Walk: 1 min
  • Station Rent-a-car in front of
    JR Kamisuwa Sta.Bicycle rental: 5 min ¥ 500 for 2 hrs -
  • Shibunoyu
Route from Nagoya
  • Nagoya Sta.JR: 3 hrs 50 min Chuo-nishi Line ¥ 3,410
  • Kamisuwa Sta.(The rest is the same as above)
Route from Nagoya
  • Nagoya Sta.JR express: 2 hrs Shinano etc. Non-reserved seat¥ 5,610
  • Shiojiri Sta.JR: 25 min Chuo Line ¥ -
  • Kamisuwa Sta.(The rest is the same as above)
Route from Nagoya
  • Nagoya Sta.Walk: 5 min
  • Meitetsu Bus Center (3rd floor) Expressway bus: 2 hrs 55 min Matsumoto Nagano Line ¥ 2,800 - ¥ 3,800
  • Naganodo Okaya Bus StopWalk: 35 min 2.6 km (1.6 mi)
  • Arayashiki Bus Stop SWAN Bus: 49 min - 1 hr Uchi-mawari Line (or Soto-mawari Line) ¥ 150
  • Rojin Fukushi Center Iriguchi
    Bus Stop Walk: 3 min
  • Shibunoyu
Routes from Tokyo
  • Shinjuku
  • Keio
  • Takao
  • JR
  • Kamisuwa
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs 06 min ¥ 3,010

  • Shinjuku
  • JR
  • Kamisuwa
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs 02 min ¥ 3,740

  • Shinjuku
  • JR express
  • Kamisuwa
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 23 min ¥ 6,130

  • Shinjuku
  • Expressway bus
  • Kamisuwa
  • Bicycle rental
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs 10 min ¥ 4,000 -

Routes from Nagoya
  • Nagoya
  • JR
  • Kamisuwa
  • (The rest is the same as above)
  • 3 hrs 50 min+ ¥ 3,410+

  • Nagoya
  • JR express
  • Shiojiri
  • JR
  • Kamisuwa
  • (The rest is the same as above)
  • 2 hrs 25 min+ ¥ 5,610+

  • Nagoya
  • Expressway bus
  • Naganodo Okaya
  • Walk
  • Arayashiki
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs:27 - 38 min ¥ 2,950 - ¥ 3,950

  • The price of JR Express is "Base fare" plus "Express charge". (These are determined according to the distance.) In case of JR Express on Chuo Line, "Express charge" has two types: "Reserved seat" and "Undecided seat". Both have the same charge, which do not change depending on the season. However, the price will vary depending on where you buy. (Internet < Station < Inside the car). If you have an "Undecided seat" ticket, you can sit in any vacant seat, but you have no priority. So, if someone comes who has a "Reserved seat" ticket for the seat you are sitting, you have to give up the seat to him / her.
  • Other JR Express than the above, "Express charge" has two types: Reserved seat and Non-reserved seat. Reserved seat charge adds ¥930 (during the busiest season), ¥730 (during the busy season), ¥530 (during the normal season) or ¥330 (during the off season) to Non-reserved seat charge. (For details, please refer to JR East_Ticketing and Busiest / Busy / Normal / Off season calendar.)
  • The Kamisuwa Station exits are called "Kirigamine exit" on the east side and "Suwako exit" on the west side. To go to the Suwako exit, you have to exit from the Kirigamine exit, go to the right, and cross the track with the overpass (connecting passage).
  • KARINCHAN Bus and SWAN Bus sell one-day unlimited ride ticket (¥300 for adults) on the bus.
  • On the Expressway Bus Suwa Okaya Line, some buses are operated in the order of Chuodo ChinoOkaya Sta. → Shimosuwa Sta. → Kamisuwa Sta. (last stop). Note that they take a lot of time to go to Kamisuwa Sta.
  • The above fares are based on cash. When using an IC card, the fares may differ slightly.
  • The above times and distances are approximate. Does not include transfering or waiting times.

How to get to Shibunoyu

(Directions from Kamisuwa Sta. Kirigamine exit)
  1. Go out the East exit (Kirigamine exit) and turn left
  2. Go to the left, go through under the track, go about 100 m (328 ft) and turn left
(Directions from Kamisuwa Sta. Suwako exit)
  1. From West exit (Suwako exit), go to Lake Suwa
  2. Turn right at the T-junction. Go about 300 m (984 ft) and right side

bus stop: bus stop

Click the map to open Google Map

Travel journal of day trip bathing to hot spring

Characters

Nishi-san
Nishi-san
He is an orthodox hot springs lover and particular about quality of springs. He loves the hot springs flowing from the source, the hot water with a presence, and the rustic atmosphere.
Kita-san
Kita-san
He doesn't care much about quality of hot springs. He loves the open-air bath, and prefers hot springs that have visible features such as good views.

(→ Continuation from Katakurakan Senninburo)
Nishi-san and Kita-san who are being in Suwa today. After Katakurakan, they wandered around Lake Suwa and came to Shibunoyu at the right time. Shibunoyu is an onsen ryokan close to Katakurakan, where you can take a day trip bathing, but its hours are from 13:00 to 15:00. During that time, they passed through the Shibunoyu gate.

Shibunoyu exterior, Kamisuwa Onsen

Exterior

It's a bit modest compared to the big hotels along Lake Suwa.

Right, but it's not always good to be big. This is not too big and it feels good.

Shibunoyu front garden in the entrance, Kamisuwa Onsen

Front garden in the entrance

This front garden is also cool.

Even though it's Shibu "hot" spring.

Then, it's better to change the name to Shibu "cool" spring.

Well, in a way you are right.

Shibunoyu lobby, Kamisuwa Onsen

Lobby

Enter the hall.

Oh, the interior is pretty good too. Tasteful!

Exactly. Nice atmosphere.

At once, they go to the bath. The undressing room has a window so you can see the bathing room. It's during the afternoon on weekdays, so there are no other customers.

Shibunoyu Bathing room seen from the undressing room, Kamisuwa Onsen

Bathing room seen from the undressing room

Oh, nobody is there. Like reserved.

Really, that's a luxury.

The bathing room is divided into two. First, Nishi-san and Kita-san who enter the "Muminnoyu" (means "Hot water of dreaming").

Shibunoyu Muminnoyu, Kamisuwa Onsen

Muminnoyu (Hot water of dreaming)

Phew, Good hot water ... it feels soft and fresh.

This water has a yellowish color ... no, isn't it? Only looks like with the light?

It's subtle whether it has a color. Oh, but there's a lot of yunohana.

True. It's a nice hot water. And, this bamboo outside the window is cool too.

Because of all, it's Shibu cool spring.

And then, move to the "Chikurinnoyu" (means "Hot water of bamboo forest") in the next bath. Bamboo blind on the upper half of the big window, is blocking out the light from outside properly.

If you come from Kirigamine Exit of Kamisuwa Station, turn left with this sign on a utility pole. Kamisuwa Onsen Shibunoyu information board

Shibunoyu Chikurinnoyu, Kamisuwa Onsen

Chikurinnoyu (Hot water of bamboo forest)

It seems basically the same in the style.

But this bamboo view is art work, you know.

I see, exactly.

Shibunoyu Chikurinnoyu, Kamisuwa Onsen

Chikurinnoyu (Hot water of bamboo forest)

The window looks like a picture frame and it looks like a painting. It's really cool to look at the bamboo forest like a Japanese painting while soaking in the hot water.

Because of all, it's Shibu cool spring.

Shibunoyu washing area, Kamisuwa Onsen

Washing area

... I feel like I heard that line several times today ...

Hmm? So? It's just your imagination.

Oh, it's just my imagination ... Anyway, also this washing area is really good, and cool.

Because of all, it's Shibu It's Shibu COOL spring!

... I feel like I heard that line several times today ...

So? It's just your imagination.

Shibunoyu, that has a beautiful contrast between a slightly dark bathing room and bamboo lit by bright sunlight outside the window. In here, the time goes by slowly and quietly that is unrelated to the hustle and bustle of sightseeing spots.

(September 2018)

Muminnoyu and Chikurinnoyu are men's baths during the day trip bathing hours. (Women's bath has a semi-open-air bath and different atmosphere.)
It seems that you can take both baths if you stay because they change around 19 o'clock.

Impression & rating

Soft and fresh hot water with yunohana. The overall atmosphere is elegant and relaxing. A hot spring with a good impression.

2.5 pt

Impression & rating

It's so nice to look at bamboo while soaking in hot water. I wish not only women's bath but also men's bath has an open-air bath.

1.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
3-3-24, Kogandori, Suwa City, Nagano Pref.
Phone
domestic: 0266-52-2655
international: +81-266-52-2655
Web Site
Shibunoyu
Day trip bathing hours
13:00 - 15:00
Regular holiday
?
Charge
¥ 1,000 (Including rental towel)
Baths
Gender-separated indoor bath
Facilities
No lockers at the undressing room

The hot spring data
(According to hot spring analysis report etc.)

(Survey date: Nov. 5, 2015)

Spring quality
Simple hot spring (Hypotonic Weak alkaline High temperature spring)
Source
Shibunoyu source
(Hot warer spout of Shibunoyu) 3-3-24, Kogandori, Suwa City, Nagano Pref.
Temperature
50.0 ℃ (122.0 ℉)
[air temperature: 10 ℃ (50 ℉)]
Volume
- L / min
pH value
8.25
Total ingredients
0.5982 g / kg
Perception
Almost colorless and clear, tasteless and odorless

Today's Ekiben

Shinshu beef and wild vegetables rice
The appearance of Shinshu beef and wild vegetables rice The whole of Shinshu beef and wild vegetables rice

Shinshu beef and wild vegetables rice

(Purchased at Chino Station)

Ekiben that has charcoal-grilled Shinshu beef, shredded omelet and wild vegetables on tea rice. Marumasa is proud of the charcoal-grilled Shinshu beef that has a savory smell. At first, I thought the price is a bit high. But once I've heard that they only use A5 and A4 grade beef, it seems reasonable. Either way, it's a delicious ekiben. (¥ 1,200) (→ Marumasa website)

  • The descriptions on this page contain personal opinions and are not necessarily objective facts.
  • The information may have changed at present. In particular, the charge and price etc. has often not updated from the time of travel, so check the latest information on the official website.

Onsen List

Tohoku Region

Kanto Region

Kyushu Region

  • Fukuoka Pref.
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