ABOUT
About this spot
Known as the "Kamakura of Shinshu," Bessho Onsen is the oldest hot spring town in Shinshu, with a history so long that it even appears in The Pillow Book of the Heian period. Its streets evoke the Japan of old, lined with atmospheric inns and shops where you can forget everyday life and unwind at a gentle pace. The highlight of a stroll is touring the ancient temples: Anraku-ji, home to the National Treasure "Octagonal Three-Story Pagoda," the only wooden octagonal pagoda in Japan, and Kitamuki Kannon, which stands facing Zenko-ji. Walking with a deep sense of history all around you makes for a rich and rewarding adult getaway. The sulfur springs are renowned as a "beauty bath" that leaves skin silky smooth, which makes them especially popular with women. Three public bathhouses (Oyu, Daishi-yu and Ishi-yu) are scattered around town and cost only about 300 yen to enter, and chatting with the friendly locals is part of the fun. There is also a free foot bath called "Nanakuri," a handy spot to relax between sights. Whether you are traveling solo for some quiet time with yourself, or enjoying history and hot spring hopping with close friends or family, Bessho Onsen is easy to reach from central Tokyo by changing from the Hokuriku Shinkansen to a local line, and its beauty in every season continues to captivate visitors.
Last updated March 28, 2026