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

Chichibu Kawabata-onsen Bonnoyu

Chichibu Kawabata-onsen Bonnoyu

309-1, Obashira, Chichibu City, Saitama Pref.

Plenty of negative ions. One of the finest sodium hydrocarbonate springs in Japan, standing on the riverside of the clear stream of Arakawa River

Bonnoyu and Arakawa River
Bonnoyu exterior Bonnoyu indoor bath Bonnoyu open-air bath

Just close to the babbling of Arakawa River. From the bath, you can see the river surface through the trees, and enjoy the hot spring in an environment full of negative ions.

The spring quality is the finest sodium hydrocarbonate leading in Japan. It is said to have the effect of smoothing the skin, so it's called "Water of beautiful skin".

The related facility "Splash Garden Chichibu" is fully equipped with campsites, bungalows and Dog Park. They provides rental service of tents, blankets, barbecue sets and so on, so you can easily enjoy the nature of Chichibu by hand.

  • Click to the description page

You should make a reservation in advance to take a bedrock bathing.

Location

Rating of access

2.5 pt(from Ikebukuro)

→ How to rate access train

Area / Railway

Kanto Region
Saitama Pref.

Chichibu Railway

onsen

Route from Tokyo (Ikebukuro)
  • Ikebukuro Sta. Tobu: 1 hr 40 min Tojo Line ¥ 910
  • Yorii Sta. Chichibu Railway: 25 min ¥ 550
  • Minano Sta.Walk: 27 min 2 km (1.2 mi) Max difference in elevation: 31 m (102 ft)
  • Bonnoyu
Route from Tokyo (Ikebukuro)
  • Ikebukuro Sta. Tobu: 1 hr 40 min Tojo Line ¥ 910
  • Yorii Sta. Chichibu Railway SL: 50 min Non-reserved seat ¥ 1,070
  • Minano Sta.Walk: 8 min 0.6 km (0.4 mi)
  • Minano Town Hall
    (Industrial Tourism Division) Bicycle rental: 14 min 2.6 km (1.6 mi) ¥ 300 / 2 hrs -
  • Bonnoyu
Route from Tokyo (Ikebukuro)
  • Ikebukuro Sta.JR: 1 hr 10 min Takasaki Line ¥ 990
  • Kumagaya Sta. Chichibu Railway SL: 2 hrs Reserved seat ¥ 1,620
  • Chichibu Sta. Seibu Bus: about 23 min Chichibu Yoshida Line ¥ 310
  • Obashira Bus StopWalk: 5 min 0.4 km (0.2 mi)
  • Bonnoyu
Route from Tokyo (Ikebukuro)
  • Ikebukuro Sta. Seibu: 1 hr 50 min Seibu Ikebukuro Line - Seibu Chichibu Line ¥ 790
  • Seibu Chichibu Sta. Seibu Bus: about 30 min Chichibu Yoshida Line ¥ 360
  • Obashira Bus StopWalk: 5 min 0.4 km (0.2 mi)
  • Bonnoyu
Route from Tokyo (Ikebukuro)
  • Ikebukuro Sta. Seibu express: 1 hr 25 min Chichibu Reserved seat ¥ 1,500
  • Seibu Chichibu Sta.Walk: 5 min 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
  • Ohanabatake Sta. Chichibu Railway: 20 min ¥ 390
  • Minano Sta. Courtesy bus: 10 min 2 km (1.2 mi)
  • Bonnoyu
Routes from Tokyo
  • Ikebukuro
  • Tobu
  • Yorii
  • Chichibu Railway
  • Minano
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 32 min ¥ 1,460

  • Ikebukuro
  • Tobu
  • Yorii
  • Chichibu Railway SL
  • Minano
  • Bicycle rental
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 52 min ¥ 2,280

  • Ikebukuro
  • JR
  • Kumagaya
  • Chichibu Railway SL
  • Chichibu
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs 38 min ¥ 2,920

  • Ikebukuro
  • Seibu
  • Seibu Chichibu
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 25 min ¥ 1,150

  • Ikebukuro
  • Seibu express
  • Seibu Chichibu
  • Chichibu Railway
  • Minano
  • Courtesy bus
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 00 min ¥ 1,890

  • Chichibu Railway's Unlimited ride tickets can be used on all or part of Chichibu Railway. And you get discounts and benefits at sponsorship shops. Chichibu Railway also operates SL Paleo Express and Bicycle Train. In addition, IC card is not available in Chichibu Railway.
  • There is a bicycle rental service called "Saikurutto Chichibu". Rental stations (bicycle stations) are located in front of Seibu Chichibu Station, Nagatoro Station and Minano Town Hall etc. You can return it to the bicycle station other than the place where you borrowed. (However, it is charged separately.) The service hours are 9:00-17:00 (last reception at 15:00). For inquiries, contact the Chichibu Regional Hospitality Tourism Corporation (Tel: 0494-26-6260).
  • For the Seibu Bus Chichibu Yoshida Line, please refer to the Seibu Bus Chichibu area. (for Sadamine / Minano Yoshida Sogo Shisho.) By the way, Obashira Bus Stop is the bus stop next to the Suwabashi Bus Stop. (It is about 1 minute by bus from Obashira to Suwabashi.)
  • Bonnoyu picks you up from Minano Station only on weekdays, and you need to reserve by the day before.
  • 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 Bonnoyu

(Directions from Minano Sta.)
  1. Exit the station and turn right at the end (in front of Yoshimiya). Walk for a while along the road
  2. Enter the left path 60 m (197 ft) before the bridge
  3. Cross the bridge
  4. If you are going on a public road, turn left at the traffic light after the bridge, then turn left again. Go down the downhill, go through under the bridge, and go down to the riverside

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.

Nishi-san and Kita-san are heading to Chichibu-Kawabata Onsen Bonnoyu today. They walk from Minano Station of Chichibu Railway and have come to the bridge across Arakawa River.

Bonnoyu and Arakawa River

Bonnoyu and Arakawa River

This is THAT Arakawa ... It's absolutely different from Arakawa seeing in Tokyo .... Oh! Maybe, Bonnoyu is that?

Yeah, right.

It's really Kawabata! The name of Kawabata-onsen is just like that, you know.

Exactly. And you can see the river from the bath.

This Arakawa is the upper stream of Arakawa flowing through Tokyo.

Bonnoyu exterior

Exterior

After crossing the bridge, go down the road to the riverbed of Arakawa River and you will arrive at Bonnoyu. The exterior is Japanese style with a tiled roof and the inside of the facility is all tatami-mat. There are many descriptions on the wall of the corridor leading to the bathing room.

Oh? There's a lot of stickers. Well ... This says, both indoor and open-air baths are "Flowing type Circulating bath". Circulating types and Flowing types are not compatible, you know. What means?

Well, I don't know ... But in short, it's a circulating.

Bonnoyu indoor bath

Indoor bath

The end of the corridor is the entrance to the bathing room. First, the indoor bath.

What a sober interior. should I say it's simple, or countryside ...

Hahaha. Well, I don't deny it. But it's fiting well the land here, so not bad.

Bonnoyu view from the bathing room window

View from the bathing room window

But I like the big window. It's a good point that you can enjoy the view in the bathtub.

And this water is quite slimy. Even though the circulating, this is a good hot water.

That's "Flowing type Circulating bath". Though I don't know what it means.

Bonnoyu Hot water spout

Hot water spout

Other than the indoor bath, the facility has a footbath sauna and an open-air bath.

Okay, then, why don't you go to open-air bath!

Ah, please alone. I only need indoor bath.

Oh, why?

The open-air bath is not a hot spring.

What? So? But since it looks like have a good view, so let's get in a little!

Well ... Then ... A little ...

Bonnoyu has opened in April 2007.

According to the description, "The filtration device is the best compact filter in Japan (Kajino style) with a very high capacity and excellent in sanitary control."

Then, Kita-san who loves open-air baths, and Nishi-san who is reluctant, come out to the open-air bath.

Bonnoyu open-air bath

Open-air bath

Oh, that's what is refreshing.

Well, yes, but the water is just water ...

This is what Arakawa is. I can't imagine it from Arakawa in Tokyo. The air is good too.

Well, yes, but a little chlorine smell ...

After all, open-air baths are nice, you know!

Really, I wonder why they didn't make to draw onsen into the open-air bath ...

Nishi-san and Kita-san, their tastes differ, but they enjoyed the hot springs of Bonnoyu. After a short autumn leaves' season, a winter in Chichibu is just around the corner.

(November 2013)

Instead as such, Bonnoyu says, the open-air bath uses two types of ore, and the ore's energy has a mysterious power.

Impression & rating

It's a shame that it's a circulating type, but you can still enjoy the good quality of the spring.

1.5 pt

Impression & rating

It feels like simple and idyllic. It is good to rest while watching the river in the open-air bath.

2.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
309-1, Obashira, Chichibu City, Saitama Pref.
Phone
domestic: 0494-62-0620
international: +81-494-62-0620
Website
Chichibu Kawabata-onsen Bonnoyu
Bathing hours
9:00 - 22:00
(Last entry at 21:00)
Regular holiday
Open all year round
Charge
Adult: ¥ 880 (¥ 980 on Sat.,Sun. and Holidays) /
4 years old - Elementary school student: ¥ 600 (¥ 750 on Sat.,Sun. and Holidays) /
Under 3 years old: ¥ 350 (¥ 500 on Sat.,Sun. and Holidays)
[after 19:00]
Adult: ¥ 780 (¥ 930 on Sat.,Sun. and Holidays) /
4 years old - Elementary school student: ¥ 550 (¥ 700 on Sat.,Sun. and Holidays) /
Under 3 years old: ¥ 250 (¥ 470 on Sat.,Sun. and Holidays)
[Bedrock bathing]
(reservation required, elementary school students and under, pregnant women are not available) ¥ 300 / 30 min
Baths
Gender-separated indoor bath, Gender-separated open-air bath, Bedrock bathing
Facilities
There are dressing room lockers. (100 yen coin required, paid) There are valuables lockers in the corridor. (100 yen coin required, return type)
Remarks
Tattoos are not allowed

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

Mixed spring (Bonnoyu No.1 well, Bonnoyu No.2 well)

(Survey date: Nov. 1, 2006)

Spring quality
Sodium - Chloride / Hydrogen carbonate spring (Hypotonic Alkaline Cold spring)
Source
309-1, Aza-Kawabata, Oaza-Obashira, Chichibu City, Saitama Pref.
Temperature
17.4 ℃ (63.3 ℉)
[air temperature: 15 ℃ (59 ℉)]
Volume
50 L / min (Pumping after drilling)
(According to a hot spring analysis report on July 14, 1999, 480 L / min)
pH value
8.9
Total ingredients
2.569 g / kg
Perception
Colorless, clear, almost tasteless, slight smell of hydrogen sulfide, gas emission

Bonnoyu No.1 well

(Survey date: Jun. 27, 2000)

Spring quality
Sodium - Chloride / Hydrogen carbonate spring (Hypotonic Alkaline Cold spring)
Source
309-1, Aza-Kawabata, Oaza-Obashira, Chichibu City, Saitama Pref.
Temperature
16.1 ℃ (61.0 ℉)
[air temperature: 21 ℃ (69.8 ℉)]
Volume
12 L / min (Pumping after drilling)
(According to a hot spring analysis report on July 14, 1999, 480 L / min)
pH value
8.6
Total ingredients
3.119 g / kg
Perception
Slightly cloudy, slightly salty, odorless, with gas bubbles

Bonnoyu No.2 well

(Survey date: Jun. 27, 2000)

Spring quality
Sodium - Chloride / Hydrogen carbonate spring (Hypotonic Alkaline Cold spring)
Source
309-1, Aza-Kawabata, Oaza-Obashira, Chichibu City, Saitama Pref.
Temperature
16.5 ℃ (61.7 ℉)
[air temperature: 20 ℃ (68 ℉)]
Volume
11 L / min (Pumping after drilling)
(According to a hot spring analysis report on July 14, 1999, 480 L / min)
pH value
9.1
Total ingredients
1.567 g / kg
Perception
Colorless, clear, slightly salty, slightly hydrogen sulfide smell

Today's Detour

Chichibu Railway SL Paleo Express

Chichibu Railway SL Paleo Express

Chichibu Railway operates SL mainly on Saturdays and Sundays. If you are traveling Chichibu area leisurely, you should definitely ride. ( Chichibu Railway SL Paleo Express)

  • 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

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Kanto Region

Kyushu Region

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