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

Tateshina Onsen Ishiyasunoyu

Tateshina Onsen Ishiyasunoyu

5490-5, Kitayama, Chino City, Nagano Pref.

An open-air bath with a refreshing breeze full of phytoncides in a larch forest on the Tateshina Plateau

Tateshina Onsen Ishiyasunoyu open-air bath
Tateshina Onsen Ishiyasunoyu exterior Tateshina Onsen Ishiyasunoyu open-air bath Tateshina Onsen Ishiyasunoyu open-air bath

A hot spring facility that uses a lot of wood, located in the cool Tateshina Plateau. The surrounding area is a larch forest where you can enjoy forest bathing at the same time.

A hot spring that springs out of a place that was originally an iron mine. The smell of iron can be felt from the hot water.

A large and small open-air bath with a pleasant breeze that blows through the forest. The sound of the wind swaying the trees and the songs of the birds are background music in a stillness unrelated to the noise of the city.

Location

Rating of access

0.5 pt(from Shinjuku)

→ How to rate access train

Area / Railway

Ko-shin-etsu Region
Nagano Pref.

JR Chuo Line

onsen

Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. Keio: 1 hr Keio Line ¥370
  • Takao Sta.JR: 2 hrs 50 min Chuo Line ¥2,640
  • Chino Sta. (East exit)Walk: 2 hrs 50 min 12.2 km (7.6 mi) Difference in elevation: 369 m (1211 ft)
  • Ishiyasunoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta.JR: 3 hrs 50 min Chuo Line ¥3,410
  • Chino Sta. (West exit) ALPICO Kotsu Bus: 26 - 31 min Mugikusa Toge Line or MARCHEN Kaido Bus ¥760
  • Tetsuzan Iriguchi Bus StopWalk: 14 min 1.1 km (0.7 mi) Difference in elevation: 37 m (121 ft)
  • Ishiyasunoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta.JR express: 2 hrs 20 min Azusa etc. Reserved seat ¥5,650
  • Chino Sta. (West exit) ALPICO Kotsu Bus: 31 min Kita Yatsugatake Ropeway Line ¥1,200
  • Tateshinako-mae Bus Stop Walk: 28 min 2.2 km (1.4 mi) Difference in elevation: -56 m (-184 ft)
  • Ishiyasunoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. (New South Gate) Walk: 2 min
  • Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (4th floor) Expressway bus: 2 hrs 10 min Kofu Ryuo Line ¥2,200
  • Kofu Sta.JR: 1 hr 05 min Chuo Line ¥1,170
  • Chino Sta. On-demand bus: 30 min NORAZA ¥700
  • Ishiyasunoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. (New South Gate) Walk: 2 min
  • Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (4th floor) Expressway bus: 3 hrs 20 min Tateshina Line ¥3,900
  • Yokoya-kyo Iriguchi Bus StopWalk: 15 min 1.2 km (0.7 mi) Difference in elevation: -48 m (-157 ft)
  • Ishiyasunoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. (New South Gate) Walk: 2 min
  • Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (4th floor) Expressway bus: 2 hrs 45 min Suwa Okaya Line ¥3,200
  • Chuodo Chino Bus StopTaxi: 30 min about ¥5,400
    13.1 km (8.1 mi)
  • Ishiyasunoyu
Routes from Tokyo
  • Shinjuku
  • Keio
  • Takao
  • JR
  • Chino
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 6 hrs 40 min ¥3,010

  • Shinjuku
  • JR
  • Chino
  • Bus
  • Tetsuzan Iriguchi
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs 30 - 35 min ¥4,170

  • Shinjuku
  • JR express
  • Chino
  • Bus
  • Tateshinako-mae
  • Walk
  • 3 hrs 19 min ¥6,850

  • Shinjuku
  • Expressway bus
  • Kofu
  • JR
  • Chino
  • On-demand bus
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs 47 min ¥4,070

  • Shinjuku
  • Expressway bus
  • Yokoya-kyo Iriguchi
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs 37 min ¥3,900

  • Shinjuku
  • Expressway bus
  • Chuodo Chino
  • Taxi
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs 17 min ¥8,600

  • 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.
  • ALPICO Kotsu route buses often operate only during certain seasons or on specific days.
    bus route Summer timetable [PDF] Winter timetable [PDF]
    Kita Yatsugatake Ropeway Line Apr. 27, 2024 - Oct. 28, 2024 -
    Oku-tateshina Shibunoyu Line Apr. 27, 2024 - Oct. 28, 2024 -
    Mugikusa Toge Line Jul. 13 - Oct. 20, 2024 No service
    MARCHEN Kaido Bus Apr. 27, 2024 - Nov. 5, 2024 -
  • Chino City operates the AI Shared On-demand Bus called "NORAZA". Travelers who are not Chino citizens can also use it. The fare is 700 yen for more than 5 km (3.1 mi). First, you register as a user by phone or app, and then you make a reservation. (Tel: 0266-78-6318)
  • The Chuodo Chino Bus Stop on the Chuo Expressway is about 1.2 km (0.7 mi) from JR Chino Station. The Expressway Bus Suwa Okaya Line has some buses to Chino Station, and they will arrive there at night.
  • 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 Ishiyasunoyu

(Directions from Tetsuzan Iriguchi Bus Stop)
  1. Go north at the crossroad with the bus stop. (Turn right in the direction of the bus. There is an information board indicating 900 m (2953 ft) to Ishiyasunoyu.) Turn right at T-junction and go straight for a while
  2. Enter the gate where there is a signboard for Ishiyasunoyu

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.

It's in summer. Nishi-san and Kita-san have decided to go to a cool plateau because they could not endure the heat in Tokyo. This time, they have visited to a hot spring in Tateshina Plateau, Shinshu. Go to Chino Station on the JR Chuo Line, then get on the bus.

MARCHEN Kaido Bus

MARCHEN Kaido Bus

Oh, the bus has come. Boy, As the name MARCHEN Kaido bus, it's like in a fairy tale.

It's good to be retro taste.

The bus goes through the city and up toward Yatsugatake. Nishi-san and Kita-san who get off at Tetsuzan Iriguchi Bus Stop.

It's cool! So different from Tokyo!

Right. No moisture, good air.

Ishiyasunoyu is a hot spring that springs from the site of the Suwa Iron Mountain. It has opened in 1996.

Ishiyasunoyu entrance, Tateshina Onsen

Entrance (Gate)

How high is the elevation around here?

I think it's quite high. Yatsugatake is just near.

The bright path while looking at the forest made walking feel shorter. Nishi-san and Kita-san were led to the songs of the birds and have arrived at Ishiyasunoyu. Ishiyasunoyu has lined several wooden buildings, such as a break room, a women's bath, a men's bath.

Ishiyasunoyu exterior, Tateshina Onsen

Exterior

Oh, It's really in the woods.

The buildings have to match the surrounding scenery.

I'm glad that the weather is fine today. It would be tough here on rainy or windy days.

That's right. I don't want to come here in bad weather. And, night too.

If you come at night, you'll get lost before arriving here.

Immediately to the bathing room. This facility has no indoor bath. It has an open-air bath with a roof and an open-air bath without a roof. The open-air bath with a roof is a wooden building without walls, and its bathtub made of rocks.

Ishiyasunoyu Open-air bath with a roof, Tateshina Onsen

Open-air bath with a roof

Open-air baths only. It's irresistible for those who like the open-air bath.

Exactly. Open-air baths are the right answer to take advantage of this location.

Because there is no wall in this timber frame, it feels like a feeling of liberation!

I agree. When it comes to hot springs in the city, there is a cramped sense while saying that it is an open-air bath.

The elevation here is about 1,200 m (3,937 ft).

Ishiyasunoyu View from the open-air bath with a roof, Tateshina Onsen

View from the open-air bath with a roof

In that regard, here is spacious, isn't it? An open-air bath with a view of the forest! It's a pretty good hot spring, you know.

Originally it was an iron mine, so it seems that the water contains iron. It's not a flowing, but I think it's a fairly unique hot water.

The combination is so good which of the greenery of this forest, the cool breeze and the open-air bath.

Next, the two went to an open-air bath without a roof.

Ishiyasunoyu Open-air bath without a roof, Tateshina Onsen

Open-air bath without a roof

Without a roof, so the water color is easy to see. It's green, so it seems like it has a lot of iron, just as I expected.

Gee, is that right? ...Oh, this one is more lukewarm. I like this much temperature.

But, despite the large site, the bathtub is not that big.

The sky is big instead! And bright blue sky! What a nice weather!

Yeah, but ... the weather is too sunny and the direct sunlight isn't dazzling?

What are you saying? Direct sunlight isn't a big deal!

... So?

... Actually, It's a bit dazzling ...

There's nothing to block out the sunlight here, so all you can bathe the ultraviolet light.

... Oh, I needed a hat and sunglasses ...

Ishiyasunoyu break room, Tateshina Onsen

Break room

After getting out of the bath, take a break at the break room. The cool breeze of Tateshina Plateau, which comes in through the open windows, is a natural air conditioner. After hydration and sweating dry off, then Nishi-san and Kita-san have headed to the next hot spring. (→ Continue to Oku-tateshina Onsen Yamanoyado Meiji-onsen)

(August 2015)

 

Impression & rating

The bath water is not fresh, but you can smell of iron. Impression not bad including surrounding environment.

2.0 pt

Impression & rating

An open-air bath surrounded by a natural forest has a great healing effect. I recommend if the season and weather are good.

3.0 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
5490-5, Kitayama, Chino City, Nagano Pref.
Phone
domestic: 0266-77-2386
international: +81-266-77-2386
Website
Ishiyasunoyu
Bathing hours
[April to Octobers]
9:00 - 21:00
(Last entry at 20:00)
[November to March]
10:00 - 20:00
(Last entry at 19:00)
Close days
1st and 3rd Wednesdays (If it's a public holiday, closed the next day.)
No close day during August, Year-end and New Year's holidays (However, confirm when snow falls or when the minimum temperature drops below freezing)
Charge
Adults: ¥ 520 / Elementary school students: ¥ 310 / Under elementary school: free of charge
Baths
Gender-separated open-air bath
Equipments
No shampoo

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

(Survey date: Mar. 8, 2011)

Spring quality
Sodium - Chloride / Hydrogen carbonate spring (Hypotonic Weak alkaline High temperature spring)
Gushing place
5483-7, Nagaone, Kitayama, Chino City, Nagano Pref.
Temperature
59.5 ℃ (139.1 ℉)
[air temperature: 1 ℃ (33.8 ℉)]
pH value
7.78
Total ingredients
1.6118 g / kg
Perception
Pale yellow, with a slight hydrogen sulfide odor

Today's Ekiben

Niwattori Chicken Bowl of Yatsugatake Farm by Marumasa
The appearance of Niwattori Chicken Bowl of Yatsugatake Farm by Marumasa The whole of Niwattori Chicken Bowl of Yatsugatake Farm by Marumasa

"Niwattori " Chicken Bowl of Yatsugatake Farm

(Purchased at Chino Station)

A beautiful ekiben which chicken soboro and egg soboro laid on rice. For an ekiben, It was a modest seasoning, with a rustic and homely impression. According to Marumasa's website, "Using cage-free chickens at Yatsugatake Farm, and nostalgic seasoning".

« contents »
Tea rice, Chicken soboro, Sweet green pepper, Egg soboro, Chicken and potato dumpling with green onion sauce, Shiitake mashrooms, Fried burdock and carrot, Andes red potato, Red turnip radish, Pickles celery-marinated

(¥ 900) (→ 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

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