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

Yatsugatake Jomon Tennen-onsen Togariishinoyu

Yatsugatake Jomon Tennen-onsen Togariishinoyu

10246-1, Toyohira, Chino City, Nagano Pref.

A wild open-air bath in the Jomon period that suddenly appears in the forest. Healed by the green cloudy hot water and the nature of the foot of Yatsugatake

Togariishinoyu open-air bath
Togariishinoyu hot water for washing off before bathing Togariishinoyu open-air bath Togariishinoyu break room

Sulfate, which is said to have a detoxifying effect, is 962.5 mg per kg. Its concentration is among the highest in the world. In addition, bicarbonate ions and sulfate ions are exquisitely contained in a well-balanced.

An open-air bath supervised by GOTO Tetsuya, a master of making open-air baths, famous for Kurokawa Onsen. A rocks bathtub inspired by Jomon has a full of wild atomosphere. You can feel the songs of birds and the wind blowing through the trees, and enjoy the nature of the foot of Yatsugatake while soaking in hot water.

Drinking onsen water is OK at "Tateshina Executive House". You can rest comfortably in the interior with plenty of wood.

Location

Rating of access

0.5 pt(from Shinjuku)

→ How to rate access train

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: 2 hrs 50 min Chuo Line ¥ 2,640
  • Chino Sta. (East exit) Walk: 2 hrs 15 min10 km (6.2 mi) Difference in elevation: 348 m (1142 ft)
  • Togariishinoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta.JR: 3 hrs 50 min Chuo Line ¥ 3,410
  • Chino Sta. (West exit) ALPICO Kotsu Bus: 23 min Oku-tateshina Shibunoyu Line or MARCHEN Kaido Bus or Tateshina Kogen Round Bus ¥ 640
  • Hiromi Bus Stop Walk: 7 min0.6 km (0.4 mi)
  • Togariishinoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. JR express: 2 hrs 20 min Azusa etc. Reserved seat ¥ 5,650
  • Chino Sta. On-demand bus: 25 min NORAZA ¥ 700
  • around Hiromi Bus Stop Walk: 7 min0.6 km (0.4 mi)
  • Togariishinoyu
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 Stop Walk: 1 hr 15 min5.8 km (3.6 mi) Max difference in elevation: 105 m (344 ft)
  • Togariishinoyu
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 Stop ALPICO Kotsu Bus: 21 min MARCHEN Kaido Bus or Tateshina Kogen Round Bus ¥ 430
  • Hiromi Bus Stop Walk: 7 min0.6 km (0.4 mi)
  • Togariishinoyu
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 Stop Taxi: 30 minabout ¥ 4,600
    11 km (6.8 mi)
  • Togariishinoyu
Routes from Tokyo
  • Shinjuku
  • Keio
  • Takao
  • JR
  • Chino
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 6 hrs 05 min ¥ 3,010

  • Shinjuku
  • JR
  • Chino
  • Bus
  • Hiromi
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs 20 min ¥ 4,050

  • Shinjuku
  • JR express
  • Chino
  • On-demand bus
  • Hiromi
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 52 min ¥ 6,350

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

  • Shinjuku
  • Expressway bus
  • Yokoya-kyo Iriguchi
  • Bus
  • Hiromi
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs 50 min ¥ 4,330

  • Shinjuku
  • Expressway bus
  • Chuodo Chino
  • Taxi
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs 17 min ¥ 7,800

  • 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. 30, 2023 -
    Oku-tateshina Shibunoyu Line Apr. 27, 2024 - Oct. 30, 2023 -
    Mugikusa Toge Line Jul. 13 - Oct. 20, 2024 No service
    MARCHEN Kaido Bus Apr. 27, 2024 - Nov. 6, 2023 -
  • 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)
  • Hiromi Bus Stop is right next to "Garden Kitchen POAN".
  • 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 Togariishinoyu

(Directions from Hiromi Bus Stop)
  1. 380 m (1247 ft) east (in the direction of Yatsugatake) from the bus stop
  2. Turn right at the signboard of "JOMON-U TRA"
  3. Go to the right where the road turns to the left

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.

One day in September, when the lingering summer heat doesn't seems to decline. To avoid the summer heat in Tokyo, Nishi-san and Kita-san have come to Chino City, Nagano Prefecture. Then now, the two are heading for "Togariishinoyu". They get off at Hiromi Bus Stop and are walking down the paved road where the dazzling sunlight is reflected, toward Yatsugatake.

Oops, it's hot ... I thought it would be cool here.

Exactly, this temperature is not different from Tokyo.

Are we still walking a lot?

No, it's already around here ... Oh, right at that sign.

Turn right to the gravel road at the signboard of "JOMON-U-TRA". Trees growing on both sides of the road make a good shade.

I feel relieved with this shaded road. It's a bit cool.

After all, it's very different just not being in direct sunlight.

Oh, the way down here?

Togariishinoyu signboard

Signboard

... no, no! Turn right at here. There's an information board.

Oh! It's hard to find! How did you find out it? The letters are terrible too.

No, not terrible, it's unique ... maybe.

If you follow the road on the right, you will find a dead end, a building on the left and a parking lot on the right.

 

Togariishinoyu Parking lot side entrance of the reception building

Parking lot side entrance of the reception building

This is ... here. There is no other building. Is this the entrance?

I think so.

Anyone is there? Don't tell me it's a day off today ...

Fortunately, it's not a day off. The open-air bath that Nishi-san and Kita-san are aiming for is located further back in the parking lot.

Togariishinoyu little path to the open-air bath

Little path to the open-air bath

It's just a trail.

I think they have the intention trying to avoid artificial things as much as possible. The Jomon period is the theme, isn't it?

I see. I'm getting a little more interesting.

I'm excited about what's ahead of this trail.

The reception building of Togariishinoyu has two entrances: A tennis court side and a parking lot side. The tennis court side is a main entrance, but the parking lot side is convenient for taking the open-air bath.

Togariishinoyu main entrance

Main entrance

After walking for some time, they saw a wall made of reeds and a banner that would indicate the entrance to the bathing room. It looks like a women's bath in the foreground and a men's bath in the back.

Togariishinoyu the path to the open-air bath

Women's bath on the left, men's bath on the back

Well, on one hand it's natural-friendly, but on the other hand it's rat-trap, you know.

At any rate, the theme is the Jomon period.

Passing through the banner, there is an undressing room like an arbor. Of course, there are no civilized tools such as coin lockers. And, an open-air bath with green cloudy water appeares in front of the forest.

Togariishinoyu open-air bath

Open-air bath

Wow, that's great!

This is exactly the taste of the open-air bath created in the old days of Jomon.

Speaking of which, every bath in the Jomon period was like this.

... Have you ever seen it?

After kakeyu (hot water for washing off before bathing), the two get into the bath immediately.

Togariishinoyu hot water for washing off before bathing

Kakeyu (hot water for washing off before bathing)

Oh, it's not so hot. I feel good this temperature in summer ... Oh! It's dangerous!

What? What happened?

Slipped. It was about to fall. The bottom of this bathtub is slimy, you know.

Right. Exactly, this must slip and fall if you're not careful.

The men's bath is in the back, the women's is in the front. They used to be a daily change for men's and women's, but now it is fixed.

Don't they clean? Is this because of Jomon too?

I can't say. But this water is greenish. Does it have a lot of iron? It's a fresh feeling and it's pretty good.

Speaking of fresh, the air here. Indeed, that's surrounded by woods, so much oxygen, you know.

Well, I feel like that. ... Oh, the water at the spout has a bit of like sulfur odor. And ... Yeah, the taste is iron or mineral-like.

Togariishinoyu open-air bath and undressing room

The undressing room seen from the open-air bath

And this spout will be a waterfall shower too.

Ah, you can do that.

In a cool breeze that blows through the forest, the lukewarm water is perfect for a long bath.

Togariishinoyu hot water spout

Hot water spout

But it's so quiet ... Just the sound of water and the noise of trees ...

This sense of free is rare. Around the bathtub has no fences, directly a forest.

Oh! Deer!

What!? Where!?

Between those trees. For a moment, though.

Is it really a deer?

Not a size of dog, and I think that silhouette is probably a deer ...

Well, in this forest, no wonder there are deers.

Kita-san feels lucky being able to see a deer for a moment. After the deer leaves, the forest has returned to just the sound of water and the noise of trees, as if nothing had happened.

Togariishinoyu break room in Tateshina Executive House

Break room (in Tateshina Executive House)

(September 2018)

We don't know the frequency of cleaning. But according to a leaflet called "Request for bathing" of Togariishinoyu, "Since this natural hot spring with a flowing water has a strong power to revive creatures, so the algae like iwanori grows in few hours. Therefore, there may be places where the bath bottom and surrounding rocks can be slimy."

Impression & rating

Hot water with a strong presence with iron taste, mineral taste and a slight sulfur smell. It is a good hot spring that has a freshness.

3.5 pt

Impression & rating

I really like a natural taste open-air bath, like this hot spring. It's one of the best onsen except the slimy bottom of the bathtub.

3.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
10246-1, Toyohira, Chino City, Nagano Pref.
(In Tateshina Executive House)
Phone
domestic: 0266-76-5211
international: +81-266-76-5211
[Metropolitan area office]
domestic: 044-541-2455
international: +81-44-541-2455
Web Site
Togariishinoyu
Bathing hours
[April to October]
10:00 - 17:00
(Last entry at 16:00)
[November to March]
10:00 - 16:00
(Last entry at 15:00)
Regular holiday
See " Day trip bathing schedule (calendar)" in Togariishinoyu official website. (Basically, it is closed on Tue and Wed, and it is sometimes closed on Mon and Thu.)
Charge
Adults: ¥ 1,050 /
5 - 12 years old: ¥ 850
Baths
Gender-separated open-air bath
Facilities
No shoes boxes, undressing room lockers.
Equipments
No faucet, shower, soap, shampoo etc.
Remarks
Tattoos are not allowed.

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

(Survey date: Jul. 5, 2007)

Spring quality
Sodium - Sulfate / Chloride spring (Hypotonic Neutral High temperature spring)
Source
10246-2, Aza-Togaku, Toyohira, Chino City, Nagano Pref.
Temperature
53.2 ℃ (127.8 ℉)
[air temperature: 22 ℃ (71.6 ℉)]
Volume
226 L / min (Pumping after drilling)
pH value
7.3
Total ingredients
2.753 g / kg
Perception
Almost colorless and clear, with bitterness, ironiness, saltiness, and slight hydrogen sulfide odor.

Today's Ekiben

Koshu pork cutlets sandwiches
The appearance of Koshu pork cutlets sandwiches The whole of Koshu pork cutlets sandwiches

Koshu pork cutlets sandwiches

(Purchased at Kobuchizawa Station)

The contents of the sandwiches are juicy deep-fried Koshu Fuji Sakura Pork loin cutlets and fresh cabbage. The cutlets are not a thick piece, but rather stacking a lot of sliced meat. So, it can be eaten softly even after several hours. The cutlets like a mille-feuille feels good with soft bread. If you want to enjoy the freshly made and crispy, you can also pre-order by phone and pick it up at Kobuchizawa Station. (¥ 750) (→ 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.
-