Shibu Onsen, a hot spring town in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture. There is an inn with a retro atmosphere that still uses an old-fashioned building called “Historical Inn Kanaguya”, which is also designated as a registered tangible cultural property.
Shibu Onsen Historical Inn Kajiya is a long-established hot spring inn located in Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano. Originally a blacksmith of Matsushiro Domain, it became an inn in 1758 because a hot spring springed up at this place accidentally during a disaster recovery. Because his predecessor was a blacksmith, the name of the inn was named “Kanaguya” (Metals Handler) by the head of Matsushiro Domain at the time.
“Kanaguya” owns four private springs and also has the right to use five hot springs. One of the attractions is that you can enjoy different springs and spring quality.
The hot water of the outdoor bath “Ryuzui open-air bath” is colorless and transparent and weakly alkaline. The spring quality is rich in sodium and calcium, so it is popular when it comes to “beautifying skin”.
The indoor Kamakura bath is a mixed hot spring of Jigokudani Araigawara and Terayu, and you can see hot-spring incrustations.
Roman bath is a Western style indoor bath inspired by a Roman fountain. Stained glass has a retro atmosphere, and there is a lot of iron and the color of the water looks a little cloudy yellow.
At Kanaguya, you can take a private bath for free. There is no need to make a reservation, and you can enter it when it is available. Let’s use the lock from the inside.
Shibu Onsen is said to have been discovered by Gyoki during the Nara period. This hot spring, which has been protected and loved by travelers and people in the city, welcomes you with a deep history. Why don’t you try the time slipping feeling while walking with clogs in yukata on the highway with cobblestones?
If you use public transportation, aim for Yudanaka Station. From Yudanaka Station, take a Nagaden bus for about 10 minutes. Get off at “Shibu Onsen” or “Wagoubashi” and walk 2 minutes. To Yudanaka Station, transfer to Nagano Electric Railway at Nagano Station. Therefore, it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Tokyo Station using Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Line.
A popular hot springs town with 37 sources
Kanaguya, a long-established inn in Shibu Onsen town in Nagano Prefecture. The overwhelming appearance that you want to take pictures intentionally draws your attention, but not only the appearance is amazing. Actually this is a sightseeing hotel full of fun.
“Shibu Onsen” known for its retro cityscape is a popular hot springs town with 37 sources. When going by train, first change to Nagano Electric Railway from JR Nagano Station where the Hokuriku Shinkansen passes and aim at the end Yudanaka station. From there, take the bus bound for “Kanbayashi Onsen” or “Shiga Kogen” for about 7 minutes to Shibu Onsen Town. It is “Kanaguya”, a well-established inn with a history of about 260 years, which draws a lot of attention among quaint spa towns.
Because “Saigetsurou” is made as an “independent house” for all the rooms, small windows are attached to the outer wall of the room, corridors that follow the room are made of stone, and it is decorated that the inside of the hall is considered as “outdoor”.
There are three public baths in the hotel, “Romantic Bathroom”, “Kamakura Bathroom” and “Ryuzui Outdoor Bathroom”. Moreover, it seems to be “all hot springs of different spring quality”. Of course, every hot water is “100% fresh hot spring water”. Not only the bathtub but also hot water from the faucet are all hot springs, which is a luxurious bath. There are five other private baths in the hotel, each of them can be used without reservation and free of charge. If they are free, you are fortunate. In a private space, you can enjoy a relaxing bath.
The Model of the famous movie “Spirited Away”
In the work of “Studio Ghibli” with unique atmosphere, “Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi” (“Spirited Away”) which was released in 2001 is an extreme popularity work marked a record high of more than 23 million audiences. It is said that the Kanaguya is the model of “Spirited Away”.
Most famous in this area
The Shibu Onsen Kanaguya is one of many hotels in Shibu Onsen town, Nagano.
It seems to be the hotel which is the most famous in this area with the history more than 200 years.
Tangible Cultural Properties
There are four buildings in the Kanaguya. It is said that a wooden 4-story building called “Saigetsurou” is a model of “Spirited Away” in that. This “Saigetsurou” was designated as Tangible Cultural Properties in 2003 .
Blacksmith’s in the past
The name to be called “Kanaguya” (metal goods shop) seems to be the trace that was a blacksmith’s in the past.
Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)
| Name: | Shibu Onsen Kanaguya (Hot Spring Hotel) |
| Adresse: | Hirao 2202 Shimotakaigun Yamanouchimachi, Nagano 381-0401 Japan |
| Access: | Nagano Dentetsu Nagano-sen line “Yudanaka-eki Station” (10 minutes by bus) (Courtesy bus service is available.) |
| Tel: | (+81) 269-33-3131 |
| Price: | Prices start at 20,520yen/per person/ per night (includes a full Japanese breakfast and dinner) Please refer the official web page. |
| Official site: | http://www.kanaguya.com/ |
Leave a Reply