Onsen · Tokyo & Around

Kinugawa Onsen

Nikko, Tochigi♨ Alkaline simple spring

Overview

A hot spring area with hotels and ryokan lining the Kinugawa River. With easy access, about 2 hours from Asakusa by limited express, it is a convenient location to combine with sightseeing in Nikko. Day-use bathing means using the large baths at hotels, and there is also a free footbath in front of the station.

The water is an alkaline simple spring, introduced as a gentle, skin-beautifying bath. You can enjoy day-use bathing in the large baths of hotels, and the Kinuta no Yu footbath in front of Kinugawa-Onsen Station is a handy stop while waiting for your train. From spring to autumn, you can also enjoy the Kinugawa Line river boat ride and walks across suspension bridges.

Location: Nikko, Tochigi
Best time to visit: Mid-April to late November, when the Kinugawa Line river boat ride operates
Official website: https://www.nikko-kankou.org/

Nearby area

NikkoWeather and what to wear in Nikko →

Tickets & tours you can book in advancePR

Day-Use Baths

Baths you can visit without staying

Public baths, day-use spas and foot baths open to non-staying visitors.

Ryokan day-use bath

Kinugawa Onsen Hotel Keikoku no Yu

Price: Adults ¥1,650, children (ages 3–12) ¥880, plus ¥50 bathing tax (as of October 2026)
Hours: 14:00–17:00
Tattoos: Not allowed in principle (allowed if covered with tattoo cover stickers or similar)
Private bath: Private bath available (price not listed)
Note: Day-use bathing may not be accepted depending on how busy the hotel is with overnight guests
Official site: https://www.kinugawaonsenhotel.com/spa/keikoku.php

Ryokan day-use bath

Premium Kinugawa Kanko Hotel

Price: Adults: weekdays ¥2,200, weekends and holidays ¥2,400, peak days ¥2,600; elementary school students ¥1,100–¥1,300 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 7:00–10:00, 15:00–24:00 (last admission 22:00)
Tattoos: Not allowed in principle (allowed if fully covered with the designated cover stickers, sold for a fee)
Note: No reservation needed
Official site: https://www.ooedoonsen.jp/kinugawa-kanko/day_trip/

Foot bath

Kinuta no Yu (footbath)

Price: Free (as of October 2026)
Hours: 9:00–18:00 (varies by season)
Closed: Open all year round
Note: In front of Kinugawa-Onsen Station
Official site: https://www.city.nikko.lg.jp/kanko_bunka_sports/activity/2/3/6181.html

Foot bath

Kinuko no Yu (footbath)

Price: Free (as of October 2026)
Note: At the foot of Kurogane Bridge. About 19 minutes on foot from Kinugawa-Onsen Station
Official site: https://www.nikko-kankou.org/spot/61

Prices and hours are as of the date shown and may change, with occasional closures. Check each facility’s official website before you go.

🖋 If you have tattoos

Varies by facility, so please check with each one. Some facilities allow bathing if tattoos are covered with cover stickers

🔒 Private baths and in-room baths

Kinugawa Onsen Hotel has a private bath (also suggested as an option for guests who cannot cover their tattoos)

Spring

Spring type and features

♨ Alkaline simple spring

The Nikko City Tourism Association introduces it as a gentle ‘bath for beautiful skin’

Etiquette

Bathing etiquette

✓Rinse yourself with hot water (kakeyu) and wash your body before getting into the bath
✓Do not put your towel in the bath water
✓Tie up long hair so it does not touch the water
✓Do not take photos in the bathing area

Sights

Nearby sights

Kinugawa Line River Boat Ride

A boat ride down the gorge. Operates from mid-April to late November; reservations recommended

Tateiwa Suspension Bridge

A suspension bridge about 140m long and 37m high, with a sweeping view of the gorge

Kinugawa Fureai Bridge

Opened in 1999. Features stairway art of Kinuta, the local mascot

Tips

Good to know

!Day-use bathing at hotels may not be accepted on some days due to crowding
!The NIKKO PASS all area covers travel to Kinugawa Onsen, but the world heritage area does not
!The SL Taiju steam train takes about 36 minutes from Shimo-Imaichi to Kinugawa Onsen

Access

Nearest station / bus stop: Kinugawa-Onsen Station (Tobu Kinugawa Line)
From major cities and airports: Asakusa: Tobu Limited Express SPACIA X (About 2 hours)
Shinjuku: JR-Tobu through limited express (special trains on limited operating days) (About 120 minutes)

Open in Google Maps ↗

Travel Passes

Travel passes for getting there

🚄 JR

JR TOKYO Wide Pass

Tokyo & Around ・ 3 consecutive days from the first day of use

From ¥16,000

🎫 Combo ticket

NIKKO PASS

Tokyo & Around ・ world heritage area is valid for 2 consecutive days, all area for 4 consecutive days

From ¥3,000

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Kinugawa OnsenPR

PRSee more places to stay near Kinugawa Onsen on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events and festivals in Nikko

May

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Grand Spring Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Nikko

Every year on May 17 and 18 (fixed dates as a Shinto ritual)

2027: May 17 (Mon) – May 18 (Tue)

See all events →

Attractions

Attractions in Nikko

Theme park

EDO WONDERLAND Nikko Edomura

Tokyo & Around ・ Nikko / Kinugawa

A cultural theme park that recreates an Edo-period townscape. Stroll through a town where staff dressed as villagers go about their lives, watch plays and ninja shows, and experience Edo culture firsthand. Popular with international visitors, it's a place to both watch and join in.

Theme park

TOBU WORLD SQUARE

Tokyo & Around ・ Kinugawa

A miniature theme park in Kinugawa Onsen that recreates famous buildings and World Heritage Sites at 1/25 scale. With 102 structures from 22 countries and regions, you can feel like you're traveling around the world in about half a day. Dogs are also welcome.

See all attractions →

Onsen

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♨ Day use Adults: weekdays ¥1,700, weekends and holidays ¥2,000; elementary school students ¥1,000 (as of October 2026)

Private baths

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♨ Day use Adults ¥800, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥400 (as of October 2026)

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♨ Day use Adults ¥800, children ¥400 (as of October 2026)

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Atami Onsen

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♨ Day use Adults (junior high school and up): weekdays ¥3,080, weekends and holidays ¥3,410; children (age 4 to elementary school): weekdays ¥2,310, weekends and holidays ¥2,530; plus ¥150 bathing tax (as of October 2026)

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Shuzenji Onsen

Tokyo & Around ・ Izu, Shizuoka

♨ Day use Adults (junior high school and up) ¥700, elementary school students ¥400 (as of October 2026)

See all onsen towns →

Prices, hours, tattoo policies and spring types are based on official facility, municipal and tourism association information. They can change, so check the official websites before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-08

Kinugawa Onsen

Overview