Tokyo's Nearby Hidden Gem: Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and find a tranquil retreat? Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku, located near Tokyo, is the perfect choice. Situated in Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, at 1899 Fujiwara, it is approximately a two-hour drive from Tokyo Station. Spanning nearly 800 square meters, Takaragawa Onsen boasts traditional Japanese-style architecture seamlessly blending with the surrounding natural beauty, creating a paradise-like atmosphere. The onsen features one indoor bath and four outdoor baths, divided into mixed-gender and women-only areas. The mixed-gender baths include Mahā-no-Yu, Hannya-no-Yu, and Kodakara-no-Yu. Mahā-no-Yu is the largest, operating 24 hours and accommodating up to 100 people. Hannya-no-Yu spans 80 square meters and is also open 24 hours. Kodakara-no-Yu, recently renovated, includes separate changing rooms for men and women and can host up to 200 bathers. The women-only bath, Mayā-no-Yu, features a cypress changing room and remains open year-round. All baths use natural underground spring water without any added water, heating, filtration, or chemicals. After soaking in the onsen, guests can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine at the on-site restaurant "Chikutei," which offers dishes like charcoal-grilled specialties and Joshu beef sukiyaki. Ingredients are locally sourced, ensuring freshness and flavor. However, some visitors have noted that the guest rooms and private bathrooms show signs of wear and could use renovation. To reach Takaragawa Onsen, travelers can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Jōmō-Kōgen Station and transfer to a bus, or opt for driving. From Tokyo's Nerima I.C. or Niigata's Nishi-Niigata I.C., it takes about 90 minutes to reach Minakami I.C., followed by a drive along National Route 291 and prefectural roads.