Yunishigawa Onsen
湯西川温泉
A deep-mountain hot spring village that is said to have been a refuge for Heike clan survivors. In winter, the riverbed glows with snow huts, and local dishes are cooked on hearths.
Yunishigawa Onsen lies deep in the mountains upstream of the Kinugawa River. Legend says that descendants of the Taira clan, defeated at Dan-no-ura, hid here. Customs such as not flying carp streamers and not using drums and gongs are still preserved. The Heike Ochudo Folk Village displays thatched-roof traditional houses. During the Yunishigawa Onsen Snow Hut Festival in winter, hundreds of tiny snow hut candles light up the riverbank. The festival is listed in the Michelin Green Guide. Take the Yagan Railway from Kinugawa Onsen to Yunishigawa Onsen Station, then transfer to a bus for about 25 minutes. Services are infrequent, so plan to stay overnight.
Opening hours
Open all day; inn day-bath hours vary
Nearby sights
- Ryuokyo Gorge
- Kirifuri Kogen Highland
- Kinugawa Onsen
- Kirifuri Falls
- Tobu World Square
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura
- Taiyuin Mausoleum
- Futarasan Shrine