Shibu & Yudanaka Onsen
渋温泉・湯田中温泉
The hot-spring town where snow monkeys are visited. Shibu Onsen's stone-paved streets are lined with old wooden inns, and guests can bathe in nine outdoor baths.
Yudanaka and Shibu are collectively known as the Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen area, and they are the base for visiting Jigokudani Monkey Park. Shibu Onsen preserves narrow stone-paved streets and multi-storey wooden inns. Kanaguya, often described as one of the inspirations for the bathhouse in Spirited Away, is the most photogenic. Guests staying at participating inns can use their room keys to enter nine outdoor public baths free of charge. Collect a stamp from each bath, then visit the Takayakushi temple to pray for a turn for the better after hardship. In front of Yudanaka Station is Kaede-no-yu, a bathhouse open to day visitors. From Nagano Station, take the Nagano Electric Railway express for about 45 minutes to the end of the line at Yudanaka Station. Shibu Onsen is about 1.5 kilometres east of the station, reachable by bus or taxi. The outdoor baths are reserved for guests only, but some inns offer day-use bathing for a fee.
Opening hours
Open all day (outdoor baths for overnight guests only)
Nearby sights
- Jigokudani Monkey Park
- SORA terrace (Ryuoo Ski Park)
- Shiga Kōgen
- Higashidateyama Alpine Botanical Garden
- Ōnuma Pond
- Mount Yokote