Kinugawa Onsen　鬼怒川温泉

Kinugawa Onsen is a hot spring area located in the Kinugawa district of Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, along the upper reaches of the Kinugawa River. Alongside Hakone and Atami, it is known as one of "Tokyo's hidden retreats" and attracts over 2 million visitors annually.

It feels just like Kitakami in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet expansion, The Teal Mask! Ogrepon welcomes you at the station!

The onsen town features around 40 hotels and ryokan (traditional inns) along the Kinugawa River, as well as resort condominiums and corporate retreats. In addition to municipal public baths and foot baths, there are many private bathing facilities.

Around Kinugawa Onsen Station, you'll find a Seven-Eleven, souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, food stalls, soba noodle shops, Chinese restaurants, foot baths, a tourist information center, car rentals, an all-weather pool & spa, a bank, and a post office. The area is popular with foreign tourists as well.

The foot bath in front of the station is free and very popular.

Major Stations　主要駅

Tobu Kinugawa Line: Tobu World Square Station, Kinugawa Onsen Station, Kinugawa-Koen Station

Limited express trains from Asakusa Station (Tobu Railway): "Spacia X," "Kinu," "Liberty Kinu," "Liberty Aizu"

Limited express trains from Shinjuku Station (JR East): "Kinugawa"

These trains run daily. Note that all seats on limited express trains are reserved, so a reservation is required.

Recommended 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary

• Foot bath (in front of Kinugawa Onsen Station)：鬼怒川温泉駅前
• Strawberry picking (Hana Ichimonme)：花いちもんめ
• Animal interaction (Hana Ichimonme)：花いちもんめ
• All-you-can-drink buffet (Kinugawa Royal Hotel)：鬼怒川ロイヤルホテル
• Private open-air bath (Kinugawa Royal Hotel)：鬼怒川ロイヤルホテル
• Kinuta Suspension Bridge & Hidden Observation Deck
• Heated pool & open-air bath (Hotel Mikazuki)：ホテル三日月
• World tour (Tobu World Square)：東武ワールドスクエア

9:18 - Departure from Tokyo
9:43 - Departure from Kita-Senju

　　　(Tobu Limited Express Liberty Aizu)
11:35 - Arrival at Kinugawa Onsen Station

12:00～

Bento Cafe Kodama (Kinugawa Onsen Station)

Located inside Kinugawa Onsen Station, this bento and cafe shop offers both takeout and eat-in options. You can enjoy a unique Tochigi-style bento at the tables inside the shop!

13:30～

Strawberry Picking (Hana Ichimonme)

Enjoy sweet and delicious strawberries! You can pick one of four varieties: Skyberry, Tochiaika, Tochiotome, or Yayoi Hime!

Hana Ichimonme is about a 5-minute drive from hotels around Kinugawa Onsen Station. After checking in at your hotel, it's convenient to have the front desk call a taxi for you! Taxis are also often available at the station, so you can go from there too!

14:15～

Animal Interaction (Hana Ichimonme)

Get up close with adorable animals like guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, and chipmunks! You can gently pet them, feed them, and enjoy a relaxing experience.

You’ll also have the chance to meet the colorful Rainbow Lorikeets.

Inside the Hana Ichimonme building, where you enjoy strawberry picking, you can also visit the largest begonia garden in North Kanto and interact with the animals (feeding is allowed).

Take a bus back to Kinugawa Onsen Station when you're done!

16:40～

Private Open-Air Bath (Kinugawa Royal Hotel)

Enjoy the majestic views of the Kinugawa Gorge from the private open-air bath!

You can check into your room starting at 3:00 PM, so take a moment to relax. The room offers a stunning view of the Kinugawa Gorge as well.

18:00～

All-You-Can-Drink Dinner Buffet (Kinugawa Royal Hotel)

At the live kitchen, enjoy unlimited teppanyaki, seasonal tempura, and crab, all served hot!

With around 70 different dishes, including Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine, there’s something for everyone!

The all-you-can-drink options include local sake, cocktails, and of course, draft beer.

After refreshing yourself in the large public bath or the private open-air bath, enjoy a delicious dinner with a refreshing drink in hand! Although the dinner is divided into about five seating times, we never found ourselves lacking food.

It’s your vacation, so indulge in what you love!

Day 2: 9:00

Kinuta Suspension Bridge & Hidden Observation Deck

After enjoying the breakfast buffet, head to the 140-meter-long pedestrian suspension bridge that connects the southern part of Kinugawa Onsen town with the famous Tateiwa Rock.

From the bridge, which stands 37 meters above the ground, you can admire the swift flow of the Kinugawa River weaving through the massive rocks, along with the lush green mountains.

Tateiwa Rock itself rises about 100 meters, and at its summit, there’s an observation deck. From there, you can take in a breathtaking panoramic view, with the clear Kinugawa River and the onsen town below, and the beautiful mountain ranges, including Mt. Takahara, in the distance.

As it’s a suspension bridge, it sways quite a bit!

10:00～

Heated Pool & Open-Air Bath (Hotel Mikazuki)

After checking out of your hotel, head to the neighboring Hotel Mikazuki. The pool is available for day-use from 10:00 AM, and the adjacent "Opuro" area opens at 12:00 PM.

Since it's an indoor facility, you can enjoy swimming in your swimsuit regardless of the weather or season.

In addition to the pool, there are five types of saunas and a jacuzzi, making it perfect for promoting health and relaxation.

12:00～

Kinuta no Yu: Foot Bath (In front of Kinugawa Onsen Station)

This free foot bath facility is located in the plaza in front of Tobu Railway's Kinugawa Onsen Station, marked by a statue of Kinuta, the mascot of Kinugawa Onsen.

The water here is a simple alkaline hot spring, known for its benefits in relieving nerve pain, muscle pain, arthritis, and more.

Whether you’ve just arrived and want to plan your sightseeing while soaking your feet, or need a break before catching your return train, this foot bath is the perfect spot to relax.

There's also a hand bath available, making it ideal for hand care as well.

13:00～

Around the World Trip (Tobu World Square)

Tobu World Square, a theme park in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, is a world architecture museum that recreates famous buildings and World Heritage sites at a 1:25 scale. Enjoy a trip around the world in a single day!

There are restaurants and cafes inside the park, so plan to have lunch here!

14:58 - Depart from Tobu World Square Station
16:49 - Arrive at Urawa
17:16 - Arrive at Tokyo Station

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura

Ninjas, samurais, princesses, courtesans—these Edo-era stars captured our imaginations as children. It’s a world that feels both new and nostalgically familiar. Let’s return to Edo.

Edo Wonderland offers various programs where you can experience life in the Edo period. Popular programs for children include Edo-era job experiences, while parents and couples can enjoy cultural experiences together. You can immerse yourself in the Edo period all day long.

The Great Maze Palladium

Challenge yourself in Japan’s largest maze, covering an area of 3,500 square meters (with a total area of 9,900 square meters). Experience the thrill and excitement as you navigate this massive labyrinth!

3D Maze & Dinosaur Pavilion

This entertainment facility combines a 3D maze, puzzle-solving, and a dinosaur learning experience. You can explore enormous dinosaur skeletons and life-sized skull models, play in the 3D maze, and enjoy puzzle-solving activities that take you through the entire facility. It’s a perfect theme park for rainy days. There’s also a wide range of dinosaur-themed souvenirs to shop for!

Monkey Land & Ani-Town (Nikko Saru Gundan)

This is an entertainment park centered around monkeys. Enjoy main stage shows featuring monkeys, the monkey mountain, and various attractions where you can play. Ani-Town is short for ANIMAL TOWN. As the name suggests, it’s a town where various animals live happily. In addition to monkeys, you can interact with penguins, capybaras, cats, dogs, and many more animal friends.

Trick Art Pia Nikko

A mysterious experience museum where you can “see,” “touch,” and “take photos.” This indoor theme park is perfect for rainy or hot days, so you can have fun no matter the weather! Don’t just look—bring your camera and dive into this world of wonders!