Thirteen free communal baths scattered through the village — locals-run, natural spring water from Nozawa's ancient sources. Not resort-hotel exclusives, not 24-hour. Real village onsen open to all.
Public Baths · Checked for 2026–27
Best when
Skip when
Checked 24 Sep 2026 — Hours and details from official Nozawa Kanko page. Spring temps, hours, and etiquette confirmed. Map and walking routes on official site.
Wash before you soak. Sit on a stool, rinse thoroughly, then enter the tub. No soap in the bath water.
No towel in the tub. Leave your small towel on the side or on your head — never let it touch the shared water.
Bring your own gear. Most public baths have no showers, shampoo, or soap. Bring a small towel, washcloth, and toiletries if needed.
Donation appreciated. Baths are free but maintained by villagers (yunakama). Drop coins in the donation box (寸志 / sunji).
If it's too hot, add cold water carefully. Turn off the tap once comfortable — spring water is precious.
Hours matter. Not 24-hour. Most close 22:00 or 23:00. Respect closing time.
Tattoos in Japan onsen: Many Japanese onsen restrict visible tattoos. Nozawa's official site does not state a blanket tattoo policy for the 13 public baths. Reality for Australians: small tattoos often go unnoticed; large ones may attract attention. If concerned, check signs at each bath or ask your lodge. No universal rule — each yunakama (bath committee) decides.
Village sotoyu (外湯) maintained by local bath committees since Edo period. 100% natural spring water, donation-funded. Walk the village and find your favorite.
大湯
Village symbol with impressive wooden bathhouse architecture unchanged since Edo period. Two tubs: hot and lukewarm. High ceilings, central location. Also called 'Inukai-no-Oyu.'
Source temp
66°C
Spring type
Simple sulfur spring, weakly alkaline
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–23:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–23:00
Center of village
河原湯
Hotter bath, good for morning soak. Named after its original riverside location in a hollow. Smaller than Ōyu but traditional wooden construction. Popular in summer.
Source temp
~60°C
Spring type
Simple sulfur spring
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–23:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–23:00
Downhill from Ōyu
秋葉の湯
Peaceful atmosphere, slightly away from center near ski area. Large windows create bright, open space — soak in natural light and forget daily stress.
Source temp
~90°C
Spring type
Simple sulfur spring
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–23:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–23:00
Near ski slopes
麻釜の湯
On Asagama street with old-fashioned charm. Slightly hotter water with more onsen minerals (yu-no-hana) than other baths. Washing tubs behind still used by locals.
Source temp
~90°C
Spring type
Sulfur-sodium-calcium sulfate spring
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–23:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–23:00
Asagama street
上寺湯
Historic, intimate bath — a quiet hideaway. Small tubs, high temperature. Onsen-egg pot beside men's entrance.
Source temp
~90°C
Spring type
Sulfur-sodium-calcium sulfate spring
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–23:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–23:00
Upper village
熊の手洗湯
Legend: injured bear healed wounds here. Opened Kamakura period. Hot and mild tubs — mildest in Nozawa. Onsen-egg pot opposite entrance.
Source temp
~40°C
Spring type
Simple sulfur spring
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–23:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–23:00
Village area
松葉の湯
Unique two-story: bath on 2nd floor, washing tubs on 1st. Named after archery range (matoba) that once stood here. Onsen-egg pot at base of stairs.
Source temp
~90°C
Spring type
Simple sulfur spring
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–23:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–23:00
Matsuba lodging district
中尾の湯
Largest public bath in Nozawa — striking wooden architecture at village south entrance. Hot and mild tubs. Spacious washing area, relaxed vibe.
Source temp
~90°C
Spring type
Sulfur-sodium-calcium sulfate spring
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–23:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–23:00
South entrance of village
新田の湯
Newest rebuild (2018). Area developed late Edo period. Opposite Nishi-no-Miya shrine. Modern rebuild of traditional wooden bathhouse design.
Source temp
~90°C
Spring type
Sulfur-sodium-calcium sulfate spring
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–23:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–23:00
Opposite Nishi-no-Miya shrine
真湯
'Heaven's famous spring,' also called 'five-color bath' — water changes between milky white, emerald, clear. Exceptional mineral content. North village near Tsutsujiyama Park.
Source temp
~55°C
Spring type
Simple sulfur spring
Hours
6:00–22:00
North village, Tsutsujiyama Park entrance
滝の湯
Quiet spot uphill from Asagama. Emerald water, white tile bath, black and white mineral flakes floating — strong sulfur scent.
Source temp
~78°C
Spring type
Sulfur-sodium-calcium sulfate spring
Hours
Apr–Nov: 5:00–21:00
Dec–Mar: 6:00–22:00Shorter hours than most
Uphill from Asagama
横落の湯
Underground bath below Yokochi signal. Stone walls. Women's bath has unique round granite tub. Clear water.
Source temp
~90°C
Spring type
Sulfur-sodium-calcium sulfate spring
Hours
6:00–23:00
Below Yokochi signal
十王堂の湯
Named after Enma Hall's ten kings. Only bath with women 1F, men 2F layout. Onsen-egg pot and washing tubs for locals.
Source temp
~90°C
Spring type
Simple sulfur spring
Hours
6:00–22:00
Village area
Larger onsen facilities with amenities, showers, soap. Entry fees apply.
ふるさとの湯
Traditional bathhouse architecture (reopened Oct 2024). Indoor hot/mild tubs plus outdoor bath. Asagama source.
Entry fee
Adults ¥700, children (elementary and under) ¥500, under 2 free
Hours
Summer (Apr–mid Dec): 10:00–19:00 (last entry 18:30). Winter (mid Dec–Mar): 11:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30). Closed Thursdays (or next day if Thursday is holiday).
野沢温泉スパリーナ
Large facility: swimsuit outdoor bath, gender-separate indoor/outdoor baths, saunas, restaurant (Chantelle), rest rooms, shop. Summer: pool with waterfall (kids love it). Year-round family destination.
Entry fee
Adults ¥900, children (elementary and under) ¥700, under 2 free
Hours
12:00–20:30 (last entry 20:30). Hours vary in summer pool season (Jul–Aug) and winter (Dec–Mar) — check official site.
Yurari (湯らり) — Free foot bath near Asagama source. Open 6:00–21:00 in warmer months. Onsen-egg pots available. Closed in winter (snow).
Two lodges also offer front-door foot baths open to all. Good for a quick soak between errands.
Are Nozawa's public onsen really free?
Yes. The 13 sotoyu are maintained by local bath committees (yunakama) and open to visitors without charge. A donation box (寸志) is at each entrance — ¥100–200 appreciated but not required.
Do I need to bring anything?
Bring a small towel for washing and drying. Most public baths have no showers, shampoo, or soap — if you want those, bring your own or visit a paid facility like Furusato-no-yu or Sparina.
Which onsen is best for first-timers?
Ōyu (大湯) — central location, two temperature tubs, iconic architecture. Nakao-no-yu (中尾の湯) is the largest and most spacious. Kuma-no-tearai-yu (熊の手洗湯) has the mildest water.
Are tattoos allowed?
Nozawa's official site doesn't state a blanket tattoo ban for the public baths. Many Japanese onsen do restrict tattoos. Check signs at each bath or ask your lodge. Small tattoos often go unnoticed; large visible ones may be an issue.
Can I visit all 13 in one day?
Possible but exhausting. Most visitors pick 2–4 favorites over their stay. Buy a collection stamp (shuin) book from tourist office or shops and collect stamps at each bath as you go — 10+ stamps earns a towel, 20+ earns a towel or hand towel.
After your soak
Grab dinner at one of the village restaurants, plan tomorrow's skiing with English ski schools, or read about the mountain layout and getting here from Tokyo.
Keep planning