It is located in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, which is located in the center of Japan and has beautiful mountains.
It is a quiet hot spring town with cobblestone streets and an old townscape located in a small area along the river at the foot of Shiga Kogen.
The first hot spring is said to have been discovered by Gyoki 1300 years ago. It was one of Takeda Shingen’s secret hot springs during the Warring States period, and is said to have been a place where wounded soldiers were recuperated during the Battle of Kawanakajima. Since its opening, it has had a long history as a spa and post town on the Kusatsu Kaido.
Shibu Onsen has so many hot springs that you can find hot water as soon as you dig into the ground. We are proud of the abundant amount and quality of hot spring water. The hot water drawn directly from the source is poured directly into the bathtub without adding water or heating.
Also, even if the source is within the same Shibu Onsen, each source has different ingredients, so you can enjoy a variety of hot springs.
Hot springs not only soothe the people who visit, but they are also an important daily necessity for the people living in Shibu.
Outdoor baths have long been a part of local residents’ lives as communal baths, and for this reason, residents have been responsible for cleaning the baths, managing the source, and protecting the hot water.
Visitors can also enjoy the public bath as one of Shibu’s residents.
Responsible tourism is a style of tourism that reduces the burden on the environment, culture, and society of tourist destinations.
In order to connect with the hot springs that have been passed down over many years, we invite our guests to join us as overnight residents, and while experiencing life together with the residents, we would like them to observe good manners and enjoy their trip as a responsible traveler.
Narrow alleys along cobblestone streets.
An old wooden building with lattice windows, mud walls, and a parapet extending overhead. Hot spring pipes strung out
Built between the Taisho and early Showa periods, the unique landscape of many intricate wooden buildings that have undergone repeated additions and renovations takes visitors on a journey through time.
A retro hot spring town with stone pavement
In yukata and geta
We recommend visiting hot springs
