Kamimoku Onsen is a quiet hot spring resort in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, known for its peaceful atmosphere and natural surroundings. Several traditional inns stand along the clear waters of the Tone River, creating a tranquil setting reminiscent of an old-fashioned hot spring retreat rather than a bustling resort town.
Thanks to its gentle feel and excellent moisturizing properties, the water is sometimes called the “Healing Hot Spring” or “Beauty Hot Spring.” It has long been popular with visitors seeking therapeutic bathing and with hikers exploring the surrounding mountains.
The spring is a calcium-sodium sulfate-chloride hot spring, with a source temperature of approximately 42°C. It is a non-volcanic hot spring. Rainwater and melting snow from Mount Tanigawa are believed to gradually seep deep into the ground, where they are warmed by geothermal heat before emerging as hot spring water.
The water is valued for its warming and moisturizing properties and has traditionally been considered beneficial for conditions such as minor cuts, certain skin conditions, and arteriosclerosis. These traditional claims are part of the area’s long history as a therapeutic bathing destination.
Because of the quality and character of its hot spring water, Kamimoku Onsen, together with Nawazawa Onsen, has been designated as a National Hot Spring Resort for Recreation and Health by the Japanese government.
The hot spring district stretches along the Tone River and is currently home to a hot spring hospital and approximately five traditional inns.
There are no large entertainment facilities, allowing visitors to relax in a peaceful natural environment away from the bustle of major tourist resorts. The setting is particularly suited to those who want to slow down and enjoy the restorative atmosphere of a traditional Japanese hot spring retreat.
The former day-use bathing facility Fuwa no Yu was once a popular place for visitors to enjoy the springs, although it is currently closed.
The inns themselves continue to offer warm hospitality and high-quality hot spring bathing. Kamimoku also serves as a convenient base for mountain hiking and recreational activities in the surrounding valleys.
Kamimoku Onsen officially opened in 1924, during the Taishō era. Thanks to the traditional reputation of its waters, the area developed as a destination for therapeutic hot spring stays.
The resort is also associated with Kiyoshi Yamashita, the well-known Japanese itinerant artist. He stayed in Kamimoku, and some inns in the area display works connected with his visit.
Following the municipal merger that created modern Minakami Town, Kamimoku Onsen became one of Minakami’s Eighteen Hot Springs, a group of hot spring destinations representing the area’s rich bathing culture.
Kamimoku Onsen is approximately 6 minutes on foot from Kamimoku Station on the JR Jōetsu Line. From Jōmō-Kōgen Station on the Jōetsu Shinkansen, it takes approximately 10 minutes by taxi or local bus.
The resort is also conveniently located near the Minakami Interchange of the Kan-Etsu Expressway, making it easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Although Kamimoku Onsen is located close to the larger and more active Minakami Onsen resort area, it offers a distinctly different experience centered on silence, nature, and relaxation.
For travelers looking to experience the traditional atmosphere of a Japanese hot spring retreat while enjoying easy access to the mountains and valleys of Minakami, Kamimoku Onsen provides a peaceful place to unwind.