Kinugawa Onsen

Kinugawa Onsen developed along both banks of the Kinugawa River in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, roughly two hours by train from Tokyo. Founded in the 17th century, its waters were originally reserved for high-ranking officials and Buddhist priests, only opening to the general public in the early Meiji period (from 1868). Different bathhouses across the resort draw on several spring types, including simple, chloride, bicarbonate, and sulfur springs, with the alkaline simple-spring water noted for being gentle on skin. The resort expanded heavily during the 1970s package-tourism boom, went through a period of visible decline after the 1990s economic downturn, and has since worked to revitalize itself.