Gunma · Minakami Onsen
Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku
宝川温泉 汪泉閣
A single ryokan beside the Takaragawa River deep in the Minakami onsen area of Gunma. Its crowning feature is a colossal open-air bath complex totalling about 470 tatami mats, fed by four sources flowing 1,800 litres a minute, free-flowing - a world-class onsen chosen as one of Japan's best by overseas guidebooks. Along the river stretch the mixed-bathing Maka-no-Yu (~120 mats), Kodakara-no-Yu (~200 mats) and Hannya-no-Yu (~50 mats), joined by the women-only Maya-no-Yu (~100 mats); bathing garments are mandatory for mixed bathing (rentals available for women). The water is a colourless alkaline simple spring. Day bathing runs 10:00-16:30 (last entry 16:00) at 1,500 yen for junior-high and up. All four sources are enjoyed with no heating or recirculation - a wild riverside bathing experience.
- Price (adult)
- ¥1,500
- Hours
- 10:00-16:30 (last entry 16:00)
- Closed
- Irregular closing (call ahead before visiting)
- Access
- 1899 Fujiwara, Minakami-machi, Tone-gun, Gunma (postal code 379-1721). About 25 minutes by bus or taxi from Minakami Station on the JR Joetsu Line, or about 25 minutes by car from Minakami IC on the Kanetsu Expressway. Parking available.
- Water type
- Alkaline simple
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0278-75-2611
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Minakami Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- A 470-mat open-air bath complex - four sources, 1,800 L/min free-flowing (3 mixed + 1 women-only)
- Bathing garments mandatory for mixed baths (women's rental 600 yen); colourless alkaline simple spring
- Day bathing 10:00-16:30 (last entry 16:00): 1,500 yen junior-high+, 1,000 yen elementary
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- There is a mixed-gender area. Check the description for bathing garments and women-only hours.
- Ryokan day-use hours are limited and may be suspended in peak season — phone the same morning.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Convenience
Who with
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-10 Operating status and rates cross-checked against the official site and onsen guides (full source notes in Japanese on the JA page)
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Sainokawara Open-Air Bath
A 10-minute walk west of Kusatsu's Yubatake, at the far end of Sainokawara Park, lies one of Japan's largest open-air baths. Around 500 m² of pool brims with strongly acidic water, open to the surrounding forest. Snow in winter, fresh green in summer, illuminations at night. There are no washing stations — this is purely for soaking.
Otakinoyu
A large day facility where you can try Kusatsu's traditional 'awase-yu' — a row of wooden tubs at rising temperatures, entered in order. Indoor baths, rotenburo, sauna, plus rest and dining areas make it good for half a day. About 10 minutes' walk from the Yubatake, or a short bus ride. Admission ¥1,200 (2026); three-bath pass with Gozanoyu and Sainokawara ¥2,100.
Gozanoyu
Right in front of the Yubatake, a wooden recreation of the Edo–Meiji communal baths. Wood and stone bath halls alternate between men and women daily, with two sources (Yubatake and Bandaiko). The upstairs hall looks down on the Yubatake.
