Gifu · Okuhida Onsen (Hirayu, Shinhotaka)
Tochio Onsen Kōjin-no-yu riverside open-air bath
栃尾温泉 荒神の湯（河原の共同露天風呂）
An open-air-only public bath on the gravel banks of the Gamata River at Tochio Onsen in the Okuhida valley. The rock-ringed men's and women's pools have no screen on the river side, so the rushing Gamata and the Northern Alps fill the view — starry skies at night, snow scenes in winter, wild Okuhida all year. Free-flowing simple spring water; there are changing huts but no reception — drop a donation (about ¥300) in the wooden box at the entrance. Open 8:00–22:00 (from 12:00 Mon, Wed and Fri for cleaning); no closing days, but suspended when the river is high. Bring a towel. An easy stop between the Shinhotaka Ropeway and Hirayu, or a night soak for anyone staying in Tochio's inns.
- Price (adult)
- ¥300
- Hours
- 08:00–22:00 (from 12:00 Mon/Wed/Fri after cleaning)
- Closed
- Open daily(closed when river is high)
- Access
- About 80 min by Nōhi bus (for Shinhotaka Ropeway) from JR Takayama Station to Tochio-Shinryōjo-mae, then 3 min on foot; 15 min by car from Hirayu Onsen; 10 min from the Shinhotaka Ropeway
- Water type
- Simple spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Admission
- A cleaning donation of about ¥300, dropped in the box at the entrance (unattended, no change). Older sources say ¥200
- Baths
- Two roofless rock rotenburo (men’s and women’s) on the Gamata riverbank plus wooden changing huts — nothing else. No washing area, showers, soap or lockers. ~41 °C
- Water
- Simple spring (a blend of several sources incl. Hotaka Nos. 2–8), clear; leaves skin silky
- Parking
- Free, ~10–20 cars. No overnight parking or camping. A height-restriction rope is sometimes set up after manners problems
- Phone
- 0578-89-2614
- Official site
- okuhida.or.jp ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Okuhida Onsen (Hirayu, Shinhotaka). Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Riverside pool facing the Northern Alps
- Donation ~¥300; stars until 22:00
- From 12:00 Mon/Wed/Fri; closed if river high
Just a tub on the riverbank: Okuhida at its most elemental
Kojin-no-yu is a community-run open-air bath built on the Gamata riverbed at Tochio Onsen in the Okuhida valley. All there is: two rock-built tubs, men’s and women’s, and wooden changing huts — no roof, no washing area, no attendant; you drop about ¥300 in the box. In return the Gamata river rushes past in front and the peaks of the Hotaka range and Mt Kasa rise beyond — Okuhida’s “bath in nature” in its purest form. Open until 22:00, so many come to soak under the stars.
Tips & cautions
- Mon/Wed/Fri opens at 12:00 after cleaning. Closed in heavy rain or high water.
- You cannot wash here — bathe at your inn first and just soak. Bring a towel; no lockers, so leave valuables.
- Open-air only, so winter (deep-snow country) is harsh between hut and tub — but the snow views are superb.
- The fence is low; women may prefer quieter hours.
- Resident-managed: no car camping, tents or litter; park considerately — access was once restricted after abuses.
Getting there
2 min on foot from the “Tochio-shinryojo-mae” stop on the Nohi bus Hirayu–Shinhotaka line (beside Route 471 on the Gamata riverbank). ~15 min by car from Hirayu bus terminal, ~10 min from Shinhotaka Ropeway. Free parking.
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- As a communal bath there is no soap or shampoo — bring your own or buy at the shop.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Price
Who with
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 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.
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