IntroductionA Historical Hot Spring in Tochigi Visited by Famous FiguresWhen thinking of Nasu Highlands, the Nasu Onsen-kyo springs to mind. Nasu Onsen-kyo is renowned for the Nasu Seven Hot Springs tour, which includes the famous "Shikanoyu," the oldest hot spring in Tochigi Prefecture, known for its varied spring qualities. This area's history dates back to the Nara period, flourishing as a therapeutic bath site visited by notable figures such as Minamoto no Yoritomo, Nichiren, and Matsuo Basho.The original Nasu Seven Hot Springs have evolved over time, with new hot springs blending with the old, forming the new Nasu Seven Hot Springs of the Reiwa era. This article introduces these new faces of Nasu Onsen-kyo, each carefully selected for its day-trip bathing options.Embark on a hot spring tour beginning with these naturally occurring hot springs, designed to soothe the modern individual's weary body and mind, offering new discoveries and experiences. Enjoy the relaxing baths and refreshing experiences at the Reiwa Nasu Seven Hot Springs.What is Nasu Onsen-kyo?Tochigi's Oldest and Largest Hot Spring AreaNasu Onsen-kyo is located in Nasu Town, Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture, at the southern foot of Mt. Nasu (Chausudake). Known for its beautiful natural environment and abundant hot springs, it is a beloved resort area.Nasu Highlands, where Nasu Onsen-kyo is situated, is about 180 km from Tokyo, halfway between Tokyo and Sendai. The area features many accommodations, villas, historical sites, theme parks, and an imperial villa where the royal family stays, earning it the nickname "Royal Resort Nasu." The foothills are home to vast dairy farms, and the southeastern part boasts rural village landscapes nestled in the Yamaizo mountains. Surrounding Nasu Onsen-kyo are the Shiobara Onsen-kyo and Itamuro Onsen-kyo.History of Nasu Onsen-kyoAppearing in Documents as a Therapeutic Bath Site Since the Nara PeriodThe history of therapeutic bathing is ancient, and Nasu Onsen has been a central hub. It first appeared in the Shoso-in documents of the Nara period (AD 738), with records of visits by Ono no Asomi for therapeutic purposes. Minamoto no Yoritomo and Nichiren visited during the Kamakura period, and Matsuo Basho in the Edo period. Despite repeated disasters, the hot spring town was revived through local efforts, flourishing as a tourist destination with the advent of railways and roads in the Meiji era.The original Nasu Seven Hot Springs were enjoyed by tourists, but some inns closed over time, making the traditional hot spring tours impossible. This article introduces three unique hot springs from the new Nasu Onsen to continue the tradition of the Nasu Seven Hot Springs, offering a new hot spring tour experience in the Reiwa era.The Nasu Seven Hot Springs of the Edo PeriodThe Initial Nasu Seven Hot Springs Discovered by the Edo PeriodBy the Edo period, the Nasu Seven Hot Springs included Shikanoyu (Motoyu), Itamuro Onsen, Santogoya Onsen, Daimaru Onsen, Kita Onsen, Benten Onsen, and Takao Onsen. These formed the original Nasu Seven Hot Springs.In the Meiji era, Yawata Onsen was discovered, forming the Nasu Eight Hot Springs. In the Taisho era, Asahi Onsen, Iimori Onsen, and Kakko Onsen were added, with New Nasu Onsen emerging from a pipeline from Daimaru Onsen, creating the Nasu Twelve Hot Springs.Among the Nasu Twelve Hot Springs, Itamuro Onsen (in Nasushiobara City) was geographically separated from the others in Nasu Town, leading to the designation of the Nasu Eleven Hot Springs for those within Nasu Town. Since Benten Onsen, Iimori Onsen, and Asahi Onsen lacked lodging facilities, the Nasu Seven Hot Springs were redefined as Shikanoyu, Daimaru Onsen, Benten Onsen, Kita Onsen, Yawata Onsen, Takao Onsen, and Santogoya Onsen, with New Nasu Onsen included as the Nasu Eight Hot Springs.Over time, the inns at Benten Onsen, Takao Onsen, and Yawata Onsen closed, forming the current Nasu Four Hot Springs.Transition of Nasu Onsen-kyoEdo Period (Seven Hot Springs)Shikanoyu (Motoyu)Daimaru OnsenKita OnsenTakao OnsenSantogoya OnsenBenten OnsenItamuro OnsenMeiji Period (Eight Hot Springs)Shikanoyu (Motoyu)Daimaru OnsenKita OnsenTakao OnsenSantogoya OnsenBenten OnsenItamuro OnsenYawata OnsenTaisho Period (Twelve Hot Springs)Shikanoyu (Motoyu)Daimaru OnsenKita OnsenTakao OnsenSantogoya OnsenBenten OnsenItamuro OnsenYawata OnsenAsahi OnsenIimori OnsenKakko OnsenNew Nasu OnsenTaisho Period(Eleven Hot Springs)Shikanoyu (Motoyu)Daimaru OnsenKita OnsenTakao OnsenSantogoya OnsenBenten OnsenYawata OnsenAsahi OnsenIimori OnsenKakko OnsenNew Nasu OnsenTaisho Period(Eight Hot Springs)Shikanoyu (Motoyu)Daimaru OnsenKita OnsenTakao OnsenSantogoya OnsenBenten OnsenYawata OnsenNew Nasu OnsenReiwa Period (Five Hot Springs)Shikanoyu (Motoyu)Daimaru OnsenKita OnsenSantogoya OnsenNew Nasu OnsenWith the closure of Benten Onsen, Takao Onsen, and Yawata Onsen inns, they are no longer accessible. Benten Onsen, known for its distinctive iron-scented, rust-colored, weakly alkaline iron carbonate spring, was particularly popular as a "finishing bath" to heal the skin after bathing in the sulfur-scented, milky white, acidic sulfur springs of Shikanoyu. Its absence is a significant loss for hot spring enthusiasts who loved its unique qualities.Reiwa Nasu Seven Hot SpringsFour Naturally Occurring Hot Springs and Three Drilled Private SpringsAlthough New Nasu Onsen was initially part of the Nasu Eight Hot Springs, the Reiwa era saw the closure of Benten Onsen, Yawata Onsen, and Takao Onsen, reducing the number to the Nasu Five Hot Springs.This article introduces the remaining naturally occurring Nasu Four Hot Springs—Shikanoyu, Daimaru Onsen, Kita Onsen, and Santogoya Onsen—along with three particularly unique hot springs from New Nasu Onsen, forming the new Reiwa Nasu Seven Hot Springs, all available for day-trip bathing. Enjoy a tour of the rare naturally occurring hot springs and unique drilled private springs in the Reiwa Nasu Seven Hot Springs.Four Naturally Occurring Famous Hot SpringsFirst Hot Spring: Shikanoyu at Nasu Yumoto OnsenShikanoyuDiscovered in 630 AD, this simple acidic sulfur hot spring (hydrogen sulfide type) at an altitude of 845 meters features a pH of 2.6, a sulfur scent, and milky white water with a smooth texture.Known as Shikanoyu since ancient times, Nasu Yumoto Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Nasu Onsen-kyo, discovered around 630 AD during the reign of Emperor Jomei. Legend has it that Gunji Kano Saburo Yukihiro discovered the spring while chasing a white deer into a deep valley, meeting the spirit of the spring. Renamed Shikanoyu, it was visited by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1193 and Nichiren in 1265. Matsuo Basho also stopped here during his "Narrow Road to the Deep North" journey. A stone monument near the Killing Stone bears his poem: "The fragrance of stones, the summer grasses, and the morning dew."With a source temperature of 63-80 degrees Celsius, the water is traditionally applied using a method called "kakeyu" before bathing. Nasu Onsen, the 32nd oldest hot spring in Japan and the oldest in Tochigi Prefecture, is a must-visit for anyone coming to Nasu, known nationwide as one of the best hot springs.Second Hot Spring: Daimaru Onsen at Daimaru Onsen RyokanDaimaru Onsen RyokanDiscovered in 1691, this simple spring at an altitude of 1,300 meters is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, rich in metasilicic acid, known as a "beauty spring."One of the sources, "Jizo no Yu," supplies water to the Nasu Imperial Villa and New Nasu Onsen. Daimaru Onsen, the highest accessible by car among the Nasu Onsen, is also known as Oku Nasu Onsen. The famous "Kawa no Yu" bath is formed by damming a hot spring river, fed by five sources from Daimaru Onsen Ryokan. It was frequented by the Daimaru clan of the Kurobane Domain and the Nogis couple.Third Hot Spring: Kita Onsen at Kita Onsen RyokanKita Onsen RyokanDiscovered in 770 AD, this simple spring at an altitude of 1,100 meters features colorless, odorless, tasteless water.Legend has it that the great tengu discovered the spring while traveling from Nikko to Dewa Province. The origin and details of the spring's discovery are unclear, but the name "Kita Onsen" evolved from the old notation "Kita Onsen."Established in 1858, Kita Onsen Ryokan was used as a filming location for the movie "Thermae Romae." It features various baths, including the "Eye Bath," effective for eye and gastrointestinal health, and the "Tengu Bath" with a large tengu mask. The variety of baths, including a hot spring pool and waterfall bath, is extensive.Fourth Hot Spring: Santogoya Onsen at Tabakoya RyokanTabakoya RyokanDiscovered in 1142, this simple spring at an altitude of 1,450 meters features colorless, odorless, tasteless water. Only accessible by hiking, it is known as a hidden hot spring in Oku Nasu.Santogoya Onsen requires at least a two-hour hike from the Nasu Ropeway summit station. Located on the western slope of Asahidake (1,903 meters) east of Chausudake, at about 1,500 meters altitude, it is part of a detached area of Nasushiobara City, although geographically in Nasu Town.Discovered by Ikushima from Shinobu Village in Oshu in 1142, Santogoya Onsen thrived when the Aizu Central Highway opened after natural disasters blocked the Aizu Western Highway in 1695. By the early Meiji era, five inns operated, now reduced to two, Daikokuya Ryokan and Tabakoya Ryokan, open from April to November. Visitors enjoy the natural setting without artificial lights after the 9 PM power outage, experiencing star-filled skies.The origin of the name "Santogoya" has various theories, including the difficulty of transporting more than three "to" (approximately 36 liters) of rice along the mountain path, or that three "to" is one bale of rice carried to the hot springs.Recommended Three Unique Hot Springs in New Nasu OnsenNew Nasu Onsen began in 1923 when water from Daimaru Onsen was successfully piped using wooden pipes and natural flow, leading to the opening of inns south of the Nasu IC. In 1926, the Nasu Imperial Villa was completed, leading to the development of a representative resort area with villas, hotels, inns, and company retreats.The springs at the Imperial Villa include "Sakura no Yu" (80°C) from Daimaru Onsen, and "Jizo no Yu" and "Asahi no Yu" piped over a 600-meter altitude difference, cooling to about 45°C by the time they reach the villa. These simple springs are collectively known as "Nasu Onsen."New Nasu Onsen consists of "Nasu Onsen" (simple springs) and "Nasu Kogen Onsen" (varied springs, including sulfur and acidic springs from Yumoto Onsen). Each facility offers a unique blend, making New Nasu Onsen known for its diverse and unique spring qualities.Fifth Hot Spring: Jizaiso at New Nasu OnsenJizaisoA traditional inn using "Jizo no Yu" from Daimaru Onsen, also piped to the Imperial Villa, offering a rare glimpse into the historical New Nasu Onsen.With its clear, gentle water, the spring's metasilicic acid content of 234 mg makes it a "beauty spring." The cozy bathhouse offers a private feel, with an open-air bath overlooking a gorge. Day-trip plans including meals are also available (closed in winter).Admission and HoursDay trip: Adults 1,000 yen, Children 700 yen (discount available through tourist associations)Hours: 14:00-18:00Sixth Hot Spring: Hotel Sun Valley Nasu at New Nasu OnsenHotel Sun Valley NasuWith two piped and three private sources, this hot spring resort offers diverse spring qualities and 16 types of baths.This spa resort hotel is designed for all ages, with a variety of baths, saunas, and fun features like a cave bath and aesthetic baths. Day-trip visitors can enjoy four sources: sulfur spring (piped), weak alkaline spring, and two types of magnesium springs.The sulfur spring is a rare, safe neutral sulfur spring with a sulfur smell, while the weak alkaline and magnesium springs are rich in dissolved substances, enhancing beauty and health.Admission and HoursDay trip: Weekdays - Adults 1,000 yen, Children 500 yen, Seniors 700 yen (1.5 times on weekends/holidays)Hours: 10:00-21:00 (last entry 20:00)Seventh Hot Spring: TOWA Pure Cottages at New Nasu OnsenTOWA Pure CottagesFeaturing a mineral-rich, rust-colored private spring reminiscent of Benten Onsen, with 5,263 mg of dissolved substances.This hidden gem in Nasu boasts high iron and magnesium content, offering a rare and rich bathing experience. The iron-rich spring provides a unique scent and color, attracting hot spring enthusiasts. It also contains 174 mg of metasilicic acid, enhancing beauty benefits.Admission and HoursDay trip: Adults 1,150 yen, Children 550 yen (600 yen and 275 yen for guests; free for room guests)Hours: 5:00-10:00, 13:00-23:00ConclusionDon't Forget to Check the Latest Information Before VisitingAs times change, so do the faces of hot spring areas, but Nasu Onsen-kyo continues to offer new and unique hot springs. This article introduced the naturally occurring hot springs and unique private springs of the Reiwa Nasu Seven Hot Springs, all available for day-trip bathing.Experience the diverse and modern Nasu Onsen-kyo with its rich natural environment and seasonal delights. Remember to check the latest information before visiting, as some facilities may close during winter.All recommended facilities in this article are confidently suggested for a delightful hot spring tour. Whether for day trips or longer stays, enjoy a new hot spring journey with the Reiwa Nasu Seven Hot Springs.