Tengu-no-Yu Kimuraen

The sound of the stream and the bamboo around us made the soak feel especially peaceful. Kimura-en Kimura-en (Gunma Prefecture) has a huge 100m2 mixed outdoor bath called “Tengu no yu” Tengu Bath, set about 10 metres below ground in Minakami Onsen. There’s a bamboo grove on one side and a mountain stream on the other, and separate entrances for women and men. We’d love to come back! 😄🎉🎌🎵 Psst, it reminded me of Sumeikan Karukaya Suimeikan Karukaya Sanso, the onsen in Okuhida, Gifu Prefecture.

The staff were attentive, the facilities were good, and the onsen felt healing. Such a lovely visit, and I’m already thinking about another trip :)

My friends and I had a really interesting time here. We all enjoyed it, and I’d definitely recommend a visit.

There’s no washing area, which caught me off guard. I asked and was told it was okay to wash by the drain, so that’s what I did. Just know you’ll be completely visible while washing, and there isn’t much else to look at. The water is very clear, so you’re visible in the bath too. Women can wear a bathing suit or bath towel if they’d rather not be seen. There’s apparently no issue with bringing your own drinks, and I think that’s a good idea. The Thursday schedule can be confusing. Some listings say it’s closed Thursdays, but it seems to close every other Thursday, and I happened to go on an open one. It was nearly empty and relaxing. Usually, even on a weekday, there are around 10 people, and I heard about 150 came over the previous Golden Week holiday. The lot only holds about 15 or 20 cars, so people have apparently parked at a nearby roadside station and walked over. I was also told the water can get a little cloudy when it’s crowded.