{"id":30153,"date":"2017-10-05T08:00:08","date_gmt":"2017-10-04T23:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=30153"},"modified":"2020-03-27T10:55:52","modified_gmt":"2020-03-27T01:55:52","slug":"gunma-nakanojo-shiriyaki-onsen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/gunma-nakanojo-shiriyaki-onsen\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Onsen in Nakanojo, Gunma"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sponsored by Nakanojo tourism association<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When people travel around Japan<\/strong>, usually going to at least one onsen is on their list of things to do. Though luxurious and relaxing, it can sometimes be expensive. There are also rules<\/strong> to worry about: where to put your things, having to shower beforehand, and so on. There\u2019s also the question of what to do if you have a tattoo, or if you simply don\u2019t like being naked in front of strangers. In that case, may I suggest a certain type of special onsen? For people on a budget, looking for an adventure<\/strong>, or just in the mood for something different, how about going to a \u201cHidden Onsen<\/strong>?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The station at Naganohara Kusatsuguchi<\/strong> is pretty big for being in such a remote area<\/strong> of rural Gunma<\/strong>. Limited Express trains<\/strong> from Tokyo<\/strong> frequently stop here, and tourists board the buses to nearby Kusatsu onsen<\/strong>. There is an air conditioned waiting room, a gift shop, and even an adjoining restaurant for hungry travelers. However, Kusatsu, being so popular, wasn\u2019t really what I had in mind this time.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n I was a little nervous getting on the \u201cbus<\/strong>\u201d to Kuni, which was more like a mini-van. Kuni Village became a part of Nakanojo in 2010, but it is much more rural<\/strong>. One thing about remote places, though, is that you can find some killer onsen there. As the bus drives into Nakanojo<\/strong>, the first thing you can see is the deep blue water<\/strong> running over the rocks. There is lots of beautiful scenery<\/strong>, and little else. Even things like convenience stores and ATMs are a bit harder to come by here, so do plan appropriately and bring some food, water, and money for the bus.\u00a0 The other people on the bus were headed towards Lake Nozori<\/strong>, but I got off by Hanashiki onsen<\/strong>, a picturesque little Ryokan that I stopped at for a second, then passed on by.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n To get to the hidden onsen<\/strong>, you may be wondering how to find it. There aren\u2019t really any English signs, and because of the high elevation, GPS doesn\u2019t always work so well. It\u2019s actually really easy though; just follow the only road! There\u2019s no actual sidewalk, but the road is pretty empty most of the time. Speaking of which, though I took the bus, if you can drive in Japan, it is much more convenient to do so here. The bus is rather infrequent, and the drive is more relaxing. As you go by, there are a few small hotels<\/strong> and ryokan<\/strong>. The Kuni area is also a good location for hiking<\/strong>. From the road, you can go on the Uta no Michi trail<\/strong>.\u00a0 After about 10 more minutes, I saw signs for Shiriyaki onsen<\/strong>.<\/p>\nAn On-sen off the Beaten Path<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Kuni: Just You and the Sound of Crickets<\/strong><\/h2>\n