A trip to Kinugawa Onsen wouldn't be complete without an overnight stay at this hot spring resort. Get your adrenaline pumping with rafting and hiking before relaxing in a bath, and then explore the famous Edo Wonderland theme park.
On Foot
Short walk
Feel the flow of the water and enjoy the wildlife while rafting down the Kinugawa River in a rubber boat. With a capacity of up to eight people per boat, passengers work together to navigate the river's clear water.
By bus
10 minutes from Kinugawa-Onsen Station by buses bound for Kawaji Onsen/Yunishigawa Onsen
The Ryuokyo Valley runs for approximately 6 kilometers along the Kinugawa River, with the hot-spring resorts of Kawaji Onsen and Kinugawa Onsen at either end. The mountains here were formed in an undersea volcanic eruption roughly 22 million years ago. Over the millennia, the force of the river’s currents and cascading stones chiseled away at the landscape, sculpting the gorge into its present configuration. The characters for ryu-o mean “dragon king,” a name given the valley in 1950 because its winding course is said to resemble the auspicious image of an ascending dragon.
Rocks visible from the nature trail that follows the river through the gorge tell the story of three distinct geological phenomena that contributed to its creation. The rocks of Shiryu, the upriver section, are mostly purplish andesite created in the early stages of the eruption. In the middle section, Seiryu, the rocks are primarily green tuff, which is formed when ash and other rock fragments are ejected from a volcanic vent. The extreme heat of the ash fuses it with the rock fragments, and the presence of copper in the mix stains the rock a bluish green. The rocks of Hakuryu, the downriver section, are predominantly rhyolite, a silica-rich volcanic rock characterized by its fine grain and a white appearance.
Each of the three sections showcases unusual formations shaped by erosion and the collapse of rocks as the river makes its way through the gorge. Although its flow may seem peaceful much of the time, the Kinugawa River earned its name—meaning “angry oni” (a mythical demon)—from the turbulence of the water and the noise of tumbling stones following heavy rainfalls.
On Foot
Hike back to central Kinugawa Onsen
Kinugawa Onsen is actually made up of two hot springs—Taki Onsen on the west bank of the Kinugawa River, and Fujiwara Onsen on the east. It’s known for its relaxing properties and it attracts many travelers each year. Currently Kinugawa Onsen has over 80 hotels and ryokans, ranging from traditional Japanese style to modern Western style.
By bus
20 minutes on buses bound for Edo Wonderland
Experience the culture of the Edo period (1603-1867) at Edo Wonderland. Soak in the atmosphere of centuries ago as you stroll through the realistically recreated towns and samurai residences. Enjoy family-friendly events such as a thrilling ninja show, and dress up as a samurai or princess as you interact with period role-playing staff. Edo Wonderland combines history with expansive, theme park-style amusement for an extraordinary day out with plenty of fun photo opportunities.
By bus
20 minutes on buses bound for Kinugawa-Onsen Station
