Shibu Onsen

Shibu Onsen is a charming hot spring town where you can enjoy local food, a nostalgic streetscape, and an onsen-hopping experience across baths with different benefits. The 100% natural hot spring water has been carefully protected by the town and is said to be very hot and satisfying. Baths are numbered 1 through 9; after bathing in order, visiting Shibukou Yakushi is said to bring blessings. Enjoy the luxury of snacking on gelato, wagashi, and other treats while strolling—and then hopping into a bath whenever you feel like it. Another big charm is the local community: while it’s a famous tourist spot, locals also do the nine-bath tour, so chatting with people can become part of the fun. Nearby is Jigokudani (famous for monkeys bathing in hot springs), and within town, Onsen-ji Temple has cute “three monkeys” sculptures posing as “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”—don’t forget a photo. Note that the usable hours for the nine baths differ between guests staying at Shibu Onsen lodgings and day visitors / those staying elsewhere, so plan accordingly.