Oyasukyo Great Fountain

Koyasukyo Daifunto is a photogenic hot-spring gorge where the fast-flowing Minase River has carved a deep V-shaped valley over many years, and it is one of Yuzawa City’s autumn foliage spots. Beyond fall colors, the gorge is also enjoyable in spring for fresh greenery, and in winter for massive icicles called "shigakko" that hang down into the canyon. There are two entrances down to the Daifunto area, and the stairways built along the rocks can be steep in places, so caution is needed. For those with concerns about mobility, the route from the "Daifunto Parking Lot" side is generally easier, but if stairs are difficult, the view from Kawarayu Bridge—just a short walk from the parking area—is recommended. Looking down from the high bridge onto the steaming Daifunto makes for a truly scenic, camera-worthy viewpoint. The gorge’s main highlight, "Daifunto," refers to the promenade area at the bottom of the stairs, where boiling water and steam burst vigorously from the ground. This is a rare landform even on a global scale, where cracks in a geothermal reservoir are exposed, and the air is filled with the distinctive scent of sulfur. A foot bath is available at the parking lot to soothe tired feet after the climb. Access is straightforward: from Yuzawa IC on the Yuzawa-Yokote Road, follow Route 398 for about 50 minutes. A large roadside parking lot makes it an easy sightseeing stop.