Two Hot Spring Sources in Hishino
Komoro City is home to eight hot spring sources, two of which are located in the Hishino Onsen area: Hishino Onsen and Hishino Yakushi-no-Yu.
Each source has its own characteristics, and the waters have long been enjoyed by local residents and visitors seeking the traditional Japanese hot spring experience.
Two Unique Hot Spring Inns
Tokiwa-kan: Ride the “Kumonosuke” Mountain Train
Hishino Onsen Tokiwa-kan is one of the area’s best-known traditional hot spring inns. One of its most distinctive features is the unusual way guests reach its elevated open-air bath.
Guests can board the dedicated “Kumonosuke” mountain train, which climbs the hillside to an elevation of approximately 1,050 meters. The ride itself becomes part of the hot spring experience as the small train ascends through the mountain landscape.
At the top, guests can enjoy an open-air bath with expansive views over the Saku Basin and the surrounding mountains. Soaking in warm mineral water while looking out across the highland landscape creates a memorable sense of escape from everyday life.
Yakushikan: The Dreamlike “Ukishima Bath”
Hishino Onsen Yakushikan draws its water from Hishino Yakushi-no-Yu and offers another unusual bathing experience.
Its famous “Ukishima Bath” is reached through a passage with a cave-like atmosphere. The bath is designed to make use of the natural terrain, creating the impression that the bath is floating within the surrounding forest.
The combination of rock, trees, and hot spring water creates an atmospheric setting that feels far removed from an ordinary urban spa. For travelers looking for an unusual Japanese onsen experience, it offers a memorable alternative to conventional bathing facilities.
A Hot Spring Destination with a Modern Twist
A Popular Setting for Cosplay Photography
In recent years, Hishino Onsen has also attracted attention as a destination where visitors can enjoy cosplay photography. The traditional appearance of the inns, mountain surroundings, forests, and atmospheric bathing facilities provide distinctive settings for a variety of photographic themes.
Traditional Japanese clothing, historical costumes, and fantasy-inspired outfits can all complement the scenery. Accommodation plans combining overnight stays and photography opportunities, as well as special events, have helped introduce Hishino Onsen to new audiences from outside the region.
Connections with “Long Riders!”
Hishino Onsen is also associated with the popular manga and anime series “Long Riders!”, which features the area as one of its settings.
Through this connection, special events and limited-edition merchandise featuring characters from the series have been offered. The combination of anime culture, cycling-related travel, and the natural scenery of the hot spring area has created a distinctive destination for fans.
Surrounded by the Mountains of Eastern Nagano
Hishino Onsen is surrounded by a rich natural environment and is well positioned for exploring the mountain attractions around Komoro.
Nearby highlights include Mt. Asama, Takamine Kogen, Kaikoen Park, and the Komoro Kogen Museum of Art and Shirotori Eisetsu Museum. Depending on the season, visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and the quiet atmosphere of the mountains in winter.
The area is also suitable for hiking and stargazing. Away from the bright lights of large cities, the highland environment offers opportunities to appreciate the night sky as well as the scenery during the day.
Getting to Hishino Onsen
Hishino Onsen is approximately a 15-minute taxi ride from Komoro Station, served by JR and the Shinano Railway. Public bus services are limited, so travelers using public transportation should check the available services in advance.
By car, the hot spring area is approximately a 10-minute drive from the Joshinetsu Expressway Komoro Interchange. Both major inns have free parking, making the area convenient for travelers exploring Nagano by car.
A Unique Combination of Tradition and Contemporary Culture
Hishino Onsen offers much more than a traditional hot spring stay. Its history as a mountain hot spring destination is complemented by memorable experiences such as the Kumonosuke mountain train and the forest-surrounded Ukishima Bath.
At the same time, its connections with cosplay photography and anime demonstrate how a traditional Japanese hot spring destination can develop new ways of welcoming visitors while retaining its distinctive atmosphere.
A Peaceful Mountain Escape in Komoro
For travelers seeking a quiet retreat surrounded by nature, Hishino Onsen provides an atmospheric escape into the mountains of Nagano. Visitors can relax in hot spring baths, enjoy panoramic scenery, explore nearby hiking areas, and experience a side of Japanese culture that combines centuries-old bathing traditions with contemporary pop culture.
Whether you visit for a relaxing overnight stay, an outdoor adventure, scenic photography, or simply the chance to experience a distinctive mountain onsen, Hishino Onsen offers a memorable way to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty of Komoro.