The charms of Manza Onsen and 15 recommended sightseeing spots and open-air baths! A journey to feel the power of nature

Why not enjoy a day of hot springs, sightseeing, and skiing at Manza Onsen in Tsumagoi Village, Gunma Prefecture, which boasts the highest sulfur content in Japan? Manza Onsen is located at a high altitude of about 1,800m, and you can enjoy various colors of "cloudy water", such as milky white, blue, or greenish milky white. There is also a very rare "cloudy yellow" hot spring, which is the color of sulfur! You can take a stroll along the volcanic promenade where steam spews out, or enjoy autumn leaves and winter sports at Manza Onsen Ski Resort. In addition, we will introduce the wonderful open-air baths of recommended accommodations. Visit Manza Onsen, the inner sanctum of Karuizawa, where many tourists visit for hot spring therapy, and explore the surrounding tourist attractions.

What is Manza Onsen?

Manza Onsen, which springs up at an altitude of about 1,800m in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, is a famous hot spring with over 20 different spring qualities. It is said to have a daily output of over 5.4 million liters, and water is drawn from about 18 sources, including Yubatake (Ubayu), Daikuyu, Tetsuyu, Suzuyu, and Kuyu. As there are many sources, most of which are acidic sulfur springs, you can soak in a variety of cloudy waters at Manza Onsen.

You can also enjoy the alpine flowers around Manza Onsen. From May to June, you can see the mountain azalea and field thistle, from July to early August, the white rhododendron and dicentra, and until late August, the willow herb and the twisted lily.

Manza Onsen is located on the west side of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, where volcanic activity is active, and can be accessed by car from Karuizawa Station on the Hokuriku Expressway or Usui-Karuizawa IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway, via the Onioshi Highway and the Manza Highway. Manza Onsen is a high-alpine hot spring resort with a variety of attractions for sightseeing and leisure in all four seasons, with fresh greenery in spring, a summer resort, autumn leaves in autumn, and winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

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1. Yubatake

The Yubatake in Manza, located in the middle of nature, is a hot spring with a completely different atmosphere from the one in Kusatsu. It is the largest hot spring in Manza Onsen and has a milky greenish-white color. It is not possible to get close to it because it emits hydrogen sulfide gas, but it can be clearly seen from the promenade.

2. Kumashiroyama Promenade

At the back of Manza Onsen, Mt. Kumashiro has a promenade where you can experience an active volcano. As you go up from Nisshinkan, you will see the Manza Yakushido. If you go up further, you will find the Kumashiro Cave, and you can cross the bridge over the Manza River to head to the observation deck with a gazebo. You can see the view of the Yubatake and the hotel while you are walking. It will be even more fun to soak in the hot spring after seeing the Yubatake and the pipes for drawing hot water installed in various places.

There are various courses you can walk on the promenade, and you can go to the observation deck by climbing straight up from Kumashiro Cave without crossing the bridge. In winter, you cannot walk on the promenade due to snow, but if you visit Manza Onsen from spring to autumn, it is definitely worth walking on it. However, hydrogen sulfide gas is generated all over the promenade, so never enter the areas cordoned off by ropes.

◆ Manza Yakushido

At the entrance to the promenade, there is the Manza Yakushido, the guardian deity of Manza Onsen. Inside, Yakushi Nyorai is enshrined, so be sure to pay your respects before proceeding.

Manza Yakushido will be holding a countdown and 2019 New Year's Shrine Visit event for about an hour from 23:30 on New Year's Eve! If you are celebrating the New Year at a hotel in Manza Onsen, why not visit Yakushido, located at an altitude of about 1,800m, where the candlelight creates a fantastic atmosphere? Sake and sweet sake service is also planned.

◆ Kumashiro Cave (Kumashiro Shrine and Inami Shrine)

A red torii gate marks the Kumashiro Cave (Kumashiro Shrine). Inazunagu Shrine is enshrined in the cave.

The site is a designated historic site by Tsumagoi Village and is thought to be the remains of a prehistoric dwelling, as Yayoi-style pottery has been discovered there. There is also a legend that when the hunter Kumashiro was sleeping outdoors, he was saved from danger by his two beloved dogs, Kuma and Shiro.

3. Manza River

The Manza River that flows out of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane is a highly acidic river with a pH of 2 to 3. As a result, no fish live in it. It flows along the footpath of Mt. Kumashiro, and there is a bridge over it, so you can see it up close.

4. Manza Nature Information Center

The Manza Nature Information Center is located at the Manza Onsen Bus Terminal, which is the gateway to Manza Onsen from the Manza Highway. It houses a tourist information desk for Manza Onsen and displays information on volcanoes, hot springs, alpine plants, and creatures that live in the surrounding area. There are also clean toilets on the premises.

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5. Air blowing

It's located right next to the Manza Onsen Bus Terminal, and there's a free parking space, so feel free to drop by.

Karabuki is the remains of a former crater. Rainwater and groundwater seeping in from the ground turns into steam and erupts from the rocks of the crater site along with hydrogen sulfide gas. The sight is overwhelming, as you can feel the power of the fumarolic activity of an active volcano. You can't get close because toxic gases are emitted, but if you follow the sign for "Manza Karabuki Observatory" and climb the stairs, you'll be able to see the whole view from the observation deck.

Looking at Karafuki, to the left is a river of hot water flowing from a spring. You can feel the energy of the earth, and the surrounding landscape with not a single plant growing there gives you a unique sense of the power of nature.

6. Ushiike Pond

The pond was named "Manza Cow Pond" because cowherds who transported people and luggage to Manza Onsen tied up their cows here. The circumference of the pond is about 200m, so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll for about 20 minutes.

The promenade is well maintained, so it is recommended for families with children. The water is acidic, so it is so clear that you can see the bottom of the lake, and the reflection of the surrounding trees and the colors of the sky is breathtakingly beautiful. Along the promenade, you can see various alpine plants such as the carnivorous sundew, and depending on the season, you can also see the cute pink flower called willow herb.

In autumn, the colorful autumn leaves are beautiful, and you can enjoy the mysterious scenery of the red and yellow autumn leaves reflected in the pond. Ushiike is a lush tourist spot with a completely different atmosphere from Kumashiro Promenade and Sorabuki. It is a walkway with a well-maintained boardwalk, so it is perfect for a casual stroll in between sightseeing at Manza Onsen, or before taking a bath at Manza Onsen.

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7. Manza Onsen Ski Resort

Manza Onsen is home to the Manza Kogen Ski Resort, which starts at an altitude of 1,994m, has an elevation difference of about 400m, and a maximum run length of about 2,000m. Once you leave Manza Prince Hotel, you can start skiing down the Prince slope!

At the top of the Prince slope is the Manzayama slope, which stretches all the way to the summit of Mt. Manza. You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on a wide variety of courses, from beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses, to forest courses and ungroomed zones. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Mt. Asama and Myoko Kogen. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mt. Fuji from the top of the lift.

Manza Kogen Ski Resort not only offers winter activities, but also operates the "Autumn Leaves Lift" in October, where you can ride the lift to enjoy the autumn leaves. You can also enjoy a stroll along the Ushiike Promenade.

8. The Yugama Hot Springs of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane

The "Yugama" of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane is a beautiful crater lake with a milky green color. It is about 300m in diameter and 30m deep, and is one of the world's most acidic lakes with a pH of about 1. The road from Manza Onsen to Yugama is closed due to snow from mid-November to late April, and is often inaccessible even outside of winter due to the high eruption alert level. Be sure to check the latest eruption alert level and road conditions.

The best way to visit Yugama is from the "Kusatsu-Shirane Rest House Parking Lot", which is closest to the Yugama Observatory. However, the "Shiga-Kusatsu Road (National Route 292)" that runs from Manza Onsen to Kusatsu in the east direction via Mount Kusatsu-Shirane is on a high alert level and is often closed. Kusatsu-Shirane Rest House is in that section, so if you can get there, you're very lucky! Be sure to go and see the beautiful Yugama.

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9. The highest point on a national highway in Japan

The Shiga-Kusatsu Road (National Route 292) runs from Manza northwards via Mount Kusatsu-Shirane to Shiga Kogen in Nagano Prefecture and is passable except in winter when it is closed due to snow. It is a recommended driving course from spring to autumn.

Just before Shiga Kogen, at an altitude of 2,172m, is the "Highest Point of a National Route in Japan," the highest point of any national route in Japan. If you visit during Golden Week, you will still see snow walls. There is a stone monument marking this "Highest Point of a National Route in Japan," and it is perfect for viewing the spectacular panoramic view and beautiful autumn leaves.

10. Tsumagoi Ranch

On the way to Manza Onsen, there is Tsumagoi Ranch, which is also recommended as a viewpoint. Located at an altitude of about 1,400m, the vast Tsumagoi Ranch of about 70 hectares offers a magnificent panoramic view of Mt. Asama and Mt. Azuma. The giant oak tree, which is the symbolic tree, is also a must-see. Tsumagoi Ranch has been used as a location for dramas such as the NHK morning drama "Fight", and is also the location for the music video of Remioromen.

Tsumagoi Village is famous as a sacred place for loving husbands because of its name. Pass through the gate of the Loving Husband Temir Principles advocated by the Japan Loving Husbands Association, stand on the footprints of the hug mat, confess your love to each other, and take a commemorative photo. Shout out your love to Mt. Asama at the "Beloved Wife's Bell" at Tsumagoi Ranch.

At the rest house where you can take a break, the "Aisuma Sloppy Joe" hamburger, which won first place at the "Tsumagoi Festival C-class Gourmet Cabbage Alley", is very popular among tourists. The combination of Tsumagoi's specialty cabbage and special meat sauce is exquisite. Freshly squeezed milk and soft-serve ice cream from Tsumagoi Farm are also recommended. Freshly harvested agricultural products from Tsumagoi are also sold.

Tsumagoi Farm, where you can enjoy the idyllic scenery and spend a relaxing time, is about 15 minutes by car from Manza Onsen, so be sure to add it to your sightseeing lineup.

11. Manza Prince Hotel

Manza Prince Hotel, a luxury resort representing Manza Onsen, has a total of five open-air baths, Komakusa-no-Yu, including two for men only, two for women only, and one for mixed use. In winter, you can relax in the open-air bath while watching the snow, taking in the spectacular panoramic mountain views.

There is also Shakunage-no-Yu, a covered open-air bath for women only, and Nanakamado-no-Yu, an indoor bath for men and women. Enjoy hot springs and skiing at Manza Prince Hotel, located in a belt location adjacent to the Manza Onsen Ski Resort.

Located in the center of the slopes of Manza Onsen Ski Resort, Manza Prince Hotel is in the perfect location, with the slopes right in front of you as soon as you leave the hotel! This is a high-class resort hotel that is highly recommended for winter activities at Manza Onsen.

12. Manza Kogen Hotel

Why not try the "Sekitei Open-Air Bath" with 4 types of hot springs and 8 baths, including rare yellow cloudy water, bluish milky white or greenish cloudy water, and a colorless transparent water that is rare in Manza?

The open-air bath at the Prince Hotel "Manza Kogen Hotel" is very spacious and has a variety of hot springs. You can enjoy the luxury of soaking in the open-air bath surrounded by nature while listening to the murmuring of the river. The Seitei Open-Air Bath is a mixed bath, but you can rent a special bath towel or purchase a special bathing suit at the shop. If you are uncomfortable with mixed bathing, there is also a covered open-air bath with yellow cloudy water in the women's only area, past the washing area from the women's changing room. The Seitei Open-Air Bath, a hot spring theme park in the mixed bathing area, is on the other side of the partition.

13. Manza Hotel Juraku

The best thing about Manza Hotel Juraku is that you can gaze out at Sorafuki while bathing in the open-air bath at Manza Onsen. Enjoy this luxury in the open-air bath with indoor bath, Unkai no Yu, located on the third floor of the hotel.

The high-concentration sulfur spring water from the hotel's own source in Okumanza is, of course, a free-flowing source. Separate baths are available for men and women, but one of the baths has two open-air baths, so the baths are switched between men and women.

The terrace, Sorafuki Observatory, located right next to the large bath, is popular for cooling off while enjoying the view of Sorafuki. The healt

14. Manza Onsen Nisshinkan

Located near the Yubatake, the hotel "Manza Onsen Nisshinkan" is billed as "Japan's highest altitude hot spring." At Nisshinkan, we recommend the open-air observation bath "Gokuraku-yu," where you can bathe while watching the majestic mountains, the orange sunset, and the starry sky!

The large bath "Choju-no-yu" also has a covered open-air bath "Ubanigayu" and a medicinal bath "Sasa-yu" with bamboo grass floating in it. In addition to the "Nigayu," "Ubayu," and "Mayu" baths, the indoor baths have a refreshing "Taki-yu" bath to soothe your daily fatigue.

15. White Iron Hot Spring "Manzatei"

Manzatei, an inn with milky white sulfur springs that originate from the "Hakutetsu no Yu" hot spring, is located on the west side of Nisshinkan. The open-air bath at Manzatei is called the "log open-air bath," and is located on the roof of a log house.

The indoor bath has a completely different atmosphere from the open-air log bath. The indoor bath is made of Japanese cypress and has a charming atmosphere while still exuding the warmth of wood. In both the open-air log bath and the indoor bath, you can relax in the milky white water of the Shiratetsu-no-Yu hot spring.

◎Access to Manza Onsen

If you are going to Manza Onsen by public transportation, you can take a bus or taxi from Karuizawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Guests staying at Manza Prince Hotel and Manza Kogen Hotel can use the free shuttle bus to and from Karuizawa Station.
*The free shuttle bus exclusively for guests of Manza Prince Hotel and Manza Kogen Hotel is available by reservation only, except in winter and on certain days.

If you are driving, it is about 100 minutes from Usui Karuizawa IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway via Onioshi Highway and Manza Highway.

*The Manza Highway (toll road) is passable all year round. However, in winter, it is essential to prepare studless tires and tire chains.
*The Shiga-Kusatsu Kogen Route, which connects Shiga Kogen to Mt. Shirane to (Manza Onsen to) Kusatsu Onsen in the shortest time, is closed in winter due to snow from mid-November to mid-April of the following year.
*The Shiga-Kusatsu Kogen Route may be closed from mid-April to mid-November depending on the eruption alert level of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane.

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◎The "Hot Springs Tour Ticket" is also recommended!

Manza Onsen is attractive both as a hot spring resort and for its spring quality. We have also introduced sightseeing in the surrounding area and recommended open-air baths. There are many tourist attractions in the area that are full of attractions throughout the year. Be sure to visit Manza Onsen and the surrounding sightseeing.

After enjoying sightseeing or skiing, soak in the open-air baths with cloudy water containing a high sulfur content and relax both body and mind. If you cannot stay at a hotel and relax, you can just take a day trip to the baths. If

you want to take a bath in multiple open-air baths, we recommend the "Yumeguri Tegata." After enjoying sightseeing or skiing where you can feel the energy and power of nature, soaking in the open-air baths of Manza Onsen is something special! There are baths for guests and for day trips, so please contact your hotel or the Manza Onsen Tourism Association.