Historic Heike Spots and Hidden Hot Springs! Recommended Sightseeing in Nikko’s Yunishigawa Onsen

Located within Nikko National Park in Tochigi Prefecture, Yunishigawa Onsen is a hot spring village along the Yunishigawa River. This area is home to a renowned hot spring that once healed the Heike refugees. With over 400 years of history and an abundance of nature, the origins of Yunishigawa Onsen are deeply connected to the legend of the fallen Heike clan. This time, we’ll introduce the charm of Yunishigawa Onsen and sightseeing spots related to the Heike refugee legend that continue to fascinate visitors.

1. Heike no Sato (Regional History Museum)

Yunishigawa Onsen retains the legend of the Heike refugees. Heike no Sato, created from the renovation of old thatched-roof houses, displays important cultural properties and folk crafts of high cultural value that are essential for telling the history of this region. Beyond the unique atmosphere of the exhibits, it is a precious tourist spot where you can glimpse the lifestyle of the Heike people who lived in the Yunishigawa area during that era.
At the folk craft workshop, you’ll find traditional wooden ladles (ki-jakushi) and the tools used to make them on display. You can also view Heike armor, family trees, and illustrated scrolls of The Tale of the Heike. The largest building in the facility, the Local Culture Training Hall, is a place where traditional performing arts and folktales of Yunishigawa Onsen are passed down. Additionally, during the annual Heike Festival, this space is widely known as one of the main venues.

2. Tourist Center “Yunishigawa Mizu no Sato”

Yunishigawa Mizu no Sato serves as a tourist center where you can find up-to-date information on Yunishigawa Onsen. In addition to shopping for souvenirs and local specialties, you can also enjoy the hot springs and gourmet offerings. Their specialty, handmade soba, is highly recommended—once you try it, you’ll be hooked. It’s a dish that lets you enjoy the full, direct flavor of the soba.
Right across the prefectural road in front of “Yunishigawa Mizu no Sato,” you can see a great nezuko tree, designated as a natural monument of Nikko City. Estimated to be 600 years old, the tree stands 25 meters tall with a trunk circumference of over 6 meters. Its powerful presence captivates all who see it.
“Yunishigawa Mizu no Sato” is full of the area’s charms. Nearby, you’ll find attractions like a large suspension bridge, free foot baths, and hiking trails through a well-maintained forest—plenty of ways to fully enjoy Yunishigawa Onsen.

3. Heike Festival of Yunishigawa

An unmissable annual event in Yunishigawa Onsen Village is the Heike Festival. This festival, held once a year, is a seasonal tradition that draws large crowds. On the special stage set up inside Heike no Sato, you can enjoy performances of the Heike biwa (lute), Japanese taiko drumming, and many other events that make the festival even more exciting.
The highlight is the Heike Picture Scroll Grand Procession. People dressed as Heike warriors, princesses, and refugees parade through the hot spring village, creating an impressive spectacle. Anyone can participate in the grand procession by signing up in advance. Why not join as a member of the Heike procession and enjoy the festival firsthand? More than 800 years after the Battle of Dan-no-ura, the legend of the Heike refugees is still passed down—experience the romantic world of The Tale of the Heike for yourself.

4. Yunishigawa Onsen

Yunishigawa Onsen Village is a hot spring area with an 800-year history, said to have once healed the wounds of the fallen Heike warriors. Even today, this land is home to numerous hidden hot springs, attracting many tourists every year who come to enjoy its famous baths. Taking a slow soak in the hot springs while savoring delicious local cuisine is one of the main pleasures of visiting Yunishigawa Onsen. The area has three public baths and many historic ryokan inns. After sightseeing in Yunishigawa Onsen, be sure to take your time to fully indulge in its renowned waters.

◆ Honke Bankyu

With a 345-year history, Honke Bankyu offers guest rooms where you can view the clear streams of the deep mountains from every window. Creative kaiseki cuisine served around a sunken hearth (irori) and a healthy breakfast are made with plenty of seasonal local ingredients, giving guests a special experience akin to tasting all of Yunishigawa in one sitting.
The inn features one indoor and one outdoor bath each for men and women, along with three private open-air baths. The men’s and women’s outdoor baths are located right beside the Yunishigawa River—so close you could almost touch the water if you reached out your hand. All baths use free-flowing natural spring water straight from the source. Between the main building and the dining hall, you’ll find the “Kazura Bridge,” a suspension bridge cherished by many visitors as a symbol of forming bonds.

◆ Heike no Sho, an Inn Connected to the Kanmu Taira Clan

Founded in 1718, Heike no Sho is a ryokan converted from a traditional old house, offering a nostalgic and charming atmosphere. Numerous period furnishings are displayed throughout, making you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. These valuable pieces never fail to fascinate visitors.
Each room has its own distinctive style—some recreate samurai residences, others feature earthen walls, and some have decorative panels of rare woods. With lush mountain scenery visible from the windows, the ambiance is truly rich. The inn boasts ten baths in total, all filled with free-flowing water from two natural hot spring sources, ensuring a luxurious experience that melts away fatigue.

◆ Taira no Takafusa

A favorite among hot spring enthusiasts, Taira no Takafusa is a hidden gem located in Oku-Yunishigawa. From its open-air baths, you can enjoy breathtaking seasonal landscapes and a sky full of stars at night. The dining hall, built with beautiful wooden architecture, exudes warmth, and features meals enjoyed around an irori. Special seasonal dishes such as bear hot pot and venison hot pot add to the unique mountain village charm.
Within the premises, you can visit historical sites preserved for 500 years, such as the “Meoto-gi Sama” (Sacred Married Trees), the “Eleven-faced Kannon Statue,” and the “Sanno Inari Shrine.” The grounds also feature a wistful wisteria trellis and delicate rhododendrons, among other seasonal plants. Here, you can leisurely experience the shifting beauty of Yunishigawa’s four seasons.

◎ Summary

Yunishigawa Onsen Village is a treasure trove of history with hidden charms yet to be discovered. Here, you can soak in the famous waters that once healed the fallen Heike warriors, savor a variety of local dishes, and admire the beauty of nature through the seasons. In Yunishigawa Onsen, you can enjoy a romantic and healing time surrounded by nature. Explore its many scenic attractions and step into the captivating world of the Heike fugitive legend!