A Special Experience in a Hidden Retreat: Kamenoi Hotel Nikko Yunishigawa All-Inclusive Resort

If you plan to travel on specified Nikko Kotsu bus routes for two days, consider using the “Kinugawa Edo Wonderland Yunishigawa 2-Day Pass.”
A round-trip fare from Tobu Nikko Station, via Kinugawa Onsen, to Yunishigawa Onsen Station usually costs 4,100 yen, but with the free pass, you can reduce it to 2,800 yen.
Another plus is that it can be used to access popular Nikko attractions like Edo Wonderland and Tobu World Square.

The lobby lounge is the perfect spot to take a breather after checking in, to meet up with your travel companions, or simply to chat and unwind.
There, you’ll find local sake, sparkling wine, coffee, and a variety of sweets and snacks—all available at no additional charge. This is the true essence of an all-inclusive experience.
Sip on a drink or savor a sweet treat in front of the ever-changing fireplace as time passes, and enjoy warm conversations with family or friends at your own pace.

Both dinner and breakfast are served in a buffet format, allowing you to eat as much of what you like.
The “Feast of Satoyama Cuisine” dinner highlights an irori hearth—a traditional charcoal grill used in the Yunishigawa hot-spring region—for skewers of fish, vegetables, mochi, and tsukune meatballs. You can also indulge in grilled local chicken skewers marinated in a secret sauce to your heart’s content.
Venison stew, “sujiko onigiri” made with Tochigi-grown rice and prepared on the spot, plus whole vegetables you can bite into, are all-you-can-eat as well.

In the morning, the “Satoyama Buffet” offers a variety of local specialties in small bowls, including Nikko Yuba, freshly cooked dashimaki tamago (rolled omelet), chicken paitan porridge, and other wholesome dishes reflecting the simple flavors of the countryside.

There’s plenty to enjoy right inside the hotel, such as table tennis, darts, and a selection of card and board games you can borrow. Guests can also sample soft-boiled eggs made with natural spring water from Yunishigawa.
On a clear evening, relax on one of the hotel benches and take in the stunning night sky over Yunishigawa Onsen.
In winter, you can experience “kamakura,” snow domes molded from piled-up snow, and even borrow equipment for playing in the snow—unique thrills of a snowy region.
The hotel also provides free electric-assisted bicycles for exploring the surrounding area. Another nice perk is the free rental of yukata in various colors and patterns, so you can choose the one that suits you best.

Another highlight of your hotel stay is selecting your guest room. You can choose from three main types—Japanese-style, Western-style, or a combination of Japanese and Western elements—across seven different room styles.
Each Western-style room exudes a refined, tranquil ambiance, while the Japanese-Western room seamlessly blends two beds in a spacious Japanese tatami area, and the Japanese-style room lets you fully appreciate a traditional atmosphere. All rooms include either a bathtub or a shower, so even those who prefer private bathing facilities can relax with peace of mind.
No matter which room you choose, you’ll be able to admire the ever-changing seasonal views of Yunishigawa Onsen from your window.

Within the hotel, both a large communal bath and an open-air bath are available. In the open-air bath, brimming with a distinctly Japanese ambiance, you can enjoy a blissful moment while gazing at the seasonal scenery of Yunishigawa Onsen.
The large communal bath features wide windows, allowing you to take in the beautiful natural surroundings as well.
Yunishigawa Onsen’s water is mildly alkaline and is famously known for its skin-beautifying properties.
You can ease your tiredness while also enjoying potential beauty benefits—a double treat indeed.

Once you’ve relaxed in the onsen, spring’s gentle breezes make it perfect for a refreshing walk around the area—an easy way to rejuvenate both mind and body.
The front desk also lends out rackets and shuttlecocks, so you can enjoy a bit of light exercise if you wish.
Borrowing an electric-assisted bicycle is another great way to explore the hot-spring village, where new green leaves are budding, and immerse yourself in an otherworldly landscape.

On weekends from mid-July to early August each year, Yunishigawa Onsen hosts the “Yunishigawa Onsen Shin-kawaakari” event.
LED lights in seven different colors—called “Yamahotaru”—are placed inside beach balls and floated down the Yunishigawa River.
You can appreciate a magical scene as the gently bobbing lights drift downstream, accompanied by the ambiance of Japan’s summer season.

In autumn, the surrounding mountains are cloaked in vibrant fall colors, evoking the timeless beauty of a classic Japanese autumn.
There are several scenic spots for foliage near the hotel, such as Heike no Sato, Yunishigawa Dam, and Lake Ikari.
A walk in the vicinity allows you to immerse yourself in the enchanting autumn scenery unique to this remote region.

During winter, when snow blankets Yunishigawa Onsen, the sense of seclusion deepens, heightening the feeling of stepping into another world.
Winter activities like playing in the snow are a special treat in such a snowy locale.
From late January to early March each year, the “Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival” takes place.
As dusk falls during the festival, hundreds of small snow domes are lit, transforming the area into a magical space—so enchanting it has been recognized as part of Japan’s Nightscape Heritage.