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An ancient hot spring with 1,300 years of history. People love to visit all nine hot springs with various medicinal effects as “Kyu-to meguri.”
Shibu Onsen Resort in Yudanaka is made up of nine hot springs along Yokoyu and Yomase Rivers in Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun in Nagano. Shibu Onsen is one of the nine, opened about 1,300 years ago, and has been used as a therapeutic bath.
There is so much hot water that people say “If you dig, you will get hot water.” All the inns and public baths in the resort have 100% source springs flowing constantly. The town folks have been maintaining nine public baths, which guests at Shibu Onsen can use without extra charge. (Non-guests can use the ninth bath Oyu alone for 500 yen, 10am-5pm.)
It will be fun to try the “Kyu-to meguri” - touring around the nine hot springs with a wish towel to put commemorative stamps on. At the inn you are staying, borrow the key to the outdoor bath, get the wish towel (350 yen) and head for the bath. It is said when you visit all nine baths, wash away your pains and worries, go up to Shibutaka-Yakushi Temple and make a wish, it will come true.
Enjoy “Kyu-to meguri” in the historic baths, find your favorite hot water and visit local people.
After soaking in the hot spring, meander in the retro town and find local gourmet food such as traditional onsen rice cakes, gelato to cool you down after a hot bath or the famous soba noodles.
You see many tourists in yukata meandering in town
Of the nine baths, the 9th, Shibu Oyu is the biggest and said to be effective for all ailments
The exterior of the 9th bath
Nanamo-no-Yu is said to be good for injury-related illnesses
A wish towel used for “Kyu-to meguri” tour
Free footbaths are in town. Nofutomaru on the rooftop of the 9th bath
