Bessho Onsen
Bessho Onsen blends the historic and retro with pure relaxation, as one of Nagano’s best-known Showa Period (1926-1989) hot spring towns while also containing a beautiful collection of temples. Conveniently located near Nagano, Ueda, and Karuizawa, Bessho Onsen can be enjoyed as a daytrip from any of those cities or most enjoyably, as an overnight / multiday visit at all times of year. Any season in which you visit will have you finding something to enjoy, whether it be the cherry blossoms of Spring, the festivals of Summer, the colorful leaves of Autumn, or the snow and snowsports activities of Winter.
— More Things to Do Around Bessho Onsen
— Tours and Charters Around Bessho Onsen
If you are planning a trip to Bessho Onsen, or just the Nagano Area in general and are looking for things to do, this page is for you. Continue reading below for the best info, tips, and recommendations for enjoying your stay in Bessho Onsen.
WHERE IS BESSHO ONSEN?
Bessho Onsen is located at the base of the mountains around 15-20 minutes / 10 km by train from Ueda City. Surrounded by forests and farms, the area is charming and offers scenic rural scenery that seems a world away from the cities. The nearest major station is Ueda Station, which is serviced by the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line allowing for easy access to both Tokyo and Nagano. The area can serve as a day trip from a number of nearby locations thanks to this easy access, and can even be reached from Tokyo in only a little over 2 hours despite its overall isolation. If you have access to a car, the nearby Utsukushigahara Kogen and Venus Line offer great driving, hiking, and views, and going back to your hotel to bathe in the onsen afterwards would complete a perfect day.
HOW TO ENJOY BESSHO ONSEN
Once you’ve stepped off the train at Bessho Onsen’s delightfully retro train station, you will have a number of options for how to spend your time. The first thing to do, if you have chosen a multi-day stay, would of course be to check in to your hotel or ryokan. As a popular hot spring town, there are a wide variety of options, but wherever you choose will have a hot spring bath somewhere in the facilities (if you choose a more luxurious room, you may even get one in your own room!). Simply heading in to the hotel, relaxing, and visiting the bath multiple times a day is an ideal way to destress and enjoy the health benefits of the onsen waters.
However, there are of course many more things to do around town beyond the confines of your room, and day-trippers will have no shortage of options either. First are the public baths of Bessho Onsen; you will find three of these throughout town, and all allow day use by visitors. They are the ‘Oyu’, ‘Daishiyu’ and ‘Ishiyu’ – small, gender-segregated bathhouses open from 06:00 to 22:00 and costing JPY250 for admission. Pictured above is the Ishiyu – as you can see, the buildings are traditional with beautiful roof lines and lovely architecture to enhance the experience. Going for a stroll, stopping for lunch or snacks, and the entering one of these onsen is the best way to enjoy the town.
Bessho Onsen was once a center of local governance in past centuries, and still maintains some impressive temples as a symbol of that bygone era. Most famous is Anrakuji, beloved for its pagoda as seen above – the only surviving eight-sided pagoda in Japan and a registered National Treasure. Located behind the temple’s main hall, the pagoda is believed to date to the 13th century in a style consistent with that prevalent under the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1279), which had a major influence on Buddhism in Japan.
Once you’ve seen the major sites, another great way to enjoy the day is to stroll through the surrounding countryside. Beautiful mountain scenery compliments rice and vegetable fields which spread out down the valleys. Rental bicycles are available and can allow for a visit to slightly further attractions. Hiking is also possible in the nearby mountains, and a long day of exercise will make the baths all the more enticing.
MORE THINGS TO DO AROUND BESSHO ONSEN
If you find yourself in Bessho Onsen for a couple of days, rest assured that there is plenty to do beyond the immediate area. Nearby Ueda offers amazing history in the form of Ueda Castle and its connection to the once powerful Sanada Clan. In Spring, the blooming cherry blossoms and flowers around the valley will make for a great sight, and the colorful show of red and yellow leaves in fall is breathtaking. To learn more about what the area has to offer the traveler, please see our page ‘25 Things to Do Around Ueda / Bessho Onsen and Where to Stay‘ for more info.
TOURS AND CHARTERS AROUND BESSHO ONSEN
With so much to see in Bessho Onsen, taking part in a tour is a great way to make the most of your day. As Nagano’s No.1 Tour Provider, we are glad to offer our services in the way of group tours, private tours, and private charters, and will always do our best to make your visit unforgettable. For more information concerning these services, continue reading below or click the relevant button at the bottom of the page.
While we do not currently have group tours visiting Bessho Onsen, private charter services are available. We can pick you up from a location of your choice anywhere in Central Japan, and bring you to your preferred destination. Airport pickup from Tokyo or Nagoya is also possible. Our services may be used for taking day trips that include a few hard to reach destinations as well, removing the hassle of using often infrequent public transport options. A guide can be requested for an additional fee to turn the day into a completely private tour, where you decide the itinerary and our guides show you around in a timely and engaging manner. For more information concerning pricing and availability, please see here.
