Isawa Onsen, a Great Hot Spring Add-on to Mount Fuji

Visitors can enjoy a diverse range of activities including hot spring baths, seasonal festivals, and local cuisine. Isawa Onsen remains a top choice for travelers seeking relaxation and natural beauty, with a variety of accommodation options catering to different needs and preferences.

History of Isawa Onsen

Isawa Onsen is one of the largest and most renowned hot spring resorts in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, located near the metropolitan area. It gained fame in 1961 when hot water sprang from a vineyard and flowed into a nearby river, creating what is known as "Blue Sky Onsen." This discovery led to the development of Isawa as a popular hot spring destination.

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Notable Hot Springs

  1. Blue Sky Onsen: Known for its alkaline simple springs, it helps alleviate neuralgia, bruises, chronic digestive diseases, and cold sensitivity. The water makes the skin smooth and refreshing, easing fatigue.

  2. Nagomi no Yu: Opened in 1999, this town-operated facility combines hot springs with day services for the elderly, providing both relaxation and rehabilitation.

  3. New Source in 2002: A new hot spring source was discovered, offering mildly salty and alkaline water that is gentle on the skin and highly appreciated by visitors.

Popular Ryokan and Hotels that offer day use

  1. Keizan: Located near JR Isawa Onsen Station, Keizan features spacious baths, a large outdoor bath, and a nightly Taiko drum show. The inn offers Kaiseki cuisine and a wide variety of buffet options.

  2. Miyuki Onsen: Known for its abundant natural spring water, Miyuki Onsen offers unique baths such as Kaki no Yu (persimmon bath) and Momo no Yu (peach bath), as well as private baths.

  3. Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Hotel Shinko: Opened in 2012, this hotel features a variety of baths including herbal baths and saunas. It also offers entertainment facilities like karaoke, game corners, and foot baths.

  4. Hotel Yamanami: A serene hotel with wooden interiors, offering "Hinoki no Yu" (cypress bath) and "Suisho no Yu" (crystal bath) which feature open-air baths and saunas.

  5. Fuji no Ya: Known for its delicious cuisine and luxurious baths, this hotel provides a relaxing experience with its traditional Japanese ambiance and high-quality service.

Foot Bath Facilities

  • Isawa Gen-sen Foot Bath Plaza: Offers three different foot baths and a hand bath, including accessible facilities for wheelchair users. The baths, named Iyashi no Yu, Satori no Yu, and Wakagaeri no Yu, offer various benefits such as relieving fatigue and promoting circulation.

Accessibility and Surroundings

The area offers quick access to popular tourist destinations like Takeda Shrine, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, and Mount Fuji. The region also boasts fruit orchards and scenic spots perfect for nature lovers.

From Tokyo

Isawa Onsen is well-connected and easily accessible from major cities. It is a 90-minute journey from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo via the JR Chuo Line to Isawa Onsen Station.

From / To Mount Fuji

To get to Isawa Onsen from Mount Fuji, you have several transportation options:

By Train and Bus

  1. From Kawaguchiko Station:

    • Take the Fujikyu Railway from Kawaguchiko Station to Otsuki Station. This journey takes about 55 minutes.
    • At Otsuki Station, transfer to the JR Chuo Line and take a train bound for Kofu Station. This journey takes about 35 minutes.
    • From Kofu Station, transfer to the JR Chuo Line local train and get off at Isawa Onsen Station. This takes about 10 minutes.

  2. From Gotemba Station:

    • Take the JR Gotemba Line from Gotemba Station to Kozu Station. This journey takes about 1 hour.
    • At Kozu Station, transfer to the JR Tokaido Line and take a train bound for Kofu Station. This journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
    • From Kofu Station, transfer to the JR Chuo Line local train and get off at Isawa Onsen Station. This takes about 10 minutes.

By Car

  • Drive from Mount Fuji to Isawa Onsen. The distance is approximately 50 kilometers, and the drive takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Summary

  1. Option 1 (Train from Kawaguchiko Station):

    • Kawaguchiko Station → Otsuki Station (Fujikyu Railway, ~55 minutes)
    • Otsuki Station → Kofu Station (JR Chuo Line, ~35 minutes)
    • Kofu Station → Isawa Onsen Station (JR Chuo Line, ~10 minutes)

  2. Option 2 (Train from Gotemba Station):

    • Gotemba Station → Kozu Station (JR Gotemba Line, ~1 hour)
    • Kozu Station → Kofu Station (JR Tokaido Line, ~1 hour 40 minutes)
    • Kofu Station → Isawa Onsen Station (JR Chuo Line, ~10 minutes)

  3. Option 3 (Car):

    • Drive from Mount Fuji to Isawa Onsen (~1 hour 20 minutes)

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