At Toyama’s Hot Springs, Let Famous Hot Springs and Spectacular Views Soothe You, and Bounties from the Mountains and the Sea Satiate You

Unazuki Onsen is the starting point for a trip to Kurobe Gorge, one of the deepest in Japan. In this hot spring town, you’ll find a public bath, footbaths, coffee shops, and stores selling onsen manju (hot spring buns), and you may even see people strolling around in summer kimonos. Hot spring water is drawn from Kuronagi, located upstream, and brought to the inns along the Kurobe River. Some inns allow you to bathe as if you were one with the magnificent nature, and the spectacular view spreading out before you will calmly heal your mind. The hot spring is called "hot water of beauty," and its mildly alkaline spring water is known for its ability to smooth the skin. There are various theories about the origin of the name Unazuki, but it is said that it was given because it’s a place with a more beautiful view of the moon than Uji or Nara.
 

Himi Hot Spring Village is located in the coastal area of Himi City, which is famous for its "Himi winter yellowtail" catch. The chloride spring water is known to keep the body warm even after bathing, and is said to be effective for chronic skin diseases and women's diseases. The inns vary in style, with about 20 inns and guesthouses where visitors can enjoy hot spring baths. The specialty of these inns is seafood cuisine using fresh seafood landed at the Himi Fishing Port. Visitors can enjoy different fresh fish every season, but especially popular are the Winter Yellowtail dishes from late November to early February.
 

Located in the southwestern part of Toyama Prefecture, Shogawa Onsen Area is a hot spring resort near the Shogawa Gorge, which has been selected as one of the 100 Best Sightseeing Spots in Japan. The hot spring town has long been popular as a therapeutic location. Each inn has its own hot spring source, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy different qualities of spring water.

The Shogawa Ayu sweetfish is nurtured using the water of the Shogawa River, which is famous for its clear water. From early summer to autumn, guests can enjoy the taste and aroma of the Shogawa Ayu sweetfish in a variety of dishes. Vegetables grown using the rich minerals from the hot springs as fertilizer are also used in the breakfast menu.
 

Kitayama Kosen, located in the mountains of Uozu City, has been a therapeutic bath since the end of the Edo period and is a quiet place with a lovely view. It’s known as a hot spring for fertility, and it’s said that if you visit the nearby Sukuna Hikona Shrine before soaking in the hot spring, you will be blessed with a child. The reason for this is believed to be the mineral-rich spring water, which is gentle on the skin and warms the body slowly. Although the inn is located in the mountains, the Uozu fishing port is a mere 15-minute drive away, so visitors can enjoy seasonal seafood such as firefly squid in the spring and snow crab in the fall and winter.
 

Jinzu Gorge, with gorgeous scenery throughout the seasons, is a scenic spot along the Jinzu River, which flows from Gifu Prefecture into Toyama Bay. Kasuga Hot Spring is located on the banks of the Jinzu River and offers a perfect location to fully enjoy the scenery. There are two accommodation facilities and a recreation center, each with different charms. The spring water has the qualities of both sodium bicarbonate and chloride springs, and you will be wrapped in comfort as you soak in the gentle water. The view of cherry blossoms in spring, autumn leaves in fall, and snow in winter will gently soothe your eyes and mind.
 

Omaki Spa Kanko Ryokan, which sits along the banks of the Shogawa River, is not accessible by car as it’s not paved with a road. The only way to access the inn is by the sightseeing boat that runs along the Shogawa Gorge. The stately Japanese-style hot spring inn is situated amidst nature as far as the eye can see, offering the luxury of utmost privacy and quiet. Most of the guest rooms face the Shogawa River, and the spring water drawn from the property is mildly alkaline and gentle on the skin. There is also an open-air bath along the river, where you can enjoy not only the natural hot spring water but also the negative ions from the surrounding mountains. When the weather’s clear, you can even bathe under a sky full of stars.