Gaze upon the Japan Alps while bathing in the hot springs of Shoho

3 Recommended Hot Springs at Shoho

"Utsukushi no Yu" Hot Springs

Arguably the most impressive of these hot springs is the expansive “Utsukushi no Yu” (literally “Beauty Bath”), which was renewed in the spring of 2018. Make the most of your travel in Matsumoto by taking a soak in all 3 baths offered at 'Utsukushi no Yu'; a semi-outdoor bath, an indoor bath and a smaller silk bath.

The silk bath (the round bath in the photos) is called this way because of its water properties. The micro air bubbles in the water give it a slightly whitish appearance and the negative ions it emits cause your body to relax and turn your skin smooth and soft.

The panoramic view of Matsumoto and the Japan Alps that you get while soaking your body in the soothing water of the hot spring is simply breathtaking.

“Tsukama no Yu” Hot Springs

In addition to that, there is another bathing area called “Tsukama no Yu”. Outside, there is an open-air hot spring bath where you can watch the seasonal greenery that decorates the surroundings. Next to it is a jacuzzi, whose fine bubbles and ultrasonic waves will loosen up your body to the core and have a positive effect on one’s beauty and health.

If you go back inside the building, you will find the indoor baths. This indoor hot spring is the largest in Nagano and has 2 baths with different temperatures as well as a lower-temperature sauna. With 31 washing places available, there is plenty of room for everyone.

You can use “Tsukama no Yu” from 5:00 until 24:00.

After taking a bath, you can either return to your room or spend some time in the dedicated rest area. The rest area of “Tsukama no Yu” is equipped with massage beds that you can freely use if you want to feel even more relaxed. There is also a special powder room with a lot of amenities for women to use. Complimentary cold water and tea are provided in the rest areas of both “Tsukama no Yu” as well as “Utsukushi no Yu”.

Private Hot Spring Baths

Not a big fan of public baths but still want to experience Japanese onsen? No problem!

Shoho has 3 private hot springs, each with their own style. There’s one with a stone bath that has a modern look to it, another with a wooden bath and a more Japanese design, and the last one has both an indoor and an outdoor bath so you can enjoy both. The private hot springs are also equipped with a changing room, television and massage chair.

Usage of a private hot spring will be 3,000 JPY (excl. tax) for 45 minutes and they are available to reserve from 5:00 until 24:00. To make a reservation, please inquire with the front desk.

If you don’t want to submerge your entire body, there is also a public foot bath in the garden that you can access from the lobby (from 6:00 until 22:00), where you can relax and watch the sun set behind the mountains in the evening.

Getting to Hotel Shoho

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