Wellness in Tochigi, Japan: Hot springs, spas, zazen, yoga and vegan cuisine

(IACE Travel)

In today’s fast-paced world, taking time to unwind and reconnect with our body and mind is essential. Tochigi Prefecture in Japan, renowned for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, is an ideal destination for wellness seekers. From tranquil mountain hot springs to world-class resorts, Tochigi offers the perfect environment for relaxation and rejuvenation. This article introduces not only the healing hot spring areas of Kinugawa Onsen, Nasu Onsen, and Kitsuregawa Onsen, but also The Ritz-Carlton Nikko, where you can enjoy luxurious spa treatments, zazen meditation, and yoga retreats, as well as meguri coffee,which offers organic vegan treats.

1. Kinugawa Onsen: A Tranquil Hot Spring Resort Town

Located close to Tochigi’s own world heritage site of The Shrines and Temples of Nikko, Kinugawa Onsen is one of Tochigi’s premier hot spring resort towns. Known for its mineral-rich waters, the hot springs here have long been a retreat for travelers seeking relaxation and healing. The therapeutic properties of the waters are believed to soothe sore muscles, improve skin conditions, and promote overall body wellness.

The Kinugawa Grand Hotel Yumenotoki offers an ideal setting to experience the restorative power of Kinugawa’s famous hot springs. The hotel features a stunning Japanese garden, a spa inspired by flowers known as Blooming Spa Kaika, and a stretching room perfect for getting your body moving. Whether you prefer the main building, offering a setting that aligns with many travel styles, or the elegant, serene rooms in the annex, both provide stunning views of the nostalgic rural landscape. Dining options include a Kyoto-style kaiseki course dinner at the restaurant Yamashina, seasonal Japanese cuisine at the restaurant Wakana, and Japanese dishes presented in a Western style at the restaurant L’Amusant. The hotel features various large, open-air communal baths and saunas, as well as five uniquely themed private open-air baths that offer a more intimate, exclusive experience.

(Kinugawa Grand Hotel Yumenotoki )

2. Nasu Onsen: Reconnect with Nature

Nestled in the serene landscapes of northern Tochigi Prefecture, Nasu Onsen offers another fantastic location to experience some of the best hot springs outside of Tokyo. Surrounded by lush forests and tranquil mountain vistas, Nasu Onsen is perfect for those seeking both physical and mental rejuvenation. The therapeutic waters of Nasu’s hot springs are renowned for their healing properties, known to ease muscle pain, fatigue, and stress. You can enjoy soaking in the onsen while being enveloped by the peaceful sounds of the surrounding forest. The calming atmosphere of the region allows you to set your mind at ease, making it an ideal backdrop for those interested in hiking and nature walks.

For a truly luxurious experience, Nasu Bettei Kai provides an exclusive getaway with just 10 guest rooms, ensuring each guest receives exceptional service and an unparalleled atmosphere. Each room is equipped with its own private bath, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the healing waters while being surrounded by the beauty of the natural world. For dinner, Nasu Bettei Kai serves an exquisite multi-course kaiseki meal crafted with local seasonal ingredients, such as the renowned Nasu Kuroge Wagyu beef, offering a taste of the region’s finest flavors.

(Nasu Bettei Kai)

For those seeking more active experiences, the Nasu Slow Life E-Bike Tour offers a unique way to explore the scenic beauty of the area at a relaxed pace. This eco-friendly, guided E-biking tour operated by Ride Experience takes you through the lush landscapes of Nasu, offering a chance to enjoy the serenity of the surroundings and experience the local culture up close and personal. Whether cycling through tranquil forests or discovering charming local sites, this tour is an excellent way to deepen your connection with nature while taking in the fresh mountain air.

For more details, please visit Nasu Slow Life E-Bike Tour.

Whether you’re soaking in the hot springs, cycling through picturesque landscapes, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Nasu Onsen offers a rejuvenating escape where relaxation and mindfulness are always at the forefront of your experience.

rice field (©Rice Experience Inc.)

3. Kitsuregawa Onsen: Tochigi’s Hidden Gem

Located in the central part of Tochigi Prefecture, Kitsuregawa Onsen is a hidden gem among Tochigi’s hot spring towns, and is renowned for its waters with therapeutic benefits, as well as a peaceful atmosphere. Recognized as one of Japan’s “Three Great Hot Springs for Beautiful Skin,” the onsen’s light-brown, slightly salty, alkaline water is rich in sulfur, salt, and iron, which are all elements celebrated for their skin-enhancing benefits. These therapeutic waters are highly praised for improving skin texture, promoting a smooth and glowing complexion, and providing a deeply rejuvenating experience for bathers. Unlike many hot spring towns that tourists frequent, this area retains a quiet, laid-back charm, offering visitors a chance to peacefully soak in its therapeutic waters.

(Kitsuregawa Onsen)

4. The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko: Spas, Hot Springs, Zen and Yoga in a Luxury Paradise

For a truly luxurious experience, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko offers the ultimate wellness escape. Located along Lake Chuzenji, this luxury accommodation combines breathtaking natural beauty with world-class amenities. Guests are treated to panoramic views of Mount Nantai and the calm blue waters of Lake Chuzenji, making it an ideal place to relax amongst nature.

A highlight of your stay is the hotel’s signature Ritz-Carlton-branded hot spring, the first-ever of its kind. It sources its healing waters from the historic Nikko Yumoto Onsen, which has been drawing visitors for over 1,200 years. Known for its rich content of metasilicic acid, the sulfur hot spring is famous for rejuvenating one’s skin, relieving muscle tension, and offering deep relaxation. As guests immerse themselves in the hot spring’s milky-white waters, they are enveloped by the tranquil ambiance of the surrounding nature, with the quiet, soothing echoes of the forest enhancing their experience.

The spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko offers a range of treatments that blend traditional Japanese healing practices with locally sourced, natural ingredients. The Sake Revive & Renew ritual, which uses Tochigi-grown organic rice and fresh spring water, hydrates and brightens the skin, while the Restorative Rock Ritual, inspired by Nikko’s volcanic landscape, incorporates sacred spring water and basalt stones to ease tension and restore one’s balance. The ultimate holistic experience, the private onsen retreat, invites you to unwind in an exclusive outdoor bath, immersed in the tranquility of nature. Following this, a personalized essential oil massage enhances your sense of deep relaxation and rejuvenation. In addition to its spa and hot spring offerings, the hotel also features wellness activities such as morning Zazen meditation and restorative yoga to further help your mind reach a point of tranquility. Whether soaking in the therapeutic waters of the hot springs, practicing mindfulness through yoga, or indulging in a rejuvenating spa treatment, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko offers a holistic wellness journey that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit—all set against the spectacular backdrop of Nikko’s natural beauty.

(The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko)

zen (The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko)

5. Vegan Delights at meguri coffee

Offering more than just a cafe, meguri coffee is a place to indulge in home-roasted specialty coffee and vegan crepes. Specialty coffee, a term used for the highest grade of coffee, is carefully sourced from beans grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, ensuring both environmental sustainability and a rich, fresh flavor in every cup. Guests can enjoy a variety of different coffees depending on the season, offering a perfect complement to the cafe’s wholesome treats.

Alongside specialty coffee, the cafe also offers vegan crepes, thoughtfully made without any animal-derived ingredients such as eggs, dairy, or gelatin. Instead, they use only plant-based, natural ingredients, sweetened with homemade rice syrup, brown rice amazake, organic maple syrup, and fair-trade muscovado sugar—creating deliciously healthy alternatives to traditional sweets.

The building itself, originally a gallery used during the early Taisho period (1912-1926), adds a touch of historical charm to the atmosphere, creating a peaceful environment where guests can enjoy a delightful cafe experience.

At meguri coffee, every visit is a celebration of wholesome, plant-based food that not only supports personal health but also respects the environment. Whether sipping a perfectly brewed cup of coffee or enjoying a delicious vegan crepe, this vegan cafe offers an ideal complement to any wellness retreat, bringing balance and harmony to both your body and mind.

Tochigi – A Complete Wellness Destination

Tochigi Prefecture offers a complete wellness experience, combining healing hot springs, luxurious spas, rejuvenating yoga, and nourishing cuisine. From the serene waters of Kinugawa, Nasu, and Kitsuregawa Onsen to the luxury of The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, Tochigi is the perfect place for rejuvenation. With the added touch of an organic, vegan cafe experience at meguri coffee, it’s an ideal destination for a wellness retreat.

For wellness trips to the hot springs of Tochigi Prefecture, a special feature page is available on the official Tochigi tourism website, “Visit Tochigi.”

https://www.visit-tochigi.com/special-features/pages/hotspring/

Please contact the U.S. Representative of Tochigi Prefecture for more information on making Tochigi your next travel destination.