NAGANO TRIP 
Have you ever heard the Japanese word “Konyoku“? It is a traditional culture and a little bit of strange culture in Japan. Konyoku is mixed-gender bathing (hot spring)!
Today, we introduce two Konyoku place in Nagano. Both is located at Shirahone Onsen where has some Konyoku places in Matsumoto.
→What is Hot spring (Onsen) in Japan?
→10 Hot spring (Onsen) Etiquette in Japan
MIXED GENDER BATHING (KONYOKU) MEANING & HISTORY
Mixed-gender bathing (Konyoku, Onsen) is a kind of Onsen (hot spring). Usually, Onsen is separated between man and woman. On the other hand, Konyoku is not separated from gender. Before the Meiji era (before 1868), Japanese hot spring was usually Konyoku. However Japanese goverment studied Western Europe. As a result, Konyoku is stopped. Currently, we can not establish a new Konyoku. However, Konyoku facilities can continue the place that has remained since ancient times as a culture.
If you want to know Onsen in Nagano, Japan. Please read the below article.
→The Best 9 Hot Spring (Onsen, 温泉) in Nagano
MIXED GENDER BATHING (KONYOKU) NAGANO EXPERIENCE
Where is there Shirahone Onsen? Shirahone means a bleached white bone
Shirahone Onsen (白骨温泉) is located in halfway up to a hill of Norikura Mountain that is a sacred mountain in Matsumoto city.
The origin of the Shirahone is “Calcium component is coagulated in the bath and floor, which is looked a white bone“.
Efficacy of Shirahone Onsen
Shirahone Onsen is effective against gastrointestinal disorder, internal disease, neural stress.
If you want to know more information about Shirahone Onsen, please read the below article.
→SHIRAHONE ONSEN (HOT SPRINGS) NAGANO, JAPAN
SHIRAHONE ONSEN MAP- NEAR TOKYO MIXED ONSEN-
ACCESS FROM TOKYO TO SHIRAHONE ONSEN
The nearest station
Shin Shima Shima Station (Matsumoto Electric Railway)
There is a direct bus from Matsumoto Station to Shirahone Onsen. It is approximately 80 minutes, 1,950 yen, ALPICO GROUP. (2019 April 17th ~ November 15th)
Access from Haneda airport
1, Approximately 40 minutes, Haneda Airport No. 1 terminal to Shinjuku Station West Exit (1,230~2,000 yen/ Haneda-Airport Limousine Bus Airport Shuttle Bus towards Hyatt Regency Tokyo)
2, Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station (6,500 yen/ Chuo Line-Limited Express Limited Express Azusa towards Matsumoto)
3, Approximately 80 minutes, Matsumoto Station to Shirahone Onsen (1,950yen/ ALPICO BUS)
Access from Narita airport
1, Approximately 35 minutes, Narita Airport Terminal 2 Station to Nippori Station (2,470 yen/ Skyliner Toll Limited Express Skyliner)
2, Approximately 20 minutes, Nippori Station to Shinjuku Station (200 yen/ Yamanote Line Local towards For Ikebukuro / Shinjuku (Counter-Clockwise))
3, Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station (6,500 yen/ Chuo Line-Limited Express Limited Express Azusa towards Matsumoto)
4, Approximately 80 minutes, Matsumoto Station to Shirahone Onsen (1,950yen/ ALPICO BUS)
If you want to know sightseeing spots near Shirahone Onsen, please read the below articles.
→THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN ALPS JAPAN
→THINGS TO DO IN MATSUMOTO・KISO AREA, NAGANO, JAPAN
MIXED GENDER BATHING (KONYOKU) FOR BIGGINERS
Awa no yu (泡の湯) is that visitors can do a Day trip to the hot springs.
Awa no yu is introduced by some TV as a Konyoku that even women can experience.
| ADDRESS | 4181, Azumi, Matsumoto city. |
| OPEN HOUR | Main Building(Honkan/本館): 10:30~14:00 Day trip to the hot springs(Sotoyu/外湯) : 14:00~16:00 |
| ENTRANCE FEE | Main Building: 800 yen Sotoyu: 600 yen |
| REGULAR HOLIDAY | Honkan(Big bath and Konyoku): Thursday Sotoyu: Monday ~ Friday |
THERE IS THREE KONYOKU AT AWA NO YU
There are two onsens of a separate type at Awa no yu. One is a clear and lukewarm water bath. On the other hand, milky-water, 40 degrees. There is an open-air bath.
I recommend the clear and lukewarm water bath! Because we can take a bath for a long time.
NOT MIXED GENDER LOCKER ROOM
Japanese Mixed-gender bath often separates men and women. To compare foreign countries, there are not many mixed gender locker rooms in Japan.
LET’S DRINK HOT SPRING!
There is a drinking hot spring space! What taste…?
This onsen has a little bit sourness! It is effective diabetes, internal disease.
SAFE FOR WOMAN BECAUSE MILKY-WHITE ONSEN
Awa no yu has Konyoku that is separated space of the dressing room. A woman can go out an open-air Konyoku after soaking their shoulders in a position invisible man.
We enjoyed plenty of variety of hot spring and comfortable Konyoku.
KATSURA NO YU IS EMERALD GREEN ONSEN
Katura no yu (かつらの湯 丸永旅館) is next to Awa no yu.
| ADDRESS | Shirahone Onsen, Azumi, Matsumoto city |
| OPEN HOUR | 11:00~15:00 |
| ENTRANCE FEE | 500 yen |
| REGULAR HOLIDAY | We recommend contacting before you visit! |
Katsura no yu is not bigger than Awa no yu. But the visitor can enjoy drinking onsen and water flowing directly from the hot spring source.
Katsura no yu is Ryoka(Japanese hotel). But visitor can take a day trip to the hot spring. Inside onsen is separated gender. Open-air onsen is Konyoku!
MIXED GENDER BATHING (KONYOKU, ONSEN) ETIQUETTE
If you hate to be looked at your face and body, taking the Japanese big hat and wearing bath towel!
This picture is the inside onsen! It is also a milky color. Please careful an inside of onsen is deep.
The back window is an exit to go to the open-air onsen!
It is beautiful! Likely jewelry!
Katsura no yu has a different face to Awa no yu. We strongly recommend going to both!
HAKUBA OBINATA NO YU START PRIVATE OPENAIR BATH
Read untile this article, maybe you think”I would like to take a mixed gender bath! but I don’t want to take with other people”. I also sympathize. I recommend Obinata no Yu in Hakuba to you. You can take a private open-air bath for 20,000yen. The onsen is a mixed gender bath OK! Please enjoy with your family and friends!
Now winter season, Obinata no Yu is located near Happo-One Mountain. If you are interested in more Hakuba information, please read the below articles.
→The 10 Best Hakuba Onsen (Hot Springs) in Japan-A one day Onsen (Higaeri Onsen)-
→The 7 Best Hakuba Luxury&Boutiqu Accommodations/Hotels in Nagano, Japan
→Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field-HAKUBA S-CLASS 〜VIP lounge & Priority pass-
OBINATA NO YU MAP
LET’S TRY JAPANESE KONYOKU (MIXED-GENDER BATHING)！
Today, we introduced two Konyoku (mixed gender bathing) in Shirahone Onsen, Matsumoto city. It is not erotic content. It is a traditional Japanese culture! We recommend taking some different types of Onsen when you visit Nagano!
