Hello! When it comes to one of Japan’s largest winter festivals, many people may think of the famous Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido. However, in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture — a well-known sightseeing destination — there is actually a hidden gem so beautiful that it has been recognized as part of the “Japan Night View Heritage.”
One of our staff members from K’s House Nikko visited the 2026 festival to bring you a first-hand report. In this article, we’ll introduce the event along with nearby hot spring information and other helpful travel tips 💡
Yunishikawa Onsen is a hot spring town located in the northern part of Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. About one hour by bus from Kinugawa Onsen, deeper into the mountains, this area is known for the legend that defeated members of the Heike clan (Taira clan) fled here and lived in hiding after the Genpei War in the 1100s.
The Kamakura Festival, which began in 1993, celebrates its 33rd anniversary this year. Recognized as part of the Japan Night View Heritage and as one of the Three Great Night Illuminations of the Kanto Region, it has become a beloved winter tradition in Nikko for both locals and visitors alike.
The festival has two main venues. At Heike no Sato, a site recreating a settlement of the Heike clan refugees, visitors can enjoy the beautiful contrast between illuminated thatched-roof houses and kamakura snow huts in two different sizes.
About a 10-minute walk from Heike no Sato, the Sawaguchi Riverside Mini Kamakura Venue offers a breathtaking sight: hundreds of small kamakura snow huts lined up across the riverbank, creating a truly magical winter landscape.
・Admission: ¥510 (Adults) / ¥250 (Children)
・Illumination Hours: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Daily during the festival period)
・Admission: Free
・Illumination Hours: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only)
Source: Nikko City Official Tourism Website
I visited on a Thursday, so unfortunately I wasn’t able to see the riverside illumination, which is only held on weekends. However, the light-up at Heike no Sato alone was still incredibly impressive and atmospheric.
Taking this opportunity to closely observe traditional Japanese architecture again, I made some new personal discoveries — such as the fact that even the seating arrangement around the irori (traditional sunken hearth) had specific rules and meanings.
There is something truly special about a remote mountain village covered in fresh snow. The quiet scenery, far removed from the bustle of the city, has a timeless charm that makes you slow down and appreciate the beauty of winter in Japan.
When I visited during the daytime, I was also able to see local residents carefully crafting the mini kamakura snow huts. With hundreds of kamakura on display — and each one illuminated by candles — regular maintenance is clearly essential.
Seeing the locals working so diligently gave me a real sense of how much love and dedication the community has for this festival. It’s not just a tourist attraction, but a heartfelt winter tradition supported by the people who live here.
From the Kinugawa area of Nikko City — where K’s House Nikko is located — we recommend purchasing a 2-Day Free Pass available at Kinugawa Onsen Station to travel to the Yunishikawa Onsen area, where the Kamakura Festival is held.
This pass offers a convenient and cost-effective way to explore the area, especially if you’re planning to visit multiple spots over two days.
Photo: In front of the Tourist Center inside Kinugawa Onsen Station
The regular one-way fare alone costs 2,050 yen, so being able to enjoy unlimited bus rides within the designated area for two days at just 2,800 yen is an excellent deal.
With this single pass, you can also access several popular sightseeing spots along the way to Yunishikawa Onsen, including Ryuo Gorge, Kawaji Onsen, Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura, and Hanaichimonme, where you can enjoy strawberry picking — one of Tochigi Prefecture’s famous local specialties. Be sure to make the most of it according to your travel plans!
That said, Yunishikawa Onsen is located quite deep in the mountains of Nikko City, and bus services are limited. In particular, if you visit on a weekday, the last bus departing from Yunishikawa Onsen leaves at 5:50 PM (and at 7:20 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). If you miss the final bus, you won’t be able to get back, so please plan your schedule carefully.
Photo: Bus timetable for services from Kinugawa Onsen Station to Yunishikawa Onsen
In mid-February, sunset is just after 5:00 PM. If you take the last weekday bus, you’ll only have just enough time to briefly enjoy the illumination at Heike no Sato before heading back.
For that reason, we highly recommend visiting on a weekend (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday), when you can fully experience both festival venues after dark without worrying about time.
Along the way, we were also treated to a beautiful sight from the bus window — the surface of a dam completely frozen over in the winter cold. The scenery during the journey itself is part of the charm, so be sure to keep your camera ready!
In 2016, Yunishikawa Onsen proudly ranked No. 1 in Rakuten Travel’s “Best Hot Spring Destinations for Beautiful Skin” ranking. The hot spring water is mildly alkaline, with a pH of around 9.5. It is clear and gentle on the skin, and you can also enjoy a faint hint of sulfur in the air.
Although it is a well-known hot spring destination, many of the inns are located deep in the mountains and primarily cater to overnight guests. As a result, information about day-use hot spring availability is not widely advertised.
During my visit, however, I was able to find several facilities that offer day-use bathing. I hope the following information will be helpful if you’re planning your trip!
Official Website: https://yunishigawa-mizunosato.jp/onsen (Japanese only)This is the only day-use hot spring facility in the area that is prominently promoted.However, to my surprise, it happened to be closed on the day I visited… ＞＜
Since I wasn’t even able to enter the building, I couldn’t check the details myself. That said, it is said to feature a spacious, beautifully designed bath with natural, free-flowing hot spring water overlooking the river.The admission fee is currently quite reasonable at 700 yen for adults (350 yen for children) until March 2026. However, prices are expected to increase from April 2026 onward. If possible, it would be a great idea to visit before the price change — perhaps in combination with the Kamakura Festival!
● Yunishikawakan
Official Website: https://yunishikawakan.com/english/index.html
Located in the heart of the Yunishikawa Onsen town area, this long-established ryokan — currently run by its third-generation proprietress — is known for its natural, free-flowing hot spring water blended from two separate sources. Guests can enjoy the baths 24 hours a day.
The piping-hot, sulfur-scented water was perfect for warming up my body after being chilled by the snowy scenery outside. Soaking in the bath while surrounded by the nostalgic atmosphere of this historic inn made the experience even more special. I truly felt warmed from the core.
Another great feature is that their private bath can be used free of charge without a reservation. Availability depends on how busy it is when you arrive, but it’s quite rare to find a place where you can enjoy a private onsen during a day-use visit. It’s especially ideal for couples!
Day-Use Hours: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Admission Fee: 500 yen (Adults), 300 yen (Children)
Please note that hours and fees may change depending on operating conditions.
Official Website: https://www.yunishigawa.co.jp/en/
(Photo: The lobby overlooking the snow-covered Yunishigawa River)Founded in 1962, this traditional ryokan has more than 60 years of history. Although the hours for day-use bathing are limited, the variety of baths is one of its biggest attractions. Guests can enjoy a large public bath with a sauna, a hinoki (cypress) bath, a rock bath (available for women only during day-use hours), and several open-air baths offering different scenic views.The inn is perfectly positioned to overlook the Yunishigawa River, allowing visitors to relax while listening to the gentle sound of flowing water and admiring the beautiful snowy landscape. It was an incredibly satisfying and peaceful experience.Another unique feature is that this is the only place in Yunishigawa Onsen where you can actually taste (drink) the hot spring water — a rare and interesting initiative that adds to the charm of the visit.
Although the day-use fee is 2,800 yen — which may seem a bit expensive for a simple hot spring visit — it actually includes access to an all-you-can-drink lounge. In addition to beer and wine, around ten different types of alcoholic beverages are available. For those who would like to fully relax after enjoying the onsen and unwind with a drink, this makes it well worth the price.
The lounge is open until 5:30 PM for Day-use customers, so after warming up my body in the hot spring and enjoying some time to relax, I headed to the Kamakura Festival venue in the evening.
In the Yunishigawa Onsen area, there are very few cafés or places where you can comfortably spend time, and many operate on irregular schedules. Because of this, having a guaranteed spot where you can relax indoors was especially appreciated.
Day-Use Hot Spring Hours: 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Price: 2,800 yen (includes access to the all-you-can-drink alcohol lounge)
This pricing was accurate at the time of my visit in January 2026.
In addition to the facilities mentioned above, I also noticed signs indicating day-use hot spring availability at the following locations:
-
Kanai Ryokan
http://www.kanei-ryokan.com/index.html (Japanese only) -
Spa Hummingbird
https://spahummingbird.net/english/
While I did not personally use these facilities, they were displaying signs about day-use bathing during my visit. Availability may vary depending on the day and operating conditions, so it’s worth checking locally if you’re interested.
If you’re exploring Yunishigawa Onsen during the Kamakura Festival season, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for these smaller inns — you might be able to enjoy a relaxing hot spring experience even without an overnight stay.
● Yamashimaya (Dining & Souvenir Shop)
Located in the heart of the Yunishigawa Onsen town area, Yamashimaya is a relatively large establishment that combines a souvenir shop and a restaurant. One of its main attractions is the opportunity to enjoy mountain cuisine unique to this remote region — including locally caught river fish, venison sashimi, wild vegetable rice bowls, and even bear hot pot.
Despite the impressive lineup of regional specialties… the dish I ended up ordering was the lunch-only set of mori soba and oyakodon. (Yes, I know! 😂)
The soba was light and refreshing, while the oyakodon was rich and satisfying. However, my personal favorite turned out to be the simmered fish served on the side. The firm flesh was thoroughly infused with flavor and was absolutely delicious.
The menu ranges from adventurous local specialties to more familiar comfort foods such as ramen, curry rice, and various rice bowls. With such a wide variety of options, it seems like a great spot for families as well.
Tabelog page:https://tabelog.com/en/tochigi/A0903/A090301/9003146/
● Yakiniku Yamamichi
This restaurant is known for its signature venison steak, along with a variety of other options such as yakiniku set meals, ramen, and gyoza. One of the highlights is the rather rare venison cut steak set, which is reasonably priced at around 1,500 yen. If you’re visiting Yunishigawa Onsen, why not try it as a memorable local experience?
According to another staff member who visited, the venison steak had no gamey smell and was extremely delicious. Among the restaurants in this area, it also appears to stand out on Google reviews, making it one of the more popular dining spots.
Tabelog page:https://tabelog.com/en/tochigi/A0903/A090303/9004290/
● Furusato Honpo
A long-established Japanese confectionery shop known for creating Yunishigawa Onsen’s famous Heike Monaka. The shop follows a unique business style: it opens once the freshly made monaka are ready each morning and closes as soon as they are sold out. It is also said to be the only place where you can purchase the monaka individually on the day they are made 💡
Each small monaka (priced at 130 yen) highlights the simple, refined flavor of red bean paste, and I personally loved it. Some of the monaka are designed with the Heike clan’s family crest, while others feature a hidden crest inspired by the local legend of the Heike fugitives connected to Heike no Sato.
Another specialty, “Kuriyakata,” which contains a whole chestnut inside, is available by reservation only (at least one day in advance). If you’re interested, it’s best to contact the shop beforehand.
As of 2025, online sales have reportedly been suspended, making this a truly exclusive local treat that you can only purchase in person.
Tabelog page:https://tabelog.com/en/tochigi/A0903/A090301/9010737/
One of the most historic ryokan in Yunishigawa Onsen creates a spectacular ice waterfall every winter, and it has become one of the highlights of the season. Although this event is officially limited to guests staying at the ryokan, the magical frozen cascade can actually be glimpsed from the riverside nearby.
Since there are only a few places where you can see an ice waterfall during winter, we highly recommend stopping by if you visit Yunishigawa Onsen during the Kamakura Festival season. It’s a rare and beautiful sight that perfectly captures the charm of winter in this mountain village.
Reference: https://bankyu.net/
This concludes our day-trip review of Yunishigawa Onsen by the K’s House staff 💡
Located even deeper beyond Japan’s more famous tourist destinations, this hidden hot spring area offers a chance to experience traditional Japanese culture and scenery in a truly authentic setting.
If you ever have the chance, we hope you’ll consider visiting for yourself! And if you know any other great local spots that we didn’t introduce this time, please feel free to share them with us.
Stay tuned for our next article! ^^
