Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is a relaxed Japan onsen town, set beside the Chikuma River with mountain views in every direction
Japan Onsen Town Nagano
Welcome to the retro Nagano Onsen Town – Togura Kamiyamada Onsen
Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is a retro hot spring town in Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture, set beside the Chikuma River with mountain views in every direction. It’s just a short transfer from Ueda or Nagano Stations, and around 90 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train. This Japan onsen town offers a classic Nagano onsen town experience without the crowds.
Japan Onsen Town
A guide for first time visitors to Togura Kamiyamada Onsen
Nestled in the heart of Nagano Prefecture, the charming Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is a traditional Japanese hot spring town located in Chikuma City, a peaceful countryside city of around 63,500 people just south of Nagano City. Surrounded by mountains, rice terraces, and the flowing waters of the Chikuma River, Japan’s longest river, this picturesque destination offers an authentic glimpse into rural Japan.
Folklore
Flowing through the center of Chikuma City, the Chikuma River adds to the region’s natural beauty. Meanwhile, towering above the valley is 1,252-meter-high Mt. Kamuriki, a mountain steeped in Japanese folklore and history. In particular, it is associated with the legendary Obasute story, a tale in which elderly people were said to have been taken to the mountains and abandoned. The name itself combines “Oba,” meaning elderly woman, and “Sute,” meaning to abandon.
Scenery
Furthermore, the slopes of Mt. Kamuriki are home to the spectacular Tagoto-no-Tsuki terraced rice paddies. These traditional rice fields create a breathtaking landscape throughout the year. Most famously, when the moon rises over the valley, its reflection appears in the individual rice paddies. Consequently, the scene has inspired poetry, art, and stories for generations.
To the east of the Chikuma River valley lies Mori “Anzu-no-Sato,” or Apricot Homeland, another of Chikuma’s scenic highlights. In spring, the area is transformed by beautiful blooming apricot trees, adding another layer of seasonal beauty to the surrounding countryside.
Hot Springs
At the center of it all, between Mt. Kamuriki and the Chikuma River, lies the traditional hot spring town of Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. Here, visitors can experience the timeless appeal of a Japanese onsen town while staying at a traditional ryokan inn. After exploring the surrounding mountains, valleys, and countryside, there is no better way to relax than by soaking in the town’s soothing mineral-rich hot spring waters.
Thanks to its location, Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is an ideal base for discovering some of the best attractions and experiences Nagano has to offer. From scenic mountain landscapes and historic rice terraces to traditional Japanese hospitality and relaxing hot springs, the area brings together many of the experiences that make rural Japan so captivating.
Come visit this Nagano Onsen Town
So, why not step away from the usual tourist trail and discover Togura Kamiyamada Onsen? Come, slow down, soak in the healing waters, explore the stories of the mountains and valleys, and make a new page in the story of your trip to Japan.
Enjoy a Japan Onsen Town
Experience the Hot Springs and Nightlife of Togura Kamiyamada Onsen
The traditional Japan onsen town of Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is the perfect place to experience authentic Japanese hot spring culture. With seven public baths and several free ashi no yu (footbaths), visitors have plenty of opportunities to relax and soak in the town’s famous mineral-rich hot spring waters.
Importantly, these public baths are supplied by the same natural hot spring sources that provide water to the local ryokan inns and hotels. Most of the public baths remain open late into the evening, making it easy for visitors to enjoy a relaxing soak after exploring the town. Admission is also affordable, with prices generally ranging from 250 to 650 yen per visit.
Stroll Through the Onsen Town in a Yukata
One of the most enjoyable ways to experience Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is simply to wander through its streets in a traditional yukata and geta. Most of the town’s ryokan provide these lightweight summer kimono and traditional wooden clogs for their guests. As a result, visitors can embrace the timeless atmosphere of a Japanese hot spring town while strolling from one bath, restaurant, or bar to another.
As evening arrives, the character of Togura Kamiyamada Onsen changes. Although the town’s once-thriving nightlife declined following the bursting of Japan’s economic bubble, some of its traditional entertainment districts have survived. In particular, the old-fashioned bar district, which historically catered largely to male visitors, continues to offer a fascinating glimpse into the town’s past.
Discover Togura Kamiyamada Onsen After Dark
After sunset, neon lights gently illuminate the streets around the town centre, creating an atmospheric setting for an evening stroll. Meanwhile, snack bars, izakaya Japanese-style pubs, and karaoke lounges open their doors, giving visitors the opportunity to experience a more traditional side of Japanese nightlife.
For something a little different, Togura Kamiyamada Onsen also has several shateki shooting galleries. At these nostalgic entertainment venues, visitors can test their aim by shooting at targets with cork guns. It is a fun and distinctly Japanese experience that is easy to combine with an evening walk around the onsen town.
Enjoy an Authentic Japan Onsen Town Experience
Ultimately, experiencing Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is about more than simply taking a hot spring bath. Put on your yukata and geta, step outside your ryokan, and explore the streets at your own pace. Soak in a public bath, enjoy local food and drinks, try your hand at a shateki shooting gallery, or simply take in the atmosphere of this historic Japanese onsen town.
For more information about local restaurants, attractions, and walking routes, check out the Japan Onsen Town Gourmet and Walking Guide.
How to Get to Togura Kamiyamada Onsen
The easiest way to reach Togura Kamiyamada Onsen from Tokyo is by train. Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Ueda Station, which takes about 90 minutes. From Ueda, change to the Shinano Railway and ride a short distance to Togura Station, around 10 to 15 minutes. From Togura Station, the onsen area is a brief taxi ride away, and many ryokan will arrange a pickup if you let them know your arrival time in advance.
If you’re coming from Nagano city, you can take the Shinkansen to Ueda and follow the same route, or travel on the JR Shinonoi Line to Shinonoi and transfer to the Shinano Railway towards Ueda. Travellers arriving from Matsumoto can also connect via Shinonoi.
Driving is a good option if you plan to explore the wider Chikuma and Ueda area. The town is reached via the Joshin-etsu Expressway and takes roughly three hours from Tokyo, depending on traffic. Most accommodations offer parking, but check when booking.
Japan Onsen Town Car Rental
If you are wanting to self drive and explore the area, car hire is available in both Ueda and Nagano for viewing other sites in the region. Go here to get the best deals on Nagano car rentals.
Geisha performances
Togura Kamiyamada was once one of Nagano’s great geisha towns, and a small group of performers still carries the tradition on. Book through your ryokan for an evening banquet featuring traditional dance, shamisen music and lively drinking games. It’s far more interactive than a Kyoto show, with guests joining in the games and learning dances alongside the geisha. Performances are limited, so arrange them well in advance when booking your stay. Kamesei Ryokan, run by an English-speaking owner, is a good place to start. You can also catch the geisha-themed dance and drag show at Taishokan Theatre in the heart of the onsen town. Togura Kamiyamada was once one of Nagano’s great geisha towns, and a small group of performers still carries the tradition on.
Book through your ryokan for an evening banquet featuring traditional dance, shamisen music and lively drinking games. It’s far more interactive than a Kyoto show, with guests joining in the games and learning dances alongside the geisha. Performances are limited, so arrange them well in advance when booking your stay. Kamesei Ryokan, run by an English-speaking owner, is a good place to start. You can also catch the geisha-themed dance and drag show at Taishokan Theatre in the heart of the onsen town.
Togura Kamiyamada Accommodation
Accommodation in Togura Kamiyamada ranges from traditional ryokan to larger onsen hotels, and every property offers its own hot spring baths. Expect tatami rooms, multi-course kaiseki dinners featuring local Shinshu ingredients, and a relaxed, retro onsen-town atmosphere. Prices are modest by Japanese hot spring standards, often around ¥10,000 per night, making it an affordable way to enjoy an authentic overnight stay. Many inns can arrange station pickups, parking and evening geisha entertainment, so it’s worth requesting these when you book.
If you prefer more choice and possibly lower prices, Ueda and Nagano make convenient bases for day trips to Togura Kamiyamada Japan onsen town.
Private Transfers Nagano
Go here to book private Nagano transfers from Tokyo, airports and inter-resort.
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Japan Onsen Town: Video
Descriptor: Traditional Japan Onsen Town in Nagano. This Nagano Onsen town is a classic Hot Springs Town. Discover a Geisha Show, Apricot blossoms and Festivals in Togura Kamiymada Onsen. Also find maps, directions and hotels.
