8 recommended hotels and ryokan where you can enjoy spectacular views at Minakami onsen / Gunma

Minakami onsen, one of Gunma 's representative onsen locations, is located in Minakami Town, which is located in the northernmost part of the prefecture and is also the headwaters of the Tone River. In addition, it is nice to be able to enjoy a full stomach of gourmet foods unique to Gunma, such as Joshu beef and Joshu chicken.

During your trip, you can feel even more refreshed if you can spend your time surrounded by magnificent nature at your accommodation. If you stay at a hotel or ryokan where you can see the beautiful views of Mt. Tanigawa and onsen from your room or open-air bath, you'll feel like you're embraced by nature. In this article, we will introduce hotels and ryokans in Minakami ryokan where you can enjoy the spectacular views of the hot onsen, onsen flowing freely from the source, and local delicacies such as trout and Joshu beef raised in the clear streams!

This ryokan can be reached in about 10 minutes by shuttle bus (reservation required) from Minakami Station. It is located in the quiet mountains along the babbling Tanigawa River, and you can enjoy spectacular views not only from the guest rooms and onsen, but also from the gazebo and private dome. Its beautiful appearance combines modern architecture with traditional techniques, and you can view the majestic Mount Tanigawa from the open garden accessible from the lobby.

All guest rooms are equipped with an open-air bath with natural hot spring water, and you can enjoy the view of Mt. Tanigawa from both the room and the open-air bath. We recommend the "Special Room SP with Open-Air Bath." The spacious, elaborately designed room is a relaxing and soothing Japanese space. From the window you can see the gentle nature of Mizukami. Surrounded by the greenery and breeze, your stress and worries will fly away somewhere. For those who prefer beds, there are Japanese-Western and Western-style rooms available.

Enjoying the natural hot spring onsen and the magnificent view at the same time in the open-air bath in your room is a blissful experience. The open-air bath in your room is great because you can easily take a bath even in the short time before dinner or breakfast. If you want to change your mood a little, you can stroll through the stylish hotel and garden before heading to the large public bath. Relax in the open-air bath where you can soothe your soul with the clear waters of the valley and greenery, or in the indoor bath where you can soothe your soul with the scent of cypress.

source:Contribution of craftsman & food person

After you have enjoyed the spectacular view to your heart's content, it's time to fill your stomach.......dinner will be a taste of "Japanese Gastronomy" with creative Japanese dishes prepared using mainly local ingredients from Gunma. Please enjoy the fresh seasonal delicacies such as high quality Japanese black beef from Jyoshu and fresh grilled rockfish from the clear streams, which will delight your palate. meal It is also nice to be able to view nature in each of the four seasons from the private rooms, each with a different atmosphere.

It takes about 10 minutes by shuttle (reservation required) from Minakami Station. This Japanese-style ryokan stands on the banks of the clear waters of Tanigawa River, and the attraction is that you can see the magnificent view of Mt. Tanigawa from the lounge, guest rooms, and the open-air bath with a spectacular view. You can enjoy a sense of freedom and relaxation while watching nature show different expressions depending on the season and time of day.

A variety of rooms are available, including standard Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms with half-open-air baths, and Japanese-style rooms. We recommend the rooms with half-open-air baths that flow directly from the source, from which you can enjoy the beautiful view of Mt. Tanigawa while soaking in the tub. This is one of these rooms, the Luxury Suite (Suzuran). The living room and bedroom (twin) are equipped with half-open-air baths, allowing you to spend an elegant time here.

You can see Mt. Tanigawa from the semi-open-air bath in the guest room. While relaxing your body in the natural onsen that flows directly from the source, you will also feel as if your mind is being gently enveloped in the beautiful natural surroundings. If you want to enjoy nature from a slightly different perspective, why not try the large public bath in the hotel? The women's large public bath has a cypress bath, a rock bath, and an open-air bath where you can experience nature with all five senses, and at night you can also gaze at the twinkling stars.

From this classical and lovely Observation Lounge, you can enjoy different views depending on the season. In the morning, you can enjoy coffee while listening to classical music in a picturesque view. Immerse yourself in an elegant atmosphere and a feeling of contentment. For dinner, enjoy creative kaiseki cuisine that is also stylish in appearance. You can enjoy your meal in a private dining room inside the building, so you can enjoy your meal without worrying about others.

From Minakami Station, it takes about 30 minutes by free shuttle bus (reservation required). This resort hotel, which stands like a hideaway in the middle of 6.6 hectares of nature, offers a spectacular view from an altitude of about 3,200 feet. On the premises, there are ski resorts, golf courses, and various other facilities where you can enjoy activities, so it is also recommended for active people who want to be active even when traveling.

This hotel offers spectacular views from all of its guest rooms. In addition to the basic "Standard Twin," there are also rooms perfect for families and luxurious rooms. The appeal is being able to choose a room that suits your travel style. For those who want to enjoy the spectacular view as their main focus, we highly recommend the "Corner Triple." You'll surely be overwhelmed by the dynamic natural scenery!

Located just a few minutes' walk from the hotel, the separate open-air bath "Riraku" allows you to soak in onsen while taking in the fresh air above the water and overlooking the natural scenery of the four seasons. The "View Bath" offers a panoramic view of the majestic Echigo mountains, while the "Shirakaba Bath" allows you to enjoy forest bathing surrounded by white birch trees. Both baths are alternated daily for men and women. Of course, you can also see the mountain ranges and plateaus that stretch out before you from the large bath in the hotel building, so be sure to enjoy both.

A wide variety of dinner options are available, so you can choose according to your tastes. There is a buffet with 60 Japanese, Western and Chinese dishes that use plenty of local ingredients, stylish original Italian cuisine that is unique to Minakami Kogen, a Japanese set meal of shabu-shabu made with Gunma brand beef, Joshu beef, and a Japanese set meal of Hakata Mizutaki made with Joshu local chicken. The breakfast buffet can be enjoyed in a venue where you can look out over the refreshing scenery of the green forest and birch trees.

This ryokan is surrounded by lush nature and is located about 2 minutes away by free shuttle (reservation required) from Minakami Station. The breathtaking views of Mt. Tanigawa, beautiful in all four seasons, and the murmuring of the Tone River will have you feeling like your soul is being cleansed. The view from the lobby is also wonderful, and from the moment you arrive you feel as if you are being gently embraced by the majestic nature. It is perfect for those who want to get away from their hectic daily lives and simply enjoy nature and quiet time.

There are various types of rooms available, each with its own unique atmosphere, including VIP rooms, rooms with open-air baths, Japanese-Western style rooms, and rooms with an adjoining room. Relax and refresh your mind while enjoying the magnificent scenery and the open-air baths.

One of the attractions of this ryokan is the wide variety of onsen available. The precious building, built in 1927, has been left as it is, and the open-air bath of "Bokusui no Yu" is made of Japanese cypress, a local product of the Okutone region, for the ceiling and pillars.
You can enjoy 15 different baths, including the "Suisho no Yu" (Crystal Bath), which has 8 baths, and the "Okutone Hachito" (Okutone Eight Baths), where you can enjoy a tour of 8 different baths! From each bath, you can feel the murmuring of the mountain stream and the colors of the seasons, so you can relax both body and mind.

The kaiseki cuisine, made with plenty of ingredients from Joshu, carefully selected by the head chef, is also excellent. Attractive kaiseki plans are available, such as the "Basic Kaiseki Course of Joshu Barley Pork and Joshu Jidori/Akagi Chicken." Enjoy the flavors unique to Gunma, such as sashimi of the local brand trout, Okutone Red Trout, the "Joshu Barley Pork Chirichiri Nabe" with a striking visual resemblance to Mt. Tanigawa, and overnight dried Tone River sweetfish.

It's about a 3-minute shuttle bus ride from Minakami Station. This ryokan is built at the source of the Tone River, overlooking Mt. Tanigawa, and not only can you enjoy the spectacular view of the great outdoors in the distance, but you can also enjoy the natural beauty of the Japanese garden, which boasts an area of 33,000 square meters, right in front of you. The view from the lobby is also refreshing and pleasant. In addition, onsen has four sources, so you can enjoy the rich blessings of the water to your heart's content.

Choose from a variety of rooms depending on your purpose, including Japanese-style rooms and rooms with open-air baths. This is the top-class "VIP room with semi-open-air bath." From this spacious 12.5 tatami Japanese-style room with a twin bedroom, semi-open-air bath, and clear mist (low-temperature sauna), you can see the beautiful nature of the four seasons. Reset your tired mind while listening to the quiet sounds of the earth.

The view from the bath in this "VIP room with semi-open-air bath" will take your breath away. Although it is not onsen, enjoying the magnificent view in a silky bathtub is a blissful experience. The hotel also has a large public bath and an open-air bath where you can enjoy the finest onsen that has been aged over the years, so you can enjoy onsen to your heart's content.

For dinner, you can enjoy original kaiseki meals using fresh ingredients from the Mizukami region of Gunma, as well as a buffet, which the president himself carefully selects the production areas and producers. The kaiseki course includes Kamishu beef, fresh vegetables from the company's own farm, and fresh seafood directly from the fishing port. At the buffet, enjoy natural tuna sushi, beef steaks cooked in the live kitchen, and more. You can also enjoy the view of the rich nature from the buffet restaurant "Sen-i-no-sho" meal.

This resort hotel is located about 2 minutes away by free shuttle bus (reservation required) from Minakami Station. The hotel is attractive for its environment where you can fully experience the nature of the Okutone River and Mt. Tanigawa. You can also enjoy the spectacular view of Minakami while strolling through the rooftop garden, "Water Terrace." There is also a karaoke room, onsen table tennis corner, and a games corner, making it an ideal hotel for family and group trips.

There are various types of guest rooms available, including Japanese-style rooms and Japanese-style twin rooms overlooking the clear waters of the Tone River. We recommend the Mizunone Twin room, where you can enjoy the spectacular view from the terrace to your heart's content. You can breathe in the fresh air and gaze upon the pure waters of the Tone River, which will cleanse your soul. The sense of exhilaration and freedom of being surrounded by nature on the water will truly refresh you.

One of the pleasures of travel is of course onsen. This hotel has three large baths: "Tengu no Yu" where you can enjoy a cypress bath and a bubble bath, "Seseragi no Yu" where you can enjoy a Bonasam sauna and an open-air bath with just the right humidity, and "Suikei no Yu" where you can soak in a jacuzzi bath or a warm bath. Free massage chairs and post-bath drinks are also available.

After enjoying the spectacular views and soothing onsen, you can enjoy a variety of delicious food to further enhance your travel mood. For dinner, you can enjoy a buffet where you can fill your stomach with freshly cooked gourmet food. This dinner buffet is a feast for the eyes as well, with exquisite roast beef cooked at low temperature in a vacuum, original pizzas that change with seasonal ingredients, and authentic Chinese cuisine cooked over a magical flame.

It's about 10 minutes away from Minakami Station by free shuttle. This is ryokan where you can enjoy the nostalgic Japanese scenery of the mountains that change with the seasons and the clear stream of the mountain stream that flows through the garden. Not only can you enjoy the beautiful scenery, but you'll also be soothed by the warm hospitality. If you're looking to be soothed or spend your time in a serene state of mind, this is the inn for you.

There are six room types to choose from: Japanese-style rooms, rooms with Shigaraki-yaki or cypress open-air baths, rooms with flooring, spacious rooms with connecting rooms, and rooms with beds. Choose the room that best suits your travel needs. This is a room with a flooring and living room, where you can enjoy nature up close through a large single window. It's a space where you can sit back in a comfortable chair and relax while gazing at the trees.

In this ryokan 's popular "Guest rooms with Shigaraki ware or cypress open-air baths," you can have the rich nature that changes with the seasons and time all to yourself. You can hear the natural background music of the stream and birds chirping. It is a luxury to be able to enjoy onsen that flows directly from the source in such a wonderful environment. You can also enjoy the nature of the four seasons in the large public bath in the building, and take a bath in a cypress bath or a bath made of Sanbashiki stone from Gunma.

In the evening, enjoy a meal of banquet cuisine using local ingredients, which changes monthly, and delicious alcoholic beverages. Depending on the season, you can enjoy dishes such as domestic beef fillet steak, salt-grilled trout, and whole apple gratin. A wide variety of alcoholic beverages are available, including fine sake from Gunma and Niigata, wine, and champagne, so it's a great place for those who like alcohol.

This inn allows you to enjoy the dynamic, seasonal views of Mt. Tanigawa, so beautiful that you can almost reach out and touch them. It is located about 10 minutes by shuttle bus (reservations required) from Minakami Station. The inn is also associated with the literary master Dazai Osamu, who stayed and wrote at the inn's predecessor, and inside you can view a "Dazai Osamu Mini Gallery." After refreshing yourself with the spectacular views and onsen, it's a good idea to immerse yourself in the world of literature.

All guest rooms are decorated in a calming Japanese style. Choose from a range of rooms, including modern Japanese-style rooms, standard Japanese-style rooms, and rooms with open-air baths. Gaze out the window at the different seasonal views, such as fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and a silver world of snow, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The large public bath in the building features an open-air bath made of cypress wood with a high ceiling, and an open-air bath made of rocks. Warm up your body in the clean waters of Tanigawa onsen, which has abundant spring water, and relieve the fatigue of your travels. We also recommend this private open-air bath (fee required/reservation required), where you can enjoy bath time with a spectacular view! During the day, you can see the majestic Mt. Tanigawa and the mountains opposite, and at night, you can't help but sigh at the beautiful stars overhead.

Dinner, where you can enjoy the local flavors that can only be found in a region with heavy snowfall, is one of the pleasures of traveling. The seasonal kaiseki cuisine here includes sukiyaki made with Joshu beef and ingredients from Gunma, deep-fried trout raised in clear streams, and sashimi of Gunma brand rainbow trout "Ginhikari." The menu, which was prepared by a combination of a Japanese head chef and a Western chef, also includes creative dishes with a Western taste. The opportunity to enjoy slightly innovative kaiseki cuisine is also appealing.

There are times when being in the middle of nature can put your mind at ease. Minakami onsen is easily accessible from the city center, so you can easily go on a trip there whenever you feel like it. The quiet mountains and the soothing sounds of the babbling river are sure to soothe your soul. Why not go and enjoy the spectacular views of Minakami onsen for yourself?