Translated to “white bone hot spring”, Shirahone Onsen is a quaint town located in the Northern Japan Alps. There are numerous onsens in the town, and stunning mountains all around to give visitors a unique experience when they visit.
Here, there are restaurants, ryokans, and beautiful scenery like waterfalls and stunning fall foliage you do not want to miss. This location is a well-loved gem by the locals, but is relatively unheard of to foreigners.
We are hoping to change that, because this is a location that you deserve to know about and experience if you ever get the chance.
So, read on to find out more about Shirahone Onsen, and what you can do if you choose to visit there! You won’t be disappointed.
What Makes Shirahone Onsen Special?
There are lots of things that make Shirahone Onsen special, and the location is one of them. This town is located in the Northern Japanese Alps, in Nagano.
It is remote and beautiful, but still easy to get to, with buses frequently going back and forth between nearby towns and cities.
Full address: 〒390-1515 長野県松本市安曇 Azumi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1515, Japan
Shirahone Onsen’s milky waters make it a unique location to stop by and take a soak. This comes in especially handy as the onsens in this town are primarily mixed-gender, so it’s great even if you may not be used to visiting baths.
The milky waters combined with the tranquility makes this a location that you absolutely need to check out.
When Is The Best Time To Visit?
If you would like to spend some time in Shirahone, the best time to visit is during fall. At this time, the fall leaves are spectacular, and surround the area like a fairy tale. Spring and summer are also beautiful times to visit, but of course you will miss out on the colors.
We would not recommend visiting this location during the winter – it essentially becomes a ghost town in this period. Most shops are closed, and the leaves are bare, leaving little to be enjoyed.
How To Get There
You can get to Shirahone Onsen by getting to Shin-shimashima Station (新島々駅) from Matsumoto Dentetsu in Matsumoto. From there, you will need to switch over to Alpico’s bus service and head to Sawando Bus Terminal (さわんどBT).
From that terminal, change over to Alpico’s Shirahone Onsen line, and enjoy the roughly 15-minute ride.
Be sure to check the timeline for the service, and be aware of the prices, which are as follows:
Return trip from Matsumoto – ¥4,520 (one way is ¥2,260)
Return trip from Shin-shimashima – ¥3,100 (one way is ¥1,550)
Children between the ages of 6–11 – roughly half of the adult fee (may vary)
Places To Stay
There are lots of great places to stay if you choose to visit this town. We will go through some of the best options in the section below, so you know what to expect if you choose to stop by.
This is possibly the best spot to stay if you are planning on spending the night here. It has the largest onsen pool, and is found away from the town center, so it is likely to be more peaceful.
Since this ryokan opened back in 1912, you can expect a beautiful traditional interior, and a relaxing experience. The onsen is mixed-gender, and is a welcoming place to enjoy a relaxing evening.
Anyone who has seen Spirited Away might recognize this onsen, since there are so many great similarities between the film and this hot spring.
If you prefer to have a private daytime onsen session to yourself, you can head down to Konashi no Yu Sasaya. Here, you can book a 30-minute private session and have some time to yourself while still being outdoors.
This onsen is a short walk from Awa no Yu Ryokan, so you can easily go between the two if you like. Just be sure to double-check the opening times, and follow the rules, as outlined on the website.
This ryokan is similar to Awa no Yu Ryokan, which is only next door. Here, there are mixed-gender baths to enjoy, too. However, it should be noted that these are quite small, so you may find it more uncomfortable to be there with strangers.
Ryokan Maruei is a more budget-friendly spot to visit if you still want to experience many other things. However, you can still expect incredible service and hospitality, so don’t let that put you off.
Other Spots To Check Out
You may also want to check out these spits if you have some time, or are looking for a slightly different experience:
If you want to have a moment of tranquility, visiting Ryūjin Falls would be a good idea. While there are not spectacular falls like Niagara, they are peaceful and beautiful nonetheless.
You can enjoy a moment of peace and bear witness to these elegant patterns that cascade down the hillside.
The waterfalls themselves are only around 65-feet tall, but when you take into account the greenery of the surroundings, everything ties in wonderfully. Not to mention, this spot is just a two minutes away from Shirahone Onsen Sanjūsan Kannon.
If you visit during the winter (specifically January and February), you may even get the chance to see the waterfalls become a wintery icefall.
Kannon Bodhisattva Statues
There are 33 beautiful Kannon Bodhisattva statues to check out just a short distance from the Shirahone Onsen bus stop. These statues were carved out during the Edo Period, which was between 1603–1867 – so they are pretty old!
You can find these opposite the public toilets, so you can’t miss them. It is believed that they came to be at the onsen as they were gifts from visitors as a way to show thanks for the medicinal properties of the hot springs there.
Just five minutes away from the previously mentioned waterfalls is a stunning valley that you will not want to miss. The Tsuitooshi Tunnel, and Kansuikei Valley fit together to form one of the most beautiful spots in the area, and one definitely worth visiting.
Caused by years of erosion, the mountain stream flows through a 65-foot-long tunnel. To get the best view, a bridge spans over the stream, so you can have some fantastic photo opportunities there.
Just be sure that you wear the correct footwear when visiting, as it can get muddy and slippery depending on the weather.
Final Thoughts
Shirahone Onsen is a beautiful location, found in the Northern Japan Alps. Here, you get to experience a tranquil environment, with few tourists since it is the area’s best-kept secret.
If you decide to visit, please make sure that you are considerate of those who live there, and the rules that are in place. There is plenty to see and enjoy, so take your time and take everything in – you may never get the chance again!
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
