A Convenient Base for Exploring Usui Pass
Toge no Yu is located in a lush green setting at the foot of Usui Pass. The surrounding area is rich in attractions connected with the history of transportation through the mountains.
The former railway route of the Shin’etsu Main Line has been converted into the Apt no Michi Trail, while the historic Meganebashi bridge is one of the area’s most famous railway heritage sites.
Across from the facility is Toge no Yu Station, where the trolley train Sherpa-kun operates toward the Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park. This combination of hot springs, hiking, and railway sightseeing makes Toge no Yu a popular stop in the area.
A Building Inspired by Usui Pass Railway History
The facility opened in 2001. Its reinforced-concrete structure incorporates wooden elements to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The entrance features a brick-style design inspired by Meganebashi, allowing visitors to sense the history of Usui Pass even before entering the building.
A Gentle Alkaline Hot Spring
Toge no Yu uses water from Higashi-Karuizawa Onsen Yutaka no Yu. The spring is colorless and transparent, with a smooth, gentle feel on the skin.
It is classified as a weakly alkaline sodium-bicarbonate/chloride spring. The hot spring is traditionally associated with benefits for conditions such as joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and sensitivity to cold.
After soaking in the warm water, visitors can enjoy the relaxing sensation of being warmed from within.
Two Large Baths with Different Atmospheres
Japanese-Style Large Bath “Usui”
The Japanese-style bath, Usui, features stone bathtubs and walls incorporating abundant hinoki cypress, creating a calm and traditional atmosphere.
Facilities include an indoor bath, open-air bath, cold bath, high-temperature sauna, and airless jet bath.
The outdoor bath is larger than the indoor bath and offers views toward the natural landscape of Ura-Myogi, the rugged mountain area behind Mount Myogi. Soaking in the warm water while looking across the quiet mountains provides a particularly peaceful experience.
Western-Style Large Bath “Kirizumi”
The Western-style bath, Kirizumi, has a modern stone design and features a circular open-air bath and individual pot baths.
It also includes a high-temperature sauna and cold bath. From the bathing area, visitors can enjoy views toward the Kirizumi Mountains.
Unlike the Usui bath, the indoor bath at Kirizumi is larger than the outdoor bathing area, giving the two facilities distinctly different layouts and atmospheres.
The Baths Change for Men and Women Each Week
The Japanese-style and Western-style large baths are switched between men and women every week. As a result, visitors who return at different times may experience a different bath area and atmosphere.
Private Family Baths
For visitors who prefer a more private experience, Toge no Yu offers two reservable family baths: Haneishi and Ryukoma.
Haneishi has a tiled bathing room and a Western-style private lounge, while Ryukoma features a wooden bathing room and a traditional Japanese-style tatami lounge.
The private baths require advance reservations, although same-day use may be possible if there are vacancies. They are ideal for families or small groups who want to enjoy a relaxing hot spring bath without worrying about other guests.
Comfortable Facilities Inside the Building
Restaurants, Cafés, and Shops
The first floor includes a restaurant and shop. This area is a free-access zone, so visitors can use these facilities even without entering the bathing area.
In the west wing, the first-floor café Apt no Michi features a retro-modern interior inspired by the Abt rack railway that once operated through Usui Pass from the Meiji period into the early Showa period.
The café serves Western-style dishes such as pasta and curry, making it a convenient place to enjoy a meal or take a break during sightseeing.
Rest Areas and Free Wi-Fi
The second floor includes the shop Toge no Chaya and spacious relaxation areas known as Yasuragi no Ba and Kutsurogi no Ba.
Visitors can relax in traditional tatami-floored spaces after bathing or sightseeing. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the building except in the bathing areas, making the facility convenient for checking travel information and taking a break.
Toge no Yu Station and the Sherpa-kun Trolley Train
Just across from Toge no Yu is Toge no Yu Station, where the trolley train Sherpa-kun departs for the Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park.
The service uses part of the former Shin’etsu Main Line. Although the station is a small one with a single platform and single track, it is popular with railway enthusiasts and families.
Passengers enter through the gate according to the train departure schedule, and a waiting area is provided on the platform.
The trolley train travels through sections of the historic mountain railway, recalling the days when trains had to overcome the steep gradients of Usui Pass.
The opportunity to combine a hot spring visit with railway sightseeing is one of Toge no Yu’s most distinctive attractions.
A New Start after a Difficult Period
In 2013, Toge no Yu was forced to close for an extended period following a fire.
After restoration work, the facility reopened in December 2015. Since then, it has been redesigned to make it easier for a wider range of visitors to stop by, including free access to the first floor of the central building without paying an admission fee.
A Place to Relax amid Nature and History
Toge no Yu brings together hot springs, railway heritage, hiking, and mountain scenery in one convenient destination.
Visitors can walk along the historic Apt no Michi Trail, admire the famous Meganebashi bridge, explore the history of Usui Pass, and then relax in a gentle hot spring bath.
Whether you are hiking through the former railway route, exploring the historic Sakamoto-juku post town, or simply driving through the mountains, Toge no Yu provides a comfortable place to pause and enjoy the atmosphere of Usui Pass.
Take a relaxing bath, enjoy the surrounding forest and mountains, and discover the fascinating railway history of Usui Pass at Toge no Yu.