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Things to do in Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu - Nearby Tokyo Interview
Talking about 'things to do' in Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu
We are back this month with our popular interviews series, featuring towns and cities near Tokyo, and this month we are talking about Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu in Nikko City Tochigi Prefecture! It is a nature-rich area located about a little over two hours from Tokyo, and perfect for anyone seeking the outdoors and hidden cultural treasures of rural Japan.
As always, I’ve been in touch with the people who know best, and this month I got to talk with Akihiro Tezuka, who works in the Tourism Department at Nikko City Hall. He shared some very useful tips on what to see and do in Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu.
Curious to find out more? Here is my interview below, and I am confident that after reading it, you will definitely want to add Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu to your list of places to visit.
Which is the best season to come to the Yunishigawa area?
I particularly recommend autumn, when you can see the lovely foliage.
The well-known places in Nikko (日光) include Irohazaka Road (いろは坂) or Oku-Nikko (奥日光), but if you would prefer to avoid the crowds of people thronging to those places, you can go to the more-hidden areas such as Yunishigawa (湯西川), Kawamata (川俣), and Oku-Kinu (奥鬼怒). You’ll definitely enjoy a little more privacy in these three places while gazing upon the beautiful autumn leaves.
Winter is also a fun period, when the snowfall gives way to a mesmerizing view of the landscape. It is during this time of year that the Yunshigawa Igloo Festival (湯西川温泉かまくら祭り/Yunishigawa ‘Kamakura’ Festival) is held in Yunishigawa Onsen. The word “Kamakura” (かまくら) means an igloo. During the festival, around 800 miniature versions of these igloos that stand fifty centimeters tall are lined up along the river with candles placed on the inside. It’s a really wonderful sight!
Yunishigawa Igloo Festival
What are the top 3 attractions you cannot miss in Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu?
Let me break down my recommendations by area!
Yunishigawa Onsen Area
Heike No Sato (平家の里) is a really great place to check out. It’s here that you can see houses with traditional “kayabuki-yane” roofs which is a traditional Japanese thatched roof used long ago. Exploring the grounds of this area will give you a good sense of how life must’ve been like for folks who lived in the area before modern times.
Kawamata Onsen Area
Setoaiko Canyon (瀬戸合峡) is the first place that comes to mind when visiting this area. The view from the Watarasshai Suspension Bridge (渡らっしゃい吊橋) in front of Kawamata Dam (川俣ダム) is sublime, especially during the autumn! I really can’t overemphasize how the scenery right in front of your eyes is incredibly breathtaking. The only thing to be wary of though is that the bridge is closed during the winter from early November to late April. As long as you come visit outside that window, you’ll have an unforgettable time here.
Oku-Kinu Onsenkyo Area
This is located within Nikko National Park, which is an environmentally protected area. Because of its status as a significantly important natural area, you can only enter here by either foot or via transportation provided by accommodation facilities. With little disturbances from cars or other people, you’ll experience the unadulterated beauty of the surrounding natural area in peace and quiet.
But not only that, you also have four onsens nearby that you can leisure at: Kaniyu (加仁湯), Teshirosawa Onsen (手白澤温泉), Nikkozawa Onsen (日光澤温泉), and Hachho no yu (八丁の湯).
Each of these onsens have their own unique hot spring water, adding a sense of excitement to your visits to these onsens.
Lastly, there is the Kinunuma Marsh (鬼怒沼), a nature-rich spot that’s perfect for those who wish to relax and unwind in a soothing environment.
Heike no Sato・Setoaikyo Canyon・Kinunuma Marsh
Are there any famous legends or myths in Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu?
Yunishigawa Onsen has a very interesting story called “The Legend of the Heike Clan Refugees” (平家落人伝説).
It is about the Heike Clan (平家), who were at one point one of the strongest clans in Japan during the 12th century. But after losing in a great battle, they were forced into hiding and lived secretly within the Yunishigawa Onsen area. As such, they took several steps to ensure they weren’t found out.
One of these steps involved not flying a “Koinobori” (鯉のぼり). Koinobori are colorful carp-shaped streamers that are traditionally flown outside homes in Japan. They symbolize strength and success, as the carp is believed to swim upstream and overcome obstacles.
Other steps they took were not owning animals that cried such as chickens or dogs and avoiding making fires that could be seen from afar.
Such practices were considered wise choices made by members of the Heike Clan that helped guarantee their survival.
Yunishigawa Onsen Town
Is there a festival with a special meaning associated with it?
Every year, in connection with the story that I mentioned earlier, Yunishigawa Onsen holds the Heike Taisai Festival (平家大祭) to celebrate the legend of the Heike Clan.
During the festival, they hold a very ornate procession called Heike-emaki gyouretsu (平家絵巻行列). Armor-clad samurai, carrying bow and arrows, and princesses wearing colorful dresses parade themselves around town.
In addition, you also have a chance to hear someone play a “Biwa”(琵琶), the Japanese lute, and listen to traditional court music known as “Gagaku”(雅楽). It’s an unforgettable experience to witness such a musical procession with deep roots in history!
The Heike Taisai Festival
Is there a special discount/pass for visitors?
There are several passes that I strongly recommend you buy!
2-Day Unlimited Bus Pass (Nikko Transportation, 日光交通)
Applicable Area: The bus between Kinugawa Onsen Station and Yunishigawa Bus Station
Price: (2,800 yen for adults, 1,400 yen for children up to a certain age, valid for multiple uses for two days)
Where to purchase: Jorudan Transfer Guide App. The Jorudan Transfer Guide App is a popular Japanese app that provides detailed information for trains and buses. The app is available in English and is widely used by both locals and visitors.
1-Day Unlimited Rail Pass (Yagan Railway, 野岩鉄道)
1-Day Yagan Railway Pass (Link)
Applicable Area: The train between Shin-Fujiawara Station and Aizu-Kogen-Oze-guchi Station.
Price: (2,100 yen for adults, 1,060 yen for children up to a certain age, valid for multiples uses in one day)
Where to purchase: Shin-Fujiwara Station or other stations along the Yagon Railway route.
Digital Yunishigawa Onsen 4-Day Free Pass (Nikko Railway, 日光鉄道)
Applicable Area: Valid for multiple uses between Shimoimaichi Station and Yunishigawa Onsen Station. Also includes a round-trip ticket (single-use only) from Tokyo Asakusa Station to Shimoimaichi Station, via the Tobu Railway System.
Price: (4,500 yen for adults, 2,260 for children up to a certain age, valid for multiple uses for four days)
Where to purchase: NIKKO MaaS.
Nikko MaaS (Link)
*Discounts at participating stores are available through the app.
*As of August 2024, this pass is still available. However, it is best to double-check the official website in case of any potential changes to the fares and/or conditions of the pass.
NIKKO MaaS
Final Thoughts
It was great talking with Tezuka-san to hear more about the Yunishigawa area and all it has to offer!
Finding out more about this pace, I was especially impressed by all the spectacular sites and events available all throughout the year. I am looking forward to my next visit to the area!
I hope this interview gives you a few ideas of things to do if you are in Tokyo or planning to come to Japan. I am quite sure if you visit, you are guaranteed to have a memorable time!
How to get to Yunishigawa and Oku-Kinu
TRAIN :
[Yunishigawa] 2 hrs 30 min by Train. (Tobu Line from Asakusa Sta.)[Oku-Kinu] 4hrs by Train and bus. (Tobu Line from Asakusa Sta. & Bus from Kawaji-Onsen Sta.)CAR:
[Yunishigawa] 3hrs 15min drive by car[Oku-Kinu] 4hrs drive by carFurther useful information
Read these articles to plan your trip!
'Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu'
(learn more about this area)
Yunishigawa and Oku-Kinu are deep in Nikko National Park, where the Hike clan escaped in the 12th century. It has interesting culture & excellent onsen hot springs.
