A day-use onsen in Nagano for 650 yen,
no reservation needed

The day-use onsen at MATSUKAWAKAN costs 650 yen per person, and no reservation is needed. This journal covers only three things: the price, the hours and what you do and do not have to book.

Reception runs from 11:00 to 19:30, and the bath itself stays open until 20:00. Even if you decide on the day, you can walk in and bathe.

Below you will find the fee, the opening hours, and which baths need booking and which do not. Details of the baths themselves are covered on their own pages.

650 yen, no booking, open 11:00 to 20:00

A day-use bath is 650 yen per person, tax included. You can pay at the front desk when you arrive, with no booking. Prices are subject to change; please check before you visit.

Reception is open from 11:00 to 19:30, and bathing continues until 20:00. As long as you check in by 19:30, you can soak until 20:00.

For a fuller guide to the facilities, see Day-use onsen (650 yen, no reservation). Here we keep to the fee and the hours.

Baths you walk into, and baths you book

The one bath you can enter without booking is the day-use indoor bath. Come on the day, and you can soak straight away.

The day-use sauna, on the other hand, must be booked in advance. Booking early helps, so you can enjoy it without rushing.

The private open-air bath, called Gokumu-no-Yu, is for staying guests only. It is booked at check-in, one group at a time.

Which baths need booking is also set out in our Frequently asked questions. Check there if you are unsure.

Order lunch and the bath is free

Order lunch and the day-use bath is included at no extra charge. The 650 yen bathing fee is covered by your meal.

Lunch and the day-use bath both need no reservation. You can drop in and enjoy a meal and a bath together.

You can see the menu and prices on Day-use onsen with lunch. The semi-private space and rest room are open from 11:00 to 16:00.

Towels for rent, so travel light

Even without a towel, you can rent one at the front desk. A face towel is 150 yen and a bath towel is 200 yen.

Rental	Price
Face towel	150 yen
Bath towel	200 yen

Face towels are free for staying guests. You can travel light and still enjoy the bath.

Free-flowing spring water, and how to bathe

The indoor bath at MATSUKAWAKAN is filled entirely with free-flowing spring water. The water at Yamada Onsen runs on the hot side.

For when it feels too hot, a wooden paddle is on hand. It cools the water without diluting the minerals in it.

MATSUKAWAKAN suggests a simple cycle: warm up, rest in the open air, then go back in. Repeat it slowly, and even hot water becomes easy to enjoy.

The semi-private rest room, 11:00 to 16:00

Day-use bathers can use a semi-private rest room from 11:00 to 16:00. It is a place to rest after your bath.

Guests having lunch have priority for this room. Around the busy lunch hours, coming a little earlier or later makes it easier to use.

If you want a private room, see A day-use onsen with a private room as well. It explains how the rest room works in more detail.

40 minutes from Nagano Station, shuttle and parking

MATSUKAWAKAN is about 40 minutes by car from Nagano Station. A free shuttle bus runs between the station and the ryokan.

If you drive, you can use the free village car park at Yamada Onsen. From the car park, it is a short walk to MATSUKAWAKAN.

Nearby there are two public bathhouses within walking distance. They are Oyu and Takinoyu, both fed by the Yamada Onsen source.

For full directions, see the Access page. First-time visitors can find the way without trouble.

Frequently asked questions