Takaragawa Onsen (宝川温泉)
Filming one of the iconic onsen of japan
We arrived at our second stop — Takaragawa Onsen (宝川温泉), deep in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture. What we found was far more than a hot spring. It was a living portal to Japan’s past.
We stayed at the historic Osenkaku (汪泉閣) ryokan beside the rushing Treasure River. From the moment we slipped into our yukatas and sandals, the modern world faded away. We wore them everywhere — through the wooden corridors, to the baths, and during meals.
kaiseki style Meals nourished by mountain harvest
The food was pure magic: an exquisite traditional kaiseki-style five-course meal, seasonal and beautifully presented.
But it was the onsen waters that truly moved us.
Takaragawa Onsen is known as gensen kakenagashi.
In the early morning, thick steam rose from the vast open-air baths, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
We soaked in the same sacred waters where samurai once bathed centuries ago. It felt as though we had stepped back in time — surrounded by the spirits of warriors and travelers who came here to heal.
Michael filming Stef.
We met Stef there (our third producer), and the three of us spent our days filming, soaking, eating, and talking late into the night. These shared moments reminded us exactly why we’re making this documentary — to capture the deep connections to nature, tradition, and each other that lie beneath the surface.
Takaragawa Onsen was unforgettable. A place where the soul is quietly restored.
Takaragawa Onsen: Bath of white hawk
Legend and folklore say that Yamato Takerunomikoto, a legendary prince known for conquests, was passing through the land when he fell ill. While sick, he spotted a hawk and decided to walk to it. It was from the guidance of the white hawk that he was led to the hot spa, where he submerged his body in the waters and it was said that his sickness healed completely, thus this onsen is also known as the Bath of the White Hawk.
Onsen Overview & Key Highlights
Location: Minakami, Gunma Prefecture
Travel: 2-3 hours from Tokyo
Dramatic, riverside rotenburo (outdoor baths) for mixed gender
One women’s private outdoor bath
Indoor baths
Historic ryokan, traditional Japanese rooms
Mountain-sourced kaiseki meals (think multi-course delights)
Our favorite part: Natural, untreated (gensen kakenagashi), no additives, no recirculation/filtering. It flows directly from the source.
You can read the details of the onsen waters here.
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