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TravelTips24 : Asia : East Asia : Japan : Honshu : Chubu : Gifu : Oku-Hida Onsen Villages

Oku-Hida Onsen Villages

The Oku-Hida Onsen Villages (奥飛騨温泉郷 Oku-Hida Onsengō, [1]) are a group of 5 remote hot spring (Jp. onsen) villages, nestled deep in the Japan Alps of Gifu prefecture.

From north to south, the five villages are Shin-Hotaka (新穂高), Tochio (栃尾), Shin-Hirayu (新平湯), Fukuchi (福地) and Hirayu (平湯).

Travel to Oku-Hida Onsen Villages & Visa Requirements

The easiest option is a direct bus from Shinjuku in Tokyo (4.5h, ¥5700). Alternatively, take a train to the nearest stations Matsumoto (if coming from the east) or Hida-Takayama (if coming from the west), then hop on a bus for the final leg (1.5h and ¥2300-2800 from Matsumoto, 50 min from Takayama).

Tours & Getting around Oku-Hida Onsen Villages

Infrequent bus services connect the villages, but to free yourself from limited bus schedules, this is one of those few places in Japan where renting a car may be a good option. Note that the mountain roads, while often scenic, are slow, twisty and tiring to drive, and are not a good place to learn to drive on the left.

Oku-Hida Onsen Villages attractions and sightseeing

  • Every village has an open-air bath (露天風呂 rotenburo) open to the public for free or a token fee. Note that these are communal and mixed, ladies wishing to retain their modesty may wish to bring a bathing suit.
  • Hirayu Waterfall (平湯大滝 Hirayu ōtaki). 64-meter high waterfall a few minutes south of Hirayu by car. Well marked and easily accessible along a short path, in winter the frozen waterfall is illuminated. Occasional buses, but check schedules carefully so you don't get stranded.

Oku-Hida Onsen Villages city tours

Being located in the heart of the northern Japan Alps, there are copious opportunities for hiking in the area, but do your research beforehand as many of the mountains are quite tough and the climbing season is very short — many peaks will still be covered in snow in June. A popular, if fairly challenging, three-day course is to scale all three peaks listed below in a row, crossing over from Oku-Hida to Kamikochi (or vice versa).

  • Mt. Yarigatake (槍ケ岳, 3180m), which means "Spear Mountain" for a reason, is occasionally dubbed Japan's Matterhorn.
  • Mt. Okuhotakadake (奥穂高岳, 3190m) is the third-highest mountain in Japan.
  • Mt. Nishi-Hotakadake (西穂高岳, 2908m) is easier than most thanks in no small part to the cable car from Shin-Hotaka which takes you halfway up (¥1500/2800 one-way/return, plus ¥300 for large packs).

Oku-Hida Onsen Villages souvenirs & shopping

Oku-Hida Onsen Villages Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

The Hida region is well known for its fatty, well marbled beef and you are practically guaranteed to get a taste of it at dinner. Prices tend to be fairly stratospheric though.

Oku-Hida Onsen Villages nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Oku-Hida Onsen Villages cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

There are plentiful accommodation options in the villages, but most of it is distinctly high-end. Pretty much the only budget option is camping... but, then again, if you're going to splurge one on your Japan trip this is quite possibly the best place to do it. Unless otherwise noted, all prices listed below are per person with two meals included.

  • Yari-no-Sato (槍の郷), Shin-Hotaka , tel. 0578-9-3434, [2]. An outstanding little inn featuring no less than 2 indoor and 3 outdoor baths, with all outdoor baths reservable for private use for you and yours. Note that, unlike most lodgings in the area, the rooms here are Western style (beds, not tatami) and the lodge itself is a Japanese fantasy of a Swiss chalet. ¥13000 and up.

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This page was last edited at 11:11, on 9 June 2008 by David. Based on work by Jani Patokallio and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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