From Tokyo - Takaragawa Onsen River Baths & Glass Studio

Highlights

• Takaragawa Onsen - four vast outdoor rock pools on a mountain river
• Bath wraps provided; tattoos accepted; day visitors welcome
• Tsukiyono Vidro Park glass studio - watch, or blow your own glass
• Sukawa thatched village and the Suwakyo Bridge gorge view
• Private van from your Tokyo hotel with an English, Urdu or Hindi guide

Description

If you have seen one photograph of a Japanese outdoor bath, it was probably Takaragawa: enormous rock pools on the banks of a river in the mountains of Gunma, steam rising over the water, snow on the trees in winter. It is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Tokyo, it is open to day visitors, and the old inn beside it is a museum of folk objects and bear skins that is as odd as it is beautiful. We collect you at your Tokyo hotel and drive north through Minakami. Takaragawa Onsen has four open-air baths totalling 470 square metres beside the Takara River - three of them mixed, with bath wraps provided so everyone can use them, and one for women only - plus indoor baths. You soak for as long as you like; your guide shows you the etiquette and the best pool for the season. The inn's tatami lounges and the river walk are yours between baths. Lunch is in the valley. In the afternoon we drive to Tsukiyono Vidro Park, a glass studio where you can watch the glass-blowers and, if you like, blow a glass or make a paperweight yourself, posted to you after it cools, then walk the old snow-country village of Sukawa nearby, with its thatched houses. We finish with the Suwakyo Bridge view over the Tone gorge before the drive back to Tokyo. WHAT YOU PAY IS WHAT YOU PAY The price is one fixed amount for your whole group: the private van, fuel, tolls, parking, your driver-guide for the day, and the onsen day-visitor entry for everyone in your group. There are no per-person supplements and no booking fees. The only things paid on the day are the optional glass workshop and your lunch, and both are your choice. GOOD TO KNOW Bath wraps are provided at Takaragawa, so the mixed baths are comfortable for everyone; tattoos are accepted. The baths are outdoors and reached by stone paths - wonderful in snow, but wear shoes with grip. Bring a towel or rent one. Children are welcome in the baths.

Includes

Private air-conditioned van for your group only English, Urdu or Hindi speaking driver-guide Hotel pickup and drop-off within Tokyo's 23 wards Takaragawa Onsen day-visitor entry for everyone in your group Fuel, expressway tolls and parking Bottled water Child seat free on request One fixed price for the whole group - no hidden charges and no per-person supplements

Excludes

Glass-blowing workshop, optional (about 3,000-4,000 yen; posting extra) Towel rental, optional (about 300 yen) - bath wraps are provided, so a towel is only for drying Food and drinks (optional - bring your own or buy on the day) Gratuities (never expected)

Important Information

• Bring a towel; swimwear is not needed - bath wraps are provided for the mixed pools. Tattoos are accepted here. The outdoor paths can be icy in winter; shoes with grip are essential. Glass pieces are posted after cooling; give us an address. The onsen day-visitor entry is included in the price for everyone in your group. The glass workshop and lunch are optional and are your own choice on the day. Travelling with small children? Tell us their ages when booking and we will confirm the child-seat arrangement for your date.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund