Kinugawa Onsen Hot Spring 鬼怒川温泉
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Kinugawa Onsen spa is a hot spring resort along the Kinugawa River. It is also adjacent to Kawaji Onsen spa. It's not a crowded place. Large hotels, some nature walks, and theme parks (Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura, etc.) nearby.
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After a 130-min. train ride from Asakusa, Tokyo, we are greeted by this ogre statue at Kinugawa Onsen Station. The Japanese word for "ogre" (oni) is included in the name "Kinugawa." So you'll see lots of ogres (also called demons
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Near most major hot spring hotels is Tateiwa Promenade, a walking path along Kinugawa River. Something to do during the day. 楯岩遊歩道
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Stone lantern in Kunigawa Onsen. "Onsen" means hot spring.
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Kinutateiwa Bridge goes over Kinugawa River. There's a riverside walking path to a few sights like small waterfalls and scenic points.
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Kinutateiwa Bridge is for pedestrians only. Spans 140 meters long, and 37 meters above the river. 鬼怒楯岩大吊橋
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These photos were taken in January, so it's not so colorful.
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Great views of the river below. Nicknamed "Matchmaking Bridge."
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Kinugawa River as seen from Kinutateiwa Bridge.
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Kinugawa River as seen from Kinutateiwa Bridge in Kinugawa Onsen.
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Kinugawa Onsen
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Cables holding the bridge up.
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Other side of the bridge has the Tateiwa Promenade is a walking path.
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Tateki ogre statue. One of the Seven Ogres of Good Fortune at Kinugawa Onsen. 楯鬼「七福邪鬼めぐり」
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After crossing the bridge, go left and you will soon see Furukama Falls. 古釜の滝
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Furukama Falls in Kinugawa Onsen, Tochigi. 古釜の滝
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Suehiro Pond is in an auspicious fan shape.. 末広池
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Furukama Falls and Suehiro Pond. 古釜の滝
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Back on the Tateiwa Promenade walking path. It's not a long path.
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Tateiwa Tunnel. This Tateiwa Rock is considered to be female.
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So Tateiwa Tunnel is like being inside a mother's womb. It goes to the Tateiwa Scenic Point.
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Tateiwa Tunnel is 72 meters long.
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Tateiwa Scenic Point is on this small, pointy hill. 楯岩展望台
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Tateiwa Scenic Point is on this small, pointy hill. 楯岩展望台
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Next to Tateiwa Scenic Point is Tateiwa Kinuhime Shrine.
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Tateiwa Kinuhime Shrine. Pray here to find a good mate, have a child, long life, and business prosperity. 楯岩鬼怒姫神社
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Ogre Birth Monument. Looks like a baby Buddha.
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Ogre Birth Monument memorializes the birth of all Seven Ogres of Good Fortune from the Tateiwa rock. "Tateiwa" means "protective rock." 楯岩
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Steps up to Tateiwa Scenic Point.
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Tateiwa Scenic Point is a small lookout deck on a small hill 104 meters above the river. 楯岩展望台
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From Tateiwa Scenic Point, fine views of Kinugawa Onsen spa. 楯岩展望台
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From Tateiwa Scenic Point, fine views of Kinugawa Onsen spa (uprstream). 楯岩展望台
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From Tateiwa Scenic Point, fine views of Kinugawa Onsen spa. 楯岩展望台
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From Tateiwa Scenic Point, fine views of Kinugawa Onsen spa (downstream). 楯岩展望台
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On Tateiwa Scenic Point, Matchmaking Bell for people looking for a mate. Ring the bell to find marital happiness.
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Directions back.
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Kinutateiwa Bridge
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Kinutateiwa Bridge over Kinugawa River.
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Walking back across Kinutateiwa Bridge over Kinugawa River.
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Kinugawa River as seen from Kinutateiwa Bridge.
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Kinugawa River as seen from Kinutateiwa Bridge.
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Kinugawa Onsen town.
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Cherry blossom road in Kinugawa Onsen.
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Sunset clouds in Kinugawa Onsen.
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Along Kinugawa River, Kinugawa Park Hotels. It has multiple hotel buildings. I stayed in the Kirakukan tower in the center. 鬼怒川パークホテルズ
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Kinugawa Park Hotels, where we stayed overnight in Kinugawa Onsen hot spring. Very nice hotel. 鬼怒川パークホテルズ
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My nice room at Kinugawa Park Hotels (Kirakukan 9th floor). Ten tatami mats plus twin beds. This room can normally sleep six people or so. 鬼怒川パークホテルズ
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Low table in my room.
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Welcome confection and room key.
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Window-side of the room had twin beds.
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Twin beds in my room. Unless it's a double bed, a futon is always more comfortable.
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Sofa
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Bathroom.
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Bathroom sink made of pottery.
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Bathtub.
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Refrigerator with paid drinks.
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View from my room on the top floor (9th floor).
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Hotel gift shop.
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Horse oil products like shampoo.
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Kinugawa Cider
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Hina dolls at Kinugawa Park Hotels.
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The start of our aesthetic and delicious kaiseki dinner at Kinugawa Park Hotels in Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko. 鬼怒川パークホテルズ
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Eggplant
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Vegetables
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Pickles
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Fruits for dessert.
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The hotel president also greeted us during dinner and gave us the VIP treatment.
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Changing room at the Kinugawa Park Hotels hot spring bath.
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Outdoor hot spring bath at Kinugawa Park Hotels (Kirakukan) in Kinugawa Onsen, in the morning. 鬼怒川パークホテルズ
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Outdoor hot spring bath at Kinugawa Park Hotels in Kinugawa Onsen.
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Outdoor hot spring bath at Kinugawa Park Hotels in Kinugawa Onsen.
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View from the outdoor bath.
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Indoor hot spring bath at Kinugawa Park Hotels in Kinugawa Onsen. Large rectangular bath and round, barrel baths.
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Round, barrel bath.
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Soaping area.
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Hair dryers, etc.
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Breakfast at Kinugawa Park Hotels in Kinugawa Onsen, Tochigi.
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Breakfast at Kinugawa Park Hotels.
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After dinner, we went to Kotokuji, a Soto Zen Buddhist temple in Nikko. 高徳寺
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Kotokuji Temple altar in Nikko. 高徳寺（日光市）
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Kotokuji Temple altar in Nikko. 高徳寺（日光市）
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Kotokuji Temple altar in Nikko. 高徳寺（日光市）
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Kotokuji Temple priest explaining about the temple. 高徳寺（日光市）
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At Kotokuji Temple, we tried Zen meditation.
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The priest explaining about Zen meditation.
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While we were meditating for 15 min. or so with eyes open in a yoga sitting position, this priest walked around with a long stick and whacked us on the shoulder. It was pretty hard and it stung too. Fun to hear the girls' reactions... (Ouch!!) I successfully suppressed my burst of laughter during the meditation.
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From Asakusa Station in Tokyo, take the Tobu Kinugawa Line to Kinugawa Onsen Station. By express train, it takes about 2 hr. 10 min.
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Kinugawa Onsen Station.
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Foot bath at Kinugawa Onsen Station.
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Tourists at a foot bath at Kinugawa Onsen Station.
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An old rotating track for trains.
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Kinugawa Onsen Station.
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Kinugawa Onsen Station.
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Kinugawa Onsen Station platform.
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Kinugawa Onsen Station.
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