Family hotels and homes in Kawayu

Plenty of towels, pyjamas, washing machine and tumble dryer effective.

Very cosy and comfy yet seems clean and modern.

Best position and the very good the lakeview

Great location to explore Akan Mashu NP. Good size rooms. Great onsen. Delicious dinners. Friendly staff.

Kawayu Onsen is a lovely little spot - as long as this is what you're looking for - and this is the perfect hotel to stay in if you're coming. I've been to a lot of onsen towns in Japan, some with fantastic waters, some with picturesque streets to wander around in your yukata and geta. Kawayu, though, is a quiet little spot nestled in the mountains with lovely people, a bit of a "frontier" vibe and WONDERFUL waters. The town is centred on a great little ashi-yu (natural footbath) a couple of souvenir shops with a wild-west mountain vibe (hand-carved bear-claw pendants, anyone?) some great restaurants (Inaka-ya Genpei - HIGHLY recommended) and an old-skool sumo museum dedicated to a local hero. The hotel itself is a bit "Showa-era-poi" and the waters, for which this town is justly famous, are bloody great. I used not dig the sulphuric (eggy) onsens but this place has converted me: it seems, unlike the vast majority of Japanese onsens, the bath water is not diluted at all, and - due to its purity - there are signs all over as to how long you should spend in each bath (there are a variety of temperatures maintained) so as to not be dissolved away(!) I loved it. I doubt the waters actually have all the healing properties they claim, but they certainly put a smile on my face, This is far from where I live, but I’d love to visit again (wearing my (hand-carved bear-claw pendant)!