Nakanojo Station - Accommodation at Shima Onsen - Exploring the surrounding area
Discover the attractive spots of Shima Onsen on your own. You might find a great view between the buildings.
However, the "D-Chari Research Team" went out exploring in the hopes that it might be of some use.
This time, we took the Agatsuma Line from JR Takasaki Station for about 50 minutes. We headed to the Shima Onsen area from Nakanojo Station, the closest station to Shima Onsen.
The distance is about 16km. A fully charged D-Chari battery can run 30km, so
Recharge your batteries during your stay at Shima Onsen Ryokan, and the next day explore some hidden gems around Shima Onsen.
Please feel free to use this as a reference!
Car route search (by Google map)
Walking route search (by Google map)
If you search for a route on Google Maps, we recommend a walking route rather than a car route. Car routes often take you to major roads and roads with heavy traffic that D-Chari cannot enter. Bicycle searches may or may not be available, so we recommend a walking route. Looking at the map, it takes 3 hours and 50 minutes lol. Don't worry. If you don't make any detours, you can arrive in about an hour by D-Chari.
01
JR Agatsuma Line Nakanojo Station
It's local but clean. You can park your car freely in the large parking lot in front of the station for a short time. (Great!)
02
I found a wonderful temple!
Hakuun-in Temple Rinshoji Temple
Just as we started, a huge temple suddenly appeared in a residential area! We had to go there!
03
Route search is recommended to use walking route.
If you go straight, you'll be on the main road. Lake Shima is on the way. If you turn right, you'll be on a mountain road or farm road. If you're driving, it's the main road, but if you're riding a D-Chari, you'll be on the right!
When searching for a route on Google Maps, choosing a walking route instead of a car route will increase your chances of finding a hidden gem! (From my experience)
04
Unobstructed farm road
A farm road crossing rice fields. Rice fields and mountains!
There was not much information to jump into, which was a relief from the busyness of everyday life.
05
The mountain path is really downhill
When you enter the mountain path from the farm road, you will be heading down a steep slope. It is a road where wild animals are likely to appear, so I prayed not to encounter a bear.
When riding a D-Chari downhill, be careful not to go too fast!
06
When you reach National Route 353, turn left!
Shima Onsen is on the right, but I'm on the left. Why?
This is because there is Lake Shima, where you can enjoy activities such as emerald blue water, kayaking, and canyoning, where you jump into the pool of a waterfall. The water of the lakes and rivers in Shima is a miraculous color called "Shima Blue"! It's a photogenic spot. If you take the bus from the station, you'll pass it by. What a waste.
Activity Japan Tourhttps://activityjapan.com/publish/plan/19147
07
Even on the roads that are not tourist spots
A snap of Lake Shima
The color of this lake is so blue that it almost feels unnatural, a mysterious color.
At the back of the hot spring town, there is another dam called Okushima Lake, which is also worth exploring! By the way, you can't get there by bus or on foot.
08
Melody Line
Here's the disappointing thing about D-Chari: the melody line.
A mysterious road that plays music with the sound of tires friction against the road.
Shima Onsen was also the model for "Spirited Away," so the song was "Always With Me"
But, the advantage of the D-Chari is that when a car passes by, you can listen to the music over and over again! It's calling me, somewhere deep in my heart.
09
Mori no Cafe
Unlike a roadside station, this rest area seems to be a fusion of old and new.
A toilet can be so modern and stylish! Lol
Ten
Shima potholes
The strange rocks, which were formed over tens of thousands of years, and the blue of the Shima River are simply amazing. Even the river water is emerald blue. Is this really Japan?
11
We've arrived at the hot spring town!
Once you enter the hot spring town, you will find a number of inns worth visiting, such as Kashiwaya Ryokan and Yamaguchikan. Shima Onsen consists of this area and the area where Sekizenkan, famous for being the model for Spirited Away, is located. I really like the river scenery around here.
12
Wait! Shima Seiryuu no Yu
The best hot spring that you can enter for 600 yen. It's not a ryokan but on the river? You can enjoy an open-air bath right on the river here.
The view is amazing, the water is amazing, and there's a nice rest area for just 600 yen! Can you find it? Lol
The hint is the bridge near Kashiwaya Ryokan.
13
But wait! A foot bath with a great view
It's weird to even notice an alley like this lol
Entering an alley about 80cm wide, going down the stairs, and crossing a simple bridge, you will find a rock foot bath at the same level as the riverbank. You will be grateful for your D-Chari. Be aware of the no parking signs and be careful not to cause trouble to the locals! Don't forget that this tourist spot exists because of the locals.
You won't be able to find this place on the map, so use the photo as a reference.
14
Now, let's go to the main hot spring area, the second hot spring town.
There are many shops in this hot spring town. If you come to Gunma Prefecture, we especially recommend "yakimanju" (fried manju).
Authentic baked manju are fluffy and moist, and different from the ones you can find in highway parking lots.
It's a long story, but please tell him it's delicious! lol
15
Sekizenkan, the model for Spirited Away
But the whole place is a historic inn.
This time, I stayed at Shima Grand Hotel. It is a sister hotel of the famous long-established inn "Tamura", so you can also take a bath in Tamura's hot spring bath! If you are not familiar with Japanese culture, I recommend the slightly more modern Grand Hotel. Don't forget to take photos of Sekizenkan during the day and at night!
16
It takes so much to get from the station to the hotel, and it would be such a waste to just take a bus straight through the station!
It's a 40-minute bus ride from the station. It's fine if you're in a hurry, but once you arrive at Shima Onsen, you can't walk to the surrounding tourist sites. Not only that, there aren't many guides, so you'll have to explore on your own!
17
A hidden gem, undiscovered Koizumi and Oizumi Falls
Again, it's hard to understand lol
This waterfall is so amazing... The color of the river is clear, emerald blue, and then white. I wonder if the locals really know how amazing it is? There's only a small sign at the entrance lol
There is no parking space for cars, so please use a bicycle.
18
Birthplace of Shima Onsen
Hinatami Yakushido
When you come to Shima Onsen, be sure to bow to the hot spring gods.
Shima Onsen has a history of over 1000 years. It is said to be the place where hot springs first emerged. There was a free hot spring next door, but it seems to be closed now. Too bad.
This is the very back of the hot spring town. However, you can't get there by foot. The open-air bath at the inn at the very back, Nakaseikan, is in the river lol
19
Lake Okushima, also known as Shima River Dam
The shallows are emerald blue
Fukase is cobalt blue
Is there a lake this blue?
This lake is popular with Japanese tourists.
Well, don't stop at just looking at the dam. You can go around the lake on a one-way road. Congratulations to all D-Chari users!
20
Lake Okushima seen from the other side
There is a large bridge deep in Lake Okushima.
The view from that end is more natural than the view from the dam entrance. I prefer this view.
However , depending on the weather and the angle, the color of the lake can be green, blue, or super clear, so it doesn't make sense...
twenty one
Finally
Shakunage Falls
Only a few people come this far.
But it's a big waterfall. It's worth seeing. The surrounding atmosphere is amazing. If you like nature, you must go around Lake Okushima. Autumn photos (Shima Tourist Association) are posted.
twenty two
That's the course I discovered.
The therapeutic waters of Shima Onsen are the best, and the spring water tingles to the core of your body. With such a wonderful hot spring, it would be a waste to just soak in the hot springs and wander around the hot spring town. I'm impressed by the hot springs' potential. There are many little-known tourist spots scattered around, so be sure to rent a D-Chari and go on an exploration trip.
thank you very much!
D-Chari Research Team
I travel to various destinations on my D-Chari.
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