Takeo Onsen

A hot spring area known for the skin beautifying properties of its waters for 1,300 years. The area’s mildly alkaline simple springs contain a variety of beautifying substances. Highly moisturizing and gentle on the skin, their waters are also said to treat a wide variety of ailments, including fatigue, nerve pain, muscle soreness, joint pain, and frozen shoulders. There are also an abundance of sightseeing destinations in the area, such as the Koya Temple, famous for the over 1,000 Japanese and Western rhododendrons spanning 20 species which grow on its grounds; and the Baba no Yamazakura mountain cherry tree and the Wind Cave of Nagano, city designated Natural Monuments. Famous for its Takeo ware, the city has more than 90 ceramics studios, some of which offer activities such as Takeo ware painting. The hot spring town district’s majestic Sakura-mon Gate, a designated National Important Cultural Property, is a must-see.