Minakami Sanso Interview Article

Minakami Sanso is a ryokan where guests can enjoy both its five-star onsen, certified by the Japan Onsen Association, and breathtaking views of Mount Tanigawa. The ryokan offers 19 rooms, each with unique interior designs, ensuring that every visit feels fresh and new.

The onsen uses 100% natural spring water that flows directly from the source, offering the ultimate experience of a kakenagashi (free-flowing) onsen. From the open-air baths in the public bath area and the private semi-open-air baths in the guest rooms, you can relax while gazing at Mount Tanigawa and the starry sky.

Access from central Tokyo to the nearest station, JR Minakami Station, takes about two hours. If you're using the Shinkansen, take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Jomo-Kogen Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi to reach JR Minakami Station.

From JR Minakami Station to the hotel, a shuttle bus service is available between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM (reservation required in advance).

Nearby attractions include the Tenichi Art Museum, White Valley Ski Resort, and Mount Tanigawa.

Tenichi Museum is the final work of Junzo Yoshimura, one of Japan's leading architects. The museum houses and displays a collection of modern Japanese and Western paintings, Edo-period ukiyo-e prints, and Korean ceramics. White Valley Ski Resort is a family-friendly ski resort known for its powder snow, attracting many skiers in search of quality snow during the winter season.

For those looking for more adventure, trekking at Mount Tanigawa is also an option. The mountain offers several hiking courses for all levels, from beginners to advanced hikers, making it accessible even for those with little hiking experience.

The first attraction of Minakami Sanso is the magnificent views of Mount Tanigawa from the lounge and guest rooms. Mount Tanigawa, standing at 1,977 meters, is one of Japan's 100 famous mountains, located on the border between Niigata and Gunma Prefectures. From the windows of the observation lounge, a stunning landscape unfolds before you, resembling a beautiful painting displayed in the lounge.

Mornings in the lounge offer a luxurious experience where you can enjoy classical music and coffee.

Moreover, the breathtaking views of Mount Tanigawa can be enjoyed not only from the lounge but also from all guest rooms. Each room is equipped with binoculars, allowing guests to appreciate the majestic scenery, from distant landscapes to intricate details. The changing appearance of Mount Tanigawa throughout the seasons enhances the allure of your stay. In spring and early summer, while some snow still lingers on the mountain, the refreshing sounds of the flowing river and the new green of the nearby hills create a serene atmosphere.

In autumn, the vibrant red leaves beautifully contrast with the colorful Mount Tanigawa in the background.

In winter, a beautiful landscape covered in pristine white snow unfolds. In this way, Mount Tanigawa showcases different charms with each season, making it a place where you can fully enjoy the beauty of Japan's four seasons.

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The onsen at Minakami Sanso is characterized by its precious 100% natural spring water. This means that the onsen uses water directly from the source without any dilution or heating, making it the most luxurious type of onsen.

Typically, natural spring water doesn’t reach a comfortable temperature on its own, requiring dilution or heating. However, Minakami Sanso has three different sources of spring water with varying temperatures, allowing them to blend these to achieve a naturally comfortable temperature. Additionally, due to its high-quality water, which does not require chlorine disinfection, guests can enjoy consistently fresh onsen.

This is the secret behind why it is said that bathing in the onsen at Minakami Sanso makes your skin feel “like it is being absorbed.

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

The water quality is classified as alkaline simple spring water. Bathing in it is effective for ailments such as neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, and frozen shoulder. Drinking the water can help with gastrointestinal issues and constipation.

From the open-air baths, you can enjoy views of Mount Tanigawa during the day and a sky full of stars at night. In the men’s open-air bath, "Sennin Iwa no Yu," there are stone chairs known as Sennin Stones. According to legend, a onsen-loving hermit once sat on these stones, and soaking in the onsen while seated on these chairs is said to promise longevity.

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

In the women’s open-air bath, there are also stone chairs crafted with care by the founder. These chairs were designed to provide the best views of Mount Tanigawa and the starry sky, with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every angle is perfect down to the centimeter. They truly offer a prime seat for enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

Additionally, the walls of the open-air bath are adorned with traditional Japanese hats, known as kasa, which have been used as rain gear since ancient times. By wearing these hats while soaking in the onsen and enjoying the mountain views on rainy or snowy days, you can experience a piece of traditional Japanese culture.

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Minakami Sanso offers 19 guest rooms, each with unique interior designs and varying sizes, making it suitable for both couples and family vacations. Some rooms feature traditional Japanese tatami flooring, while others have the ambiance of a cozy vacation home. From every room, you can enjoy magnificent views of Mount Tanigawa, and the changing scenery of the mountain with each season adds to its appeal.

In addition to the standard Japanese-style rooms, the other guest rooms feature semi-open-air baths, ensuring privacy for families or couples to enjoy the onsen together. With flexible bathing hours, guests can indulge in the onsen as much as they like at their preferred times.

This time, we will introduce three of the many available guest rooms.

Suzuran

The luxurious suite "Suzuran" features a calming interior with a modern Japanese design, primarily in black. The room spans 67 square meters, accommodating 2 to 4 guests.

The bedroom is equipped with a low bed on tatami flooring, and if three or more guests are staying, an extra bed will be provided in the living room.

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

The bathroom features two sinks, ensuring comfort for up to four guests.

The "Suzuran" suite features a semi-open-air bath by the window. You can enjoy a relaxing time while gazing at the natural scenery.

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

Chigusa

"Chigusa" is a twin room that was renovated in 2024, accommodating up to 2 guests. This 30-square-meter Western-style room with twin beds is perfect for couples or married couples.

In the semi-open-air bath of "Chigusa," you can enjoy a luxurious onsen experience while taking in the magnificent views of Mount Tanigawa.

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

Kousei

Minakami Sanso also features the unique "Kousei" guest room, which has a vacation home-like atmosphere, a rarity for a ryokan.

This room, renovated in 2022, is a spacious 100 square meters that can accommodate 2 to 6 guests. It also features a semi-open-air bath with a jet bath and large windows that provide a sense of openness.

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

This guest room also includes a Japanese-style room, allowing you to enjoy a traditional Japanese space as well.

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

In addition, Minakami Sanso offers a variety of carefully designed room types. Be sure to choose a room that suits your travel style. For more details, please check the official website.

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The cuisine at Minakami Sansou features creative kaiseki meals, crafted by skilled chefs using carefully selected seasonal ingredients sourced from across Japan. The menu changes with each season, allowing guests to experience different flavors depending on the time of their visit. Not only is each dish a delight in taste, but the chefs' expertise also makes each presentation visually appealing, offering a feast for the eyes as well.

When our editorial team visited in October 2024, the menu featured an array of seasonal autumn dishes, such as tenderly stewed Pacific saury in a tomato-infused Japanese broth and a salt koji hotpot with Joshu wagyu and mushrooms.

(*Please note: the dishes in the photo may differ.)

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

Breakfast also features a traditional Japanese set meal, made with plenty of fresh ingredients and thoughtfully balanced to provide essential nutrients for a great start to the day.

<Quoted from the official Minakami Sanso website>

The facility features two dining areas, each with its own unique atmosphere, including private and semi-private rooms. You can enjoy your carefully prepared meal while relaxing and taking in the garden view, without worrying about other guests, making it perfect for families, couples, or friends.

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Minakami Sanso cherishs the memories of guests' travels. For those who wish, They provide shikishi board where they can write about their experiences and feelings from their journey.

Shikishi board is a type of thick paper that has been used in Japan since ancient times for writing waka, haiku, calligraphy, and for collecting messages from friends.

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Minakami Sanso is a facility where you can choose from 19 uniquely designed rooms, each with its own distinctive interior, allowing you to enjoy the seasonal beauty of Mount Tanigawa in a style that suits you. The onsen features a luxurious 100% natural spring flow, and the views of the surrounding mountains and the night sky while soaking in the bath are exceptional. In the private in-room baths, you can enjoy the onsen in a personal space without any concerns, perfect for sharing with loved ones.

To create special memories of your trip to Japan, be sure to visit Minakami Sanso.

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