Awazu Onsen (É) is one of the four hot spring towns that make up Kaga Onsen. Its waters were discovered over 1300 years ago by the same monk who founded nearby Natadera Temple. The town is home to Hoshi Ryokan, which, founded in 718, is one of the world's oldest hotels and longest continuously operating companies.

Awazu Onsen's clear spring waters are said to help with circulation, ease chronic disease and rejuvenate the skin. It can be enjoyed at the town's ryokan and at the Soyu, the public bath house which is frequented by both residents and visitors alike. The Soyu is a recently rebuilt, modern facility that has one large indoor pool in each of its gender segregated bathing areas.

Two kilometers outside central Awazu lies the Yunokuninomori craft village, where tourists can purchase or try their hand at making various traditional handicrafts from the region. The village consists of over a dozen traditional style buildings that are each dedicated to a specific craft, such as pottery, lacquerware, gold leaf gilding and glass making.

A few kilometers down the road from Yunokuninomori stands Natadera Temple an important temple which belongs to the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Natadera is known for its caves carved into a rocky cliffside that were used for meditation.

Getting there and around

From Kaga Onsen Station

Awazu Onsen, the Yunokuninomori craft village and Natadera are connected by the Can Bus (Yamamawari course) from Kaga Onsen Station in about an hour. There are buses about every two hours, but note that central Awazu Onsen is served only by some of them.

From Komatsu Station

There are hourly buses between Komatsu Station and Awazu Onsen. The one way ride takes 30 minutes and costs 460 yen. Some buses continue on to Natadera Temple.

From Awazu Station

Awazu is a station along the IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Kaga Onsen stations, however, the station is not located centrally. From the station it is a ten minute bus or taxi ride into the town center. To make things worse, train arrivals and bus departures are not always well timed with each other.

How to get to and around Kaga Onsen

Hours and Fees

Soyu Public Bath

Hours

Closed

Admission

Yunokuninomori

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Kaga Onsen

    • Araya Totoan
      Genuine traditional ryokan in the heart of Yamashiro Onsen. Enjoy the refined cuisine with its esthetic tranquility. Complementary shuttle from JR Kaga Onsen Sta.
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    • Tachibana Shikitei
      Established in 1868, Tachibana Shikitei in the center of Yamashiro Onsen offers authentic Japanese hospitality. A spacious room with private onsen available.
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    • Yoshidaya Sannoukaku
      A traditional ryokan on a tranquil hill in Yamashiro. Enjoy in-room private onsen bath and local fresh specialties. Free shuttle provided to/from JR Kaga Sta.
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