【♨️Niigata】Japan’s Most Underrated Gorge Hides a Secret Onsen Ryokan | Kiyotsukan

【♨️Niigata】Japan’s Most Underrated Gorge Hides a Secret Onsen Ryokan | Kiyotsukan

📍 At the entrance to Japan’s deepest gorge lies a true hidden onsen — 清津峡湯元温泉 清津館 (Kiyotsukan). Nestled in the quiet mountains of Niigata, this family-run ryokan has been welcoming travelers since 1934, offering direct access to the famous Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel and a private open-air bath with views that steal your breath away.

In this episode of Onsen with Hansen – Ryokan Meguri, join me and my friend Aoba on a girls’ trip into the heart of Japan’s mountain countryside. We came for the tunnel’s art and light, but found a ryokan that captures the soul of hitō (hidden hot spring) culture — warm hospitality, pure natural spring water, and a sense of calm that only places like this still hold.

⭐ JOURNEY THROUGH KIYOTSUKAN:
⏱ 00:00 Arrival in the valley of Kiyotsukyo
⏱ 01:22 The Journey to Kiyotsukan
⏱ 02:21 Entering the nostalgic ryokan lobby
⏱ 02:42 Japanese-style room tour with gorge views
⏱ 04:18 Private open-air onsen overlooking the river below
⏱ 06:08 Dinner with mountain vegetables, river fish & local rice
⏱ 08:22 Breakfast & autumn reflections
⏱ 08:52 Walk to the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel
⏱ 11:22 Morning chat with the family owners

🏯 PLAN YOUR ESCAPE:
📍 Access: From Tokyo → Take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station → Transfer to the Hokuhoku Line to Tōkamachi Station → From there, a 20-minute taxi ride or local bus to 清津峡入口 (Kiyotsu Gorge Entrance).
Total travel time: Around 2.5 hours from Tokyo.

👉 Official Ryokan Website:
https://kiyotsukan.com/

💡 INSIDER TIPS:
🔸Best Season to Visit: Late October to early November for peak autumn colors 🍁
🔸Must-Try: Arrive early to reserve the private open-air bath with a direct view of the gorge — it’s magical at sunset
🔸Don’t Miss: The Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel (清津峡渓谷トンネル), only a few minutes’ walk from the ryokan
🔸Winter Highlight: Heavy snowfall up to 4 meters turns this onsen into a snowy wonderland ❄️
🔸Artistic Touch: The current owner is a talented illustrator — look for his drawings in the lobby

🎯 FEATURED LOCATION:
清津峡湯元温泉 清津館 (Kiyotsukan)
🏯 Established in 1934 | Hidden Onsen Gateway to Kiyotsu Gorge
📍 Address:
〒949-8433 新潟県十日町市小出癸2126-1
2126-1 Koide-Mizunoe, Tōkamachi, Niigata, Japan

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　1. 🏞️ Japan’s MAGICAL White Hot Spring | Shirahone Onsen’s Hidden Secret – Awanoyu【白骨温泉 泡の湯】 — Misty mountain air and milky-white waters in the Japanese Alps
　👉 https://youtu.be/1arbmq8aMyA

　2. 🗾 Japan’s 5 Hidden Ryokans You Won’t Believe Exist! | Cave Baths, Tengu Guardians & Lamp-Lit Retreats — From Kita Onsen to Aoni Onsen, step off the map
　👉 https://youtu.be/AZbzO_QTPQw&t=78s

　3. 🛁 Japanese Onsen Secrets REVEALED: Ultimate Ryokan Etiquette Guide Step by Step + Common Mistakes — Bathe beautifully, even on your first time
　👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36jm9ZlfGz4

　4. 🌋 3 Secret Kagoshima Ryokans That Will BLOW YOUR MIND | Ghibli Vibes + Mud Baths! Solo Travel Guide — South Japan’s steamy hidden inns
　👉 https://youtu.be/r4qnFRvV1BU

　5. 🏯 1744 Historic Ryokan Experience | Ryori Ryokan Tsurugata in Kurashiki — A walk through Edo-period elegance
　👉 https://youtu.be/kP9di6trS8o

　6. 🏔️ Tokyo Too Hot? Escape to a Secret Mountain Onsen | Akaishi Ryokan【赤石温泉】— Cool off beside a babbling river in Yamanashi’s forgotten forests
　👉 https://youtu.be/xqBh3acQyoc

　6. 🍁 A Living Piece of Meiji History | 150 Years of Tradition at Arai Ryokan Shuzenji — Experience a ryokan steeped in centuries of history 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Qa46eI5Lc&t=141s

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👋 YOUR HOST:
I’m Hansen, a Scandinavian who has lived in Japan since 2010 and worked in the Japanese travel industry for 5 years. I created this channel, Onsen with Hansen (Ryokan Meguri), to share my passion for traditional ryokan, onsen and cultural experiences across Japan.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more ryokan adventures.
https://youtube.com/ryokanmeguri
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✨ Let’s relax, rejuvenate, and rediscover Japan, one ryokan at a time.
✨ 温泉が大好きなハンセンでした。次回も一緒に湯っくりしましょう！

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✋ Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored, and there are no affiliate links. I feature only ryokans that I have personally stayed at and genuinely loved, so everything you see on this channel is 100% based on my own experiences and preferences.

🎥 Disclaimer 2: Please note that filming in onsen areas is generally restricted to respect the privacy of other guests. Always remember to check with the ryokan staff for permission before filming. Ensuring everyone’s comfort and privacy is a key part of the Japanese onsen experience!