A volanically active country, Japan has thousands of “onsen” or hot springs. Onsens were traditionally used as public bathing places and today play a central role in Japanese domestic tourism. Bessho Onsen is one of the oldest hot springs in Nagano Prefecture. Its springs are also called “Water of Beauty,” because your skin will be softer and smoother after your bath. Situated in the Shiodadaira basin a short train ride from Ueda Station is Bessho Onsen, considered to be the onsen with the oldest history in Nagano.
There are several important cultural monuments in the area, including Anrakuji Temple whose 3-tiered octagonal pagoda has been declared a national treasure, and Kitamuki Kannon Temple which is situated facing north to Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City. Because of this collection of cultural assets, the area is called the “Kamakura of Nagano”.
Bessho/Bessyo Onsen (Hot Spring Spa) consists of several hot springs, each with its own individual charm, which can be enjoyed by anyone no matter where they are staying. The Take-no-Nobori (banners) is a well-known but rather unusual festival held in Bessho that has been designated as intangible national treasure. It is held every summer to pray for sufficient rain. Bessho Onsen has been loved by people for 1200 years. By Bessho Line will take 30 mins. from Ueda station to Bessho Onsen Station.
List of Bessho Onsen Ryokan (Japanese style hotel):
Tama-ya Inn 227 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-3015
http://www.tamaya-ryokan.jp/
Hanaya Ryokan 169 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-3131
http://hanaya.naganoken.jp/
Rinsenro Kashiwaya Bessou 1640 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-2345 Fax: 0268-38-7863
http://www.rinsenro.com/
Uematsuya Ryokan 5-14-2 Chuo, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-0012, Japan Tel: 0268-22-2300 Fax: 0268-38-8501 / +81-268-38-8501 (Worldwide Fax)
http://www.uematsuya.com/english/index.html
Kashiwaya Honten 1654 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-3011 Fax: 0268-38-3772
http://www.kashiwayahonten.com/
Daishi-yu Bessho Onsen (Hot Spring Spa) 1652-1 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan
Tel: 0268-38-5750
Izumiya Ryokan Tel: 0268-38-3030 Fax: 0268-38-4990
http://www.izumiyaryokan.jp/
Nanjyo Ryokan (Tabi no Yado Nanjyo) 212 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-2800 Fax: 0268-38-2824
http://www.nanjyoryokan.com/
Ryokan Tsuruya 216 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-3008 (Domestic call), +81-268-38-3008 (International call) Fax: 0268-38-3009 (Domestic fax), +81-268-38-3009 (International fax)
http://www.ryokan-tsuruya.com/english/
Ryokan Takeya 1631 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-2828 Fax: 0268-38-2928
http://www.ryokan-takeya.com/
Ryokan Nakamatuya 1627 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-3123
Website: http://www.nakamatuya.co.jp/contact/
Ryokan Nanakusa 1621 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 268-38-2323
http://nanakusa.net/
Bessyo Kanko Hotel 323 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-2043
http://www.bessyokh.com/
Saito Ryokan 202 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-2139
http://saitoryokan.com/
Midoriya Ryokan 225 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-2016 Fax: 0268-38-2065
Website: http://www.midoriya-ryokan.jp/index2_fl.htm
Mount View Hotel Asahikan 1650 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0120-026-838 (Toll free), 0268-38-2332 Fax: 0268-38-2321
Website: http://www.asahikan.com/
Matsushima-ya Ryokan 1729 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268(38)2128
Website: http://www.bessho-onsen.com/inn/%E6%9D%BE%E5%B3%B6%E5%B1%8B%E6%97%85%E9%…
Ryokan Seizan 317 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268(38)2826
http://www.bessho-onsen.com/inn/%E6%97%85%E9%A4%A8%E3%80%80%E6%99%B4%E5%…
Tirol-tei Inn 1762 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan
Tel: 0268-38-2539
Furusato Ryokan 1843-2 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan
Tel: 0268-38-2142
Ueda Mahoroba Youth Hostel 40-1 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-5229
Website: http://www14.ueda.ne.jp/~mahoroba42731/
Ishi-yu (Stone hot water) Bessho Onsen (Hot Spring Spa) 1641-1 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan
Tel: 0268-38-3510, 0268-38-5750
Ooyu (Oyu) Bessho Onsen (Hot Spring Spa) 215-1 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan
Tel: 0268-38-5750
Bessho Spa Tourism Association
1853-3 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-3510 Fax: 0268-38-8887
Website: http://www.bessho-spa.jp/
Bessho Onsen Ryokan Association (Bessyo onsen ryokan kumiai)
1853-3 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel: 0268-38-2020 Fax: 0268-38-8887
Website: http://www.bessyo.or.jp/english_n/ & http://www.bessho-onsen.com/
Ueda Dentetsu Bessho Line (Ueda Electric Railway) Between Ueda and Bessho Onsen Station 498 Shimonogo, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1211, Japan Tel: 0268-39-7117
Website: http://www.uedadentetsu.com/
Bessho Onsen Public Bathhouse
Bessho Onsen Center office 1723 Besshoonsen, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431, Japan Tel/Fax: 0268-38-5750 Ueda Bessho Taxi Office TEL :0268-38-2355 Bessho Onsen flower shop, Tel: 0268-38-3131
Website: http://www.geocities.jp/besshoonsen_zaisanku/
