喜連川温泉, building in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Kitsuregawa Onsen is a hot spring resort in the city of Sakura, Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo. The water is rich in sodium chloride with a mildly alkaline composition, giving it a soft texture on the skin.
The spring was developed and opened in 1981, drawing visitors interested in the skin-friendly properties of the water. Since then, it has grown into a recognized bathing destination in the Kanto region.
Kitsuregawa Onsen is known across Japan as one of the three best hot springs for beautiful skin, a reputation that draws visitors from far away. The water feels notably soft on the skin, and many guests return regularly just for that effect.
The resort sits outside the main center of Sakura and is most easily reached by car or local bus. Most bathing facilities offer both indoor and outdoor baths, and visiting on a weekday tends to be quieter than on weekends.
The area is tied to an old legend about a princess, and the local mascot is Konta-kun, a fox carrying a fish on its back. This character appears at local events and represents the area on tourism materials throughout the region.
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