Before You Book the Bath Option
Bathing in Japan is nude and separated by gender. Guests with tattoos cannot enter, and children under 6 cannot enter the baths. As a male guide, I cannot enter the women's bath area. If any of this applies to you, choose the walk-only option — you will still see everything on the walk.
Tokyo's Only Spring Site on Japan's “100 Remarkable Waters” List
In 2008, Japan's Ministry of the Environment selected the Ochiai River and the Minamisawa springs in Higashi-Kurume as one of the country's 100 remarkable waters. It is the only site in Tokyo on that list. About 10,000 tons of spring water rise here every day, which keeps the river shallow, cool and clear all year. Just 25 minutes from Ikebukuro, few visitors know it exists.
Chikurin Park — A Quiet Grove of 2,000 Bamboo
We start at Higashi-Kurume Station and walk to Chikurin Park, a hillside grove of about 2,000 moso bamboo with its own spring at the bottom of the slope.
Minamisawa Springs and Hikawa Shrine
Next, we visit the protected Minamisawa green area, where spring water comes out of the ground and runs as a small stream past Minamisawa Hikawa Shrine, the local guardian shrine. I will explain how the Musashino plateau stores rain and releases it here as spring water.
Along the Ochiai River
We follow the Ochiai River back toward the station. The water is clear enough to see the fish from the path, and herons, ducks and, with luck, a kingfisher feed here. In summer, local children play in the shallow river.
Option: Finish with a Hot Spring Soak
With the bath option, we take a short bus ride from Higashi-Kurume Station to Spadium Japon, one of the largest hot spring bath complexes in the Tokyo area. I will show you the bathing etiquette step by step, then you can relax in the open-air baths, carbonated baths and saunas. Towels and amenities are available on site.
This Tour is Perfect For
- Travelers who want to see a quiet, local side of Tokyo
- Nature lovers and photographers
- Families (walk-only option, all ages welcome)
- Anyone curious about Japanese bath culture (bath option)
