Private Cottages with Open-Air Hot Spring Baths

Your Own Woodland Retreat by the River

Nestled in the mountains beside the scenic Shima River gorge, ShimaBlue offers private cottages, each with its own open-air hot spring bath. Soak in the renowned waters of Shima Onsen as you listen to the gentle sounds of the river.

Combining the luxury of a detached cottage with the relaxed spirit of the outdoors, ShimaBlue feels like your very own home in the forest, beyond the usual hotel or camping experience. Choose to dine in your cottage for even more privacy and the freedom to unwind at your own pace.

Cottages Beside the Gorge

Each of our seven cottages has an open-air bath fed by a continuous flow of natural hot spring water. Every cottage has its own design theme, with distinctive architecture, interiors, furnishings and layouts that make each stay a new discovery.

For groups of five or more, choose Island Blue or Apple Orange. For an accessible cottage, choose Brown Premium.

Open-Air Bathing in the Heart of the Forest

Each cottage has a different style of private open-air bath. Options include smooth hinoki cypress tubs, solid mortar tubs, a distinctive gourd-shaped tub with an exposed-aggregate finish, and round hinoki cypress tubs. Browse the cottage listings to find your favorite.

Choose a bath to suit your group and preferences, then settle in for a leisurely soak. Listen to the gentle flow of the river, breathe in the fresh forest air and immerse yourself in the woodland surroundings.



Choose your dinner from a variety of stay plans. Enjoy sukiyaki hot pot featuring Akagi beef, a premium beef brand from Gunma, or a barbecue surrounded by nature. We also offer a room-only plan, so you can bring your own ingredients and enjoy meals your way.

With the plans above, you dine in the privacy of your own cottage, so dress as you please and enjoy a relaxed meal.

Joshu Beef L-Bone Steak

Another popular plan takes you to the restaurant at our sister ryokan, Kanau, to enjoy a steak course at dinnertime.

An Authentic Löyly Sauna Experience

Set close to the gorge, Mori no Sauna (Forest Sauna) can be reserved for your exclusive use and offers an authentic löyly experience, where water is poured over hot stones to release waves of steam. There is also an outdoor cold plunge bath and an open-air relaxation deck overlooking Fusenkyo Gorge, a scenic stretch of the Shima River valley on the opposite bank.

Price
JPY 3,300 per person (tax included)

Session Times
Two hours per group
11:00–13:00 / 13:15–15:15 / 15:30–17:30 / 17:45–19:45

ShimaBlue Reception & Café

Set amid ShimaBlue's lush natural surroundings, our seven cottages fan out from the reception and café building. The front desk is located inside this building.

Enjoy drinks and light bites in our bright, airy seating area. We also recommend the upstairs seating, where large windows offer views across the ShimaBlue grounds.

Opening Hours
11:30–19:30 (last orders at 19:00)

Getting Here

Shima Onsen is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from Tokyo by train and connecting bus.

ShimaBlue, Shima Onsen

Address: 4355-9 Shima, Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma, Japan
Phone: +81-279-64-2155

By Train and Bus: Ueno Station → JR Kusatsu-Shima Limited Express (approx. 120 minutes) → Nakanojo Station → Local bus (approx. 30 minutes) → Shima Onsen bus stop
ShimaBlue is approximately a 12-minute walk from the Shima Onsen bus stop.

By Highway Bus: Tokyo Station → Shima Onsen Go highway bus (approx. 210 minutes) → Shima Onsen bus stop

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