Yudanaka Onsen

Yudanaka Onsen in Nagano's Yamanouchi area has been drawing visitors since the seventh century, when a monk named Chiyu reportedly called these waters the source of longevity. The sodium chloride and sodium sulfate waters are said to relieve nerve pain, muscle soreness, and digestive complaints. Many of the area's ryokan open their baths to day visitors in the afternoon. The public bathhouse Kaede no Yu and a footbath near the station offer additional options. Within walking distance is a 25-meter bronze Kannon statue, one of the world's tallest freestanding bronze sculptures, with 33 smaller Kannon figures arranged in a miniature version of the Saigoku pilgrimage circuit.