Check out Kinugawa from Chau Kwok Yin's song

When I first heard Chau Kwok Yin's song 'Kinugawa', I learned that it is a place in Japan. Taking advantage of a solo trip, I decided to include it in my itinerary.

Kinugawa was once a famous hot spring town, but during the economic bubble of the 1990s, the number of visitors to the hot springs sharply decreased, leading to the closure of many hot spring hotels and the abandonment of buildings.

Arriving in Kinugawa at night, I could feel its desolation. The streets were empty, the streetlights were dim, and the restaurants had closed early. Only the convenience store near the hot spring hotels was open. If you plan to stay overnight next time, I would recommend choosing a hotel that includes dinner, so you don't have to worry about where to eat.

The next morning presented a different scene, with beautiful and bright scenery. Although there were few tourists and many hot spring hotels had fallen into disrepair, the whole place gave me a very special feeling, with a mysterious and decadent beauty. Not far away, you can take a cable car to the observation deck for a panoramic view of Kinugawa.

📍Address: Ohara, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture

🚗 Transportation: Take the Tobu Nikko Line to 'Kinugawa Onsen Station'

Post by 小惈出走記 | Jan 19, 2025