Take in breathtaking sights that you can only find at Katayamazu, such as the nature on Lake Shibayama’s shores, Ukimi-do Hall – which looks like it’s floating on the lake, and a giant water fountain. On particularly clear days, you can even view the majestic sight of the sacred Mt. Haku! Feel the pleasant breeze and experience the full glory of nature with your whole body by riding on a pleasure cruise.

Katayamazu Hot Springs’ guardian deity – Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) – resides at this unique facility that uses a Shinden architectural style (originally for mansion-estates constructed in the Heian period). It was also built to distribute hot spring water to every lodging facility in the area.

This unusual enshrinement hall can be found on Lake Shibayama, connected to Yunomoto Park by a water bridge. When it lights up at night, a mysterious new world appears. It is dedicated to Benzaiten (the goddess of music) and Ryujin (the dragon king), who are part of a Katayamazu legend called “Ryujin and the Lady”. According to the folklore, there was once a serpent that troubled the villagers of Katayamazu. Taking the form of a young woman, Benzaiten used the power of her biwa (Japanese lute) to turn the serpent into a ryujin that would protect the village henceforth.

Located in the center of the hot spring village, Sunahase Park has an area of roughly 2,800㎡.This relaxing space has several things to offer, such as “Engawa” – a hot spring foot bathing area inside of a square gazebo, two ponds (big and small) that were sculpted in the image of Lake Shibayama, wood decks, and lawns.

As its name suggests, this park has two buildings that store hot spring water. There’s a wharf that faces Lake Shibayama, which is the departing and landing place for all of Katayamazu’s pleasure cruises. In the summer, this is where the “Uki Uki Yoi no Shi” festival takes place, making it the best place for a stroll while dressed in yukata!

This is a modern public bathing facility with full glass walls that enables people to view the enormity of Mt. Haku’s mountain range and Lake Shibayama.There are two baths: “Lagoon Hot Springs”, which will let you gaze at the surface of Lake Shibayama, and “Forest Hot Springs” that’s surrounded by greenery. Men and women take turns each day to enter these baths. From MACHI café on the second floor, you can enjoy dishes or desserts on their open terrace, which also grants you access to stunning views.

Back when there were geisha, this historical building was used as a practice hall for dancing and the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese lute). Fukusa, the teahouse on the first floor of this building, has a sunken hearth. Feel free to enjoy desserts like zenzai (rice dumplings in a sweet red bean soup), warabimochi (jelly-like mochi topped with roasted soybean powder), and shiratama anmitsu (Japanese-style sundae with rice dumplings). You can also take part in workshops that allow you to make tofu using hot spring water, or dye handkerchiefs using hot spring water and mud from Lake Shibayama.

Commonly called “Medicine Buddha”, Aizen-ji Temple has looked over the prosperity of Katayamazu Hot Springs for generations. Every nook and cranny of this temple holds traditional arts and crafts, but their “Wholehearted Ema” – unique ema (wooden plaques that you write wishes on) made to bless love and marriages that you can slot a wooden heart into – are particularly popular. Since it’s located at a high elevation, you can easily gaze upon the beauty of Lake Shibayama from its premises.

This science museum was made to commemorate Ukichiro Nakaya – the first scientist in the world to create artificial snow. At this museum, you can take part in activities like watching how snow is made through a microscope or making ice pendants. Guests can also relax and gaze at Lake Shibayama from the building's cafe, Winter Flower (Fuyu no Hana).

The most gruesome battle of the Genpei War was the Battle of Shinohara (1183). It’s said that the heroic ending of the retainer, Sanemori Saito, brought even Minamoto no Yoshinaka, the military commander, to tears. By the side of the pond where Sanemori’s head was washed stands a slab with a haiku written by Basho Matsuo: How tragic – under the helmet – a cricket (muzan ya na kabuto no shita no kirigirisu).