A Walking Route to Ogon-no-Yu and Kawara-no-Yu in Tsubame Onsen

This is less a quick hop between two tubs than a short mountain walk with bathing stops. The route works best in stable weather, with daylight to spare and shoes that grip. If you are travelling by bus, the return departure should shape the outing; a missed connection is a much bigger cost than skipping the second bath.

The order depends on your group

Ogon-no-Yu is around a 10-minute walk from the Tsubame Onsen parking area. It has separate bathing areas for men and women. Kawara-no-Yu lies roughly 15 minutes away along a gorge-side route and is mixed bathing. A temporary bridge remains on the approach; the local tourism office recommends trainers or hiking shoes because the footing is poor.

For a group that wants a single-gender bath or a shorter walk, make Ogon-no-Yu the whole visit. Add Kawara-no-Yu only if everyone is comfortable with mixed bathing, the bridge route is open and conditions are dry enough for safe footing. A changing area does not make the latter gender-separated.

Check the season before making a route

Both baths are seasonal outdoor facilities, not year-round indoor sento. Ogon-no-Yu opened for the 2026 season on March 27; at that time the path still had deep snow and boots were required. Kawara-no-Yu reopened on June 30, 2026, and the opening notice warned visitors about rough footing. The dates describe this season’s notices, not a fixed annual opening calendar.

The regular visitor window is sunrise to sunset. Both baths close on Monday and Friday mornings for cleaning, and the Kawara-no-Yu listing says it typically closes during the winter snow season. Check Myoko Tourism’s latest notice for weather or maintenance changes before you walk in. In rain, strong wind, residual snow or fading light, one bath—or none—is the sensible call.

Give the return journey enough room

From Sekiyama Station, the Seki–Tsubame municipal bus takes you to Tsubame Onsen, but service is limited. Check the current timetable both ways before deciding whether a two-bath loop is realistic. By car, you can reach the Tsubame Onsen parking area, but you still need to walk to each bath; parking does not remove the trail section.

Keep the route flexible: visit Ogon-no-Yu first, then continue only if the path to Kawara-no-Yu is in good condition and the group is still comfortable. Leave time to retrace the trail and return before sunset. For a bath-by-bath comparison, see Ogon-no-Yu or Kawara-no-Yu. This route covers the walk and return connection.

Sources

- [Myoko Tourism: Ogon-no-Yu and current visitor information](https://myokotourism.jp/tourist-spots/%E9%BB%84%E9%87%91%E3%81%AE%E6%B9%AF/) - [Myoko Tourism: Ogon-no-Yu opened for the 2026 season](https://myokotourism.jp/news/%E7%87%95%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89%E3%80%8C%E9%BB%84%E9%87%91%E3%81%AE%E6%B9%AF%E3%80%8D%E3%82%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%97%E3%83%B3%E3%81%AE%E3%81%8A%E7%9F%A5%E3%82%89%E3%81%9B-2/) - [Myoko Tourism: Kawara-no-Yu](https://myokotourism.jp/tourist-spots/%E6%B2%B3%E5%8E%9F%E3%81%AE%E6%B9%AF/) - [Myoko Tourism: Kawara-no-Yu reopened June 30, 2026](https://myokotourism.jp/news/%E7%87%95%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89%E3%80%8C%E6%B2%B3%E5%8E%9F%E3%81%AE%E6%B9%AF%E3%80%8D%E7%B5%82%E4%BA%86/) - [Myoko City: Seki–Tsubame buses and current timetables](https://www.city.myoko.niigata.jp/docs/892.html) - Photo credits: [Myoko Tourism](https://myokotourism.jp/)

Checked: September 27, 2026

Tags: Niigata, Myoko, Tsubame Onsen, Ogon-no-Yu, Kawara-no-Yu, outdoor bath, walking route