“Hotels seen on side of fine stream”, Kinugawa Onsen District, Nikko, c. 1930. Discovered over 300 years ago, access to these hot springs were initially exclusive to monks and daimyo samurai. The springs became accessible to the general public during the Meiji period (1868-1912).

See also:
Kanaya Hotel, Nikko, c. 1920.
“Three Monkeys carving at Iyeyasu Temple”, Nikko, c. 1920.
Nikko, Japan, c. 1910.

The Kinugawa Onsen area itself has a storied past. Discovered over 300 years ago during the Edo period, its hot springs were initially reserved for monks and daimyo samurai visiting Nikko.

In the late 19th century, the springs were opened to the general public, marking the beginning of the area’s development as a spa resort. The mineral-rich waters, known for their therapeutic properties, attracted increasing numbers of visitors, leading to the establishment of various inns and ryokans in the district.

The 1970s marked a significant period of growth for Kinugawa Onsen, with extensive development transforming it into a bustling tourist destination. However, the economic downturn in the 1990s, exacerbated by issues with local financial institutions, led to challenges for the resort area.

Despite these setbacks, Kinugawa Onsen has been revitalizing its image and continues to be a popular destination for those seeking a traditional Japanese hot spring experience.

“Hot spring bathing pool”, Kinugawa Onsen Hotel, Nikko, c. 1930.

The Kinugawa Onsen Hotel in Nikko has a rich history intertwined with Japan’s broader cultural and economic developments. Its origins trace back to 1871 when Zenichiro Kanaya, a performer at the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, provided lodging to Dr. James Curtis Hepburn, an American missionary and linguist. This act of hospitality led to the establishment of the Cottage Inn, Japan’s first inn managed exclusively to accommodate foreign guests, which later evolved into the Nikko Kanaya Hotel.

In 1931, the Kanaya family expanded their hospitality ventures by opening the Kinugawa Onsen Hotel as a branch of the Nikko Kanaya Hotel, with Masanari Kanaya serving as its first general manager. The hotel has faced challenges, including a devastating fire in 1938, but it was rebuilt in 1940. Another fire in 1957 led to a complete reconstruction the following year. Over the decades, the hotel has undergone the occasional renovation to enhance its facilities and services.