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GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

Lover's Sanctuary and Onsen(hot spring) in Niigata Prefecture

Fujiko M.

by Fujiko M.

(30 reviews)
Last updated : Feb 24, 20233 min read

Couple

Senami Onsen in Murakami-city is famous for hot spring and "Lover's Sanctuary" on the beach.

 There are more than 100 Lover's Sanctuary in Japan, approved by an NGO to revitalize local ecomony and raise birth rate in Japan.

Among them, Lover's Sanctuary in Senami Onsen is perfectly located to propose to your destined partner in this beautiful scene!

Ring the bell together and you'll be happy ever after!

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Now, let's enjoy foot bath nearby.  Cute foxes( or dragons?) are welcoming you.

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 Please listen to the gushing sound of hot  water.

 About 10 minutes walk from the beach is the Funto Park, where the hot water gushes out from the ground.

Boiled eggs!!  We Japanese love "温泉卵”, because they are boiled in mineral-rich onsen water and eating them is good for our health. It took about 15 minutes to boil eggs and I visited a small shrine nearby... See you later, my eggs!

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 Wonderful view from the Iyahiko Shrine on top of a hill, overlooking Senami Onsen area.

 It was a bit scarely to go up this steep steps to reach the shrine but seeing this beautiful panoramic view made me feel happy!

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 A dragon is enshrined in this shrine. Legend has it that long long ago, there was a snake protecting this area.

One day it decided to be a dragon to potect here as  a god.  So it had to go through rigorous trainging without being seen by people.

Finally, the snake became a dragon god. Then after the lonely training, it wanted to interact with the locals.

So, it disguised as a fox to do so and has been protecting this area ever since.  The ringing sound of the bells resembles fox's bark.

It is said that you come here and ring these bells bring you happiness!

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 This time, I rang these bells for you!  Please listen to the different sounds. 

I hope these sounds usher you to Senami Onsen in the near future.

Almost always you can find shops selling "温泉饅頭”(sweet steamed cake) in any onsen towns.

Senami Onsen Tourist Information Office is located next to this shop.

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 Senami Onsen is easily accessible from Murakami station either by bus or taxi, about 10 minutes ride.Lover's Sanctuary and Onsen(hot spring) in Niigata Prefecture

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Fujiko M.

Fujiko M.

4.97 / 5
(30 reviews)

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Tours By Fujiko M.

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Niigata City one day tour of your choices

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Located on the Japan sea side of mainland Honshu, about 2 hours bullet train ride from Tokyo, Niigata city has been flourished as one of the major port towns for centuries. Along with this historical background, Niigata city is now well known for delicious "koshihikari" rice, varieties of tasty sake, fresh products from both land and sea. In this tour, you can choose 3 or 4 places to visit for 7-hour sightseeing tour. We mainly use public transportation networks like Niigata city loopline bus service ( one-day ticket JPY 500 ) and taxi if necessary. The places of choices are as follows: 1. Niigata City Aquarium "Marinepia Nihonkai" Displaying both marine and fresh water fish in the region and aquatic animals. Dolphin shows are performed daily. JPY 1500 Closed from Dec.29-Jan.1, Mar.3,4 2. Pia Bandai Fish and vegatable market with restaurants popular for locals and tourists. 3. "Imayotsukasa" sake brewery There is a guided tour and you can sample tasty sake. 4. The Niigata Saito Villa Built about 100 years ago, this gorgeous villa and Japanese style garden attracts visitors all year round. JPY 300 Closed on Mondays, from Dec.28-Jan.3 5. Minatopia with Former Niigata Customs House There are also Former Daishi Bank building and Niigata City History Museum by the Shinano River. 6. Former Ozawa Family Residence Authentic machiya-style house with beautiful garden from the Meiji Period. JPY 200 Closed on Mondays, from Dec.28-Jan.3 7. Honcho Market Located on the bustling Furumachi ( old town ) district, vendors sell all kinds of food with reasonable prices. * vendors are less on Sundays 8. Strolling Furumachi district for 1 hour Furumachi was once known as geigi (geisha) district like Kyoto and there are many restaurants, temples, old and new buildings in this area. * you can combine this choice with the Saito Villa or/and the Ozawa Residence (both in Furumachi district). Please choose places you'd like to visit and email me. Let's have fun in Niigata city!

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