Things to do in Atsugi and Nanasawa Onsen
When people think of “Onsen,” it usually brings to mind a dusty hot springs town way out in the boonies, containing a smattering of old B&Bs, a corner store, and a train or bus that arrives every two or three hours at best. However, even within Kanto you can find places in nature that are suitably far from the bright lights and big cities, while still being convenient enough to see in a day. Such is the case with Atsugi and Nanasawa Onsen. Nanasawa Onsen is directly accessible by bus from Hon Atsugi station on the Odakyu Line, only a 45 minute ride from Shinjuku!
Learn about Forest Therapy in Atsugi
So, what is forest therapy? It’s not just a walk in the park! There are currently about 60 registered forest therapy sites in all of Japan. Many of these are way out in the rural countryside, but Nanasawa Forest Park in Atsugi is located conveniently located close to Tokyo and Yokohama. Forest Therapy, or “Shinrin-yoku” in Japanese, emerged as a field of serious medical research in the 1980s. This was a time when, due to the surging Japanese economy, urbanization had been increasing at a rapid rate, and many people were struggling to cope with this fast-paced lifestyle and demanding work culture. Researchers determined that spending at least an hour or two every week in a forest, located sufficiently away from factories, the sounds of traffic, and the sight of power lines made people significantly less stressed. Forest therapy as a discipline has grown, and there are now forest therapy sites in Europe and the United States.
The Nanasawa Forest Park is great for camping, athletic training, or just a day chilling out in nature. The point of forest therapy is not exerting yourself on a tough trail or losing calories, but to experience nature using all of your five senses. This is because many of us spend too much time relying on our vision throughout the day, such as endless hours spent staring at a computer or smartphone. Not only does this make our eyes tired, but it deadens our other senses. As for things you can see here, the park has many varieties of flowers including beautiful rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and sakura blossoms in spring. There is also an outdoor stage for musical performances, and a ceramic and woodworking studio.
Enjoy a hot spring and cold local beer
Lately, Japan’s craft beer industry has been growing by leaps and bounds. Nearby Nanasawa Onsen is the local Koganei Sake Brewery, who have been brewing sake since the 19th century, and more recently, beer. You can visit the brewery on weekdays, and with a reservation, go on a tour with a tasting! Learn all about the brewery’s 200 year history and their famous Sakarimasu Sake, shochu, craft gin, and of course, Sagami Beer. You can buy some of these varieties at the brewery and bring them back as souvenirs.
Nanasawa Onsen is well known as a medicinal hot spring. There are about 8 different hot spring inns in Nanasawa, some of them going back to the Meiji era in the 19th century! Nanasawasou in particular was voted among the top 100 hot springs in Japan.
German festivities in Atsugi
Outside of Nanasawa, Atsugi is noted for their large Oktoberfest celebration every year. It feels a little like a time warp to a real German festival! There are many food stalls selling currywurst, German-style potatoes and more, with a selection of real German beer you are not likely to find anywhere else nearby! Don’t be put off by the price; in order to ensure that people return the glasses, they ask for a large deposit up front, and you will have half the price reimbursed upon return. Join the crowd in celebration with traditional German drinking songs and live polka music!
How to access:
From Shinjuku, take the Odakyu Odawara line train heading for Hon Atsugi, then transfer to the nearby bus center. Buses bound directly for Nanasawa will take you right to the entrance of the park, or take a 5-10 minute walk from the Kanagawa Rehabilitation Center.
