History of Shibu Onsen
Shibu Onsen has been called Hirao Onsen Resort for a long time. It was originated in 1303 when two Rinzai sect priests from Tofukuji Temple in Kyoto traveled to Shibu Onsen where they lived in a thatched hut and preached the spas healing effect. The hut later became the current Onsenji Temple.
In 1556 the halls of the hut were reestablished by the Soto sect. Takeda Shingen, a powerful figure of the time, converted to the sect and soothed the battle wounds of his men at the spa. The area soon shaped itself into a hot spring town, and in the Edo period (1600 - 1868) the spas were used as a relaxation resort by the samurai warriors of the Sanada clan. Soon the town attracted crowds of visitors.
Poet Kobayashi Issa often passed through the town and wrote several famous poems.
Pictures from the past and present
Shibu Onsen street and on the right side corner of Kokuya hotel.
One of the Public baths.
Shibu Onsen has been called Hirao Onsen Resort for a long time. It was originated in 1303 when two Rinzai sect priests from Tofukuji Temple in Kyoto traveled to Shibu Onsen where they lived in a thatched hut and preached the spas healing effect. The hut later became the current Onsenji Temple.In 1556 the halls of the hut were reestablished by the Soto sect. Takeda Shingen, a powerful figure of the time, converted to the sect and soothed the battle wounds of his men at the spa. The area soon shaped itself into a hot spring town, and in the Edo period (1600 - 1868) the spas were used as a relaxation resort by the samurai warriors of the Sanada clan. Soon the town attracted crowds of visitors.
Poet Kobayashi Issa often passed through the town and wrote several famous poems.
Pictures from the past and present
Shibu Onsen street and on the right side corner of Kokuya hotel.
One of the Public baths.
Lookout on Shibu Onsen area.