20 Springs to Drink from in the Kanto Area

1. Yamizogawa River

Tokugawa Mitsukuni calls this place Gosui, which means "where 5 springs meet". This water source is located right in the middle of a luscious forest, and the 5 springs are named;  Kinsensui, Ryumosui, Hakumosui, Ghinshosui, and Testuisui. Kinsensui and Ryumosui spring forth more water than the other wells, and are more popular. The 5 springs together form the Yamizogawa River, and the river is one of the top 100 most famous rivers in the whole archipelago.    

HP: 管理元　www.town.daigo.ibaraki.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Mount Yamizo, Kaminomiya, Daigo, Kuji District, Ibaraki (Google Map)

2. Izumigamoriyusui (Also known as Itoyonosato Izumigamorikoen)

Hitachino Kuni Fudoki, one of the many literatures that date back to the Nara period, talks about a spring that has flown for more than 1000 years. The water here is clear, and you can watch three-spined sticklebacks swimming in and out of the river moss. It's no wonder that this area is selected as one of the top most beautiful springs in Japan.  

HP: 管理元　www.city.hitachi.lg.jp/park/page/p002552.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Hitachi City, Ibaraki (Google Map)

3. Benten Ike Pond, Izuru

Somewhere in Izuru, there is a spring right in Benten Ike Pond. About 2400 tonnes of water flow out from the spring, at 16℃, the whole year round. The water here is so clear that you can see the bottom of the pond. It is also rich in calcium due to the limestone rocks in the area. This is also another area that has been selected as Japan's top 100 most beautiful springs.

HP: www.sano-kankokk.jp/tour_guide/atrct/tg_atrct_008.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 1117 Izuruharacho, Sano, Tochigi (Google Map)

4. Shojinzawa 

This rich heartland here is also another top 100 winner. It holds probably the highest amount of spring water in the whole county with about 65000 tonnes of water daily. The water here flows at 11℃ throughout the seasons, and the forest is rich in green. The scenery here is simply magical. 

HP: www.town.shioya.tochigi.jp/forms/info/info.aspx?info_id=8968 (Japanese Only)

Address: Kamiterashima, Shioya, Shioya District, Tochigi (Google Map)

5. Ogawa Channel

Although this may not be considered as a natural water channel, but nobody really knows when or who created this man-made irrigation channel to pull water out from the Ogawa River. The channel  is made from 3 big rock slabs at 6m long, and 1m wide in total. The architecture is amazing as the structure smoothly irrigates water without a single leak. The water from the channel is no longer used for daily chores anymore as it was in the good old days, but it is still maintained as an important cultural aspect of the town, and has won many awards. 

HP: www.town.kanra.gunma.jp/kyouiku/bunkazai/bunkazai/kanra/38.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Obata, Kanra, Kanra District, Gunma (Google Map)

6. Hakoshima Spring

This water source springs from beneath the rocks right next to a 400 year old Japanese cedar, and provides 30,000 tonnes of water every day. It is said that the stream here flows right to Lake Haruna. In summer from June to July, many come here for the fireflies. 

HP: www1.town.higashiagatsuma.gunma.jp/www/kankou/contents/1204109954259/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Hakoshima, Higashiagatsuma, Agatsuma District, Gunma (Google Map)

7. Kanagawagenryu

A lot of effort is put into conserving this river as it is recognized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as the most beautiful river in the whole of Kanto area. The river is still used as a source of water by the community. Plus, when the weather is fine,  you'll see a lot of people coming here to fish. It is one of the top 100 most famous rivers in the country. 

HP: www.vill.ueno.gunma.jp/kanko/fishing/midokoro.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Ueno, Tano District, Gunma (Google Map)

8. Katashina Spring, Oze Marshlands

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Among the Oze Marshlands, and Katashina area, lies a range of mountains that are 2000m high. The mountains become the source of this spring with the collected snow, and rain water over the years. The nearby villages pump the water out from here to use, and it is still pumped to water their fields to this very day. The produce from the fields are said to be really sweet and yummy. 

HP: www.vill.katashina.gunma.jp/meisui-rev/index-intro.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Katashina, Tone District, Gunma (Google Map)

9. Otaka-no-michi Path, Masugata-no-ike Pond

Little did many know that there is a rich abundant spring right here in Tokyo. The scenery here is beautiful with many colorful flora. This stream here connects to a lake. Coming here would make you forget that you are in one of the world's busiest metropolitan. The water here is clear but it is not recommended for you to drink it directly. 

HP: www.city.kokubunji.tokyo.jp/shisetsu/kouen/1005195/1004229.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Nishimotomachi, Kokubunji, Tokyo (Google Map)

10. Mitake

The mountains roll at Okutama where the Tamagawa River flows through the Mitake Valley. Many come here during spring, and autumn to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The water here is really famous for its quality, and so it shouldn't be surprising to see the well-known Sawanoi distillery here that produces one of the nation's best Japanese wines. 

HP: coco.mitake.in/mitake/mitake-sanpo/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Mitakehoncho, Ome, Tokyo (Google Map)

11. Ochiai River, and Minamisawa Springs

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The forest here is blessed with clear beautiful water. There is a bamboo garden, Hikawa Shrine, and a vast park. This area serves as a habitat for all sorts of insects, and water creatures like the pond loach. This would make a great getaway from the hectic metropolitan without having to travel far and wide.  

HP: www.city.higashikurume.lg.jp/shisei/profile/midokoro/1000080.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 3-3-1 Honcho, Higashikurume, Tokyo (Google Map)

12. Springs of Hadano Basin

In the west part of Kanagawa, lies the Hadano Basin, and there are natural springs right here. This area is blessed with many springs, and the 2 most famous ones are the Kobo-no-Shimizu in front of the train station here, and the Gomayashiki-no-Mizu along Tanazawa's hiking route. The water here is well known for its health benefits, and the locals here are proud of it. Hence, many local tourists would come here to have a taste of the water. 

HP: www.city.hadano.kanagawa.jp/kanko/meisui.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Hadano City, Kanagawa (Google Map)

13. Shasui Falls, Takisawa River 

This area has won many recognitions, and awards. It is famous in the Kanto area for its scenery, and its fresh clear water. Once you arrive at the train station, there is a hiking route that will lead you to the falls. It's going to be a hike that will bring you closer to mother nature. 

HP: www.town.yamakita.kanagawa.jp/contents_detail.php?frmId=198 (Japanese Only)

Address: Hirayama, Yamakita, Ashigarakami District, Kanagawa (Google Map)

14. Seizaemon Spring

Seizaemon Spring or also fondly known as Seizaemon Hell is also in the top 100 list. There are many natural springs, and flowing wells at the foot of Mount Fuji, near Hakone. This area here gets about 13,000 tonnes of water from below the ground every day! The water here is used by the community for daily chores, and by major corporations for their factory operations like Fujifilm. 。

HP: www.city.minamiashigara.kanagawa.jp/kurashi/gomi/kankyou/meisuinomachi/1343_1502.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa (Google Map)

15. Fuppugawa, Yamatomizu

About 10 to 70 tonnes of water flow from this rock spring that is supplied by rain waters that fall on Mount Kamafuse, Nagatoro Valley. The cold fresh water is carefully carried through a water pipe for visitors to try even without having to hike up the mountain. It is one of the many beautiful springs that is part of Japan's top 100 springs.

HP: www.town.yorii.saitama.jp/map/fupugawa-map.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Fupu, Yorii, Osato District, Saitama (Google Map)

16. Myo-onzawa

Along the Kurome River, right in the middle of green luscious foliage, a spring flows down a steep slope. It's a habitat rich with Japanese Freshwater Crabs, Megaloptera moths, Katakuri flowers, Anemones, and many other flora, and fauna. It is undeniably worthy of its place in the top 100 list. 

HP: www.niiza.net/midokoro/sonota/myouonsawa/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Niiza, Saitama (Google Map)

17. Bishamon

Mount Shiroishi in Ogano has the famous Bishamon Spring. The water here is rich in calcium, and minerals as the mountains here are rich in charcoal. Many come from afar to try the water here. The community here is proud of their water, and has elected an official organization that manages the water, and its sanitation. 

HP: www.chichibu-enavi.jp/contents/105/index_04.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Ogano, Chichibu District, Saitama (Google Map)

18. Mount Buko's Fuku Ryusui

High quality alcohol needs fresh water, and that probably explains why there is a distillery here. In fact, within the distillery itself, there are two water systems to pump the fresh water into the distillery. Visitors can come visit the factory with bottles to fill with the water to bring home. This famous spring here indeed carries an important role as not only the distillery here uses it but also the community here takes advantage of it for daily chores, and the shrines for their many rituals. . 

HP: www.bukou.co.jp/history/history/heiseimizu100/heiseimizu100.htm (Japanese Only)

Address: Miyakawacho, Chichibu, Saitama (Google Map)

19. Yuya no Shimizu

At the foot of a slope here that is surrounded by a lot of beautiful green, lies a spring that flows into a nearby 10-m circumference pond, and then later meets Ichinomiya River which flows to the big Pacific Ocean. There was a time when the water was found to contain a lot of bacteria, and the people were advised to boil the water first before using it. But after much effort, the water is back to its clean natural state, so the people here can use it as it is.  

HP: www.town.chonan.chiba.jp/shoukai/kankou/511/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Satsubo, Chonan, Chosei District, Chiba (Google Map)

20. Ikitamizu, Kururi

The spring here at Kururi is from the rainwaters that fall upon Mount Kiyosumi, and Mount Mitsuishi. There are about 7 wells here that supply the community with water every day. The water is delicious, and refreshing. That's probably why the locals call it Ikitamizu which in Japanese means "living water". Many really do come here to taste the water. 

HP: www.city-kimitsu.jp/kanko/spot/manabu/ido-kururi.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Kururi Ichiba, Kimitsu, Chiba (Google Map)