Kurokawa Onsen is one of the most attractive hot spring towns and prized gems in Japan. Located in the middle of Kyushu about 20 kilometres north of Mount Aso, it offers a wide variety of hot springs baths. The larger and more spacious baths that offer more spectacular views are generally located a little bit outside of the town centre, while some of the more central ryokan attract with smaller but historic baths that were already enjoyed by the feudal lords of nearby Kumamoto Castle.
Natural colours and materials, wooden buildings, earthen walls, stone stairs, a river flowing through and bridges that lead over the river directly to ryokan entrances dominate Kurokawa’s townscape. The town centre, located in a forested valley, is compact and easily explored on foot, therefore a walk in yukata and geta sandals through the town can be particularly enjoyable. more
Natural colours and materials, wooden buildings, earthen walls, stone stairs, a river flowing through and bridges that lead over the river directly to ryokan entrances dominate Kurokawa’s townscape. The town centre, located in a forested valley, is compact and easily explored on foot, therefore a walk in yukata and geta sandals through the town can be particularly enjoyable. more
Only a few ryokan are located less centrally and require walking on larger distances to reach them. Some of the ryokan are located right besides the gushing river and have outstanding outdoor baths (rotenburo).
Yamamizuki offers its visitors impressive gender separated outdoor baths with a stunning view of the riverside flanked by the mountains. The outdoor baths of Yamamizuki are some of the best riverside baths in Japan, providing you the luxury of being one with nature while enjoying the beautiful natural mountain stream and the sound of the water trickling through the mountains. There are also some nice indoor baths here. All the pools are gender separated, so that you can feel more comfortable while soaking in the hot springs.
Iyashi no Sato Kiyashiki is a hot spring establishment located on a hilltop on the outskirts of town and was founded in 1989. The ryokan offers a large variety of pools including wooden tubs, indoor baths, standing baths and a large outdoor bath surrounded by thick foliage. All the facilities are gender separated except for the large outdoor bath.
Other important places with outdoor baths in Kurokawa are: Hozantei offering an outstanding riverside bath, Kurokawaso featuring a huge outdoor bath surrounded by trees, Oku no Yu with a large mixed outdoor bath, a small outdoor bath for women located just next to the river and a mixed small cave bath, Yamabiko Ryokan offering two gender separated outdoor baths surrounded by rocks and plants and Sato no Yu Waraku with two gender separated outdoor baths and a unique rock cave bath built with huge rocks.
While the guests staying at the ryokan can naturally enjoy their own ryokan’s baths as often as they wish, the overnight visitors and the day-trippers also have the possibility to explore any other bath in town during daytime and engage in the so-called Rotenburo Meguri or “Tour of Outdoor Baths”. For this purpose, you can purchase a wooden pass (tegata) providing admission to the baths of three different ryokan of your choice.
Yamamizuki offers its visitors impressive gender separated outdoor baths with a stunning view of the riverside flanked by the mountains. The outdoor baths of Yamamizuki are some of the best riverside baths in Japan, providing you the luxury of being one with nature while enjoying the beautiful natural mountain stream and the sound of the water trickling through the mountains. There are also some nice indoor baths here. All the pools are gender separated, so that you can feel more comfortable while soaking in the hot springs.
Iyashi no Sato Kiyashiki is a hot spring establishment located on a hilltop on the outskirts of town and was founded in 1989. The ryokan offers a large variety of pools including wooden tubs, indoor baths, standing baths and a large outdoor bath surrounded by thick foliage. All the facilities are gender separated except for the large outdoor bath.
Other important places with outdoor baths in Kurokawa are: Hozantei offering an outstanding riverside bath, Kurokawaso featuring a huge outdoor bath surrounded by trees, Oku no Yu with a large mixed outdoor bath, a small outdoor bath for women located just next to the river and a mixed small cave bath, Yamabiko Ryokan offering two gender separated outdoor baths surrounded by rocks and plants and Sato no Yu Waraku with two gender separated outdoor baths and a unique rock cave bath built with huge rocks.
While the guests staying at the ryokan can naturally enjoy their own ryokan’s baths as often as they wish, the overnight visitors and the day-trippers also have the possibility to explore any other bath in town during daytime and engage in the so-called Rotenburo Meguri or “Tour of Outdoor Baths”. For this purpose, you can purchase a wooden pass (tegata) providing admission to the baths of three different ryokan of your choice.
Beppu Onsen is one of the most popular hot spring areas in Japan with the greatest volume of water discharge and the largest number of spring sources in the country. Statistics from the Beppu City Hall show that more than 130,000 tons of hot spring water gushes from the ground each day. Beppu city is blessed with as many as eight major hot spring areas known as “Beppu Hatto”, such as Kannawa Onsen, Beppu Onsen, Myoban Onsen, Kankaiji Onsen, Hamawaki Onsen, Kamegawa Onsen, Horita Onsen and Shibaseki Onsen, each of them featuring public baths and ryokan with different spring qualities and medicinal benefits.
Beppu Onsen not only is abundant in thermal waters, but also has a wide range of bath types including sand baths where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand, more
Beppu Onsen not only is abundant in thermal waters, but also has a wide range of bath types including sand baths where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand, more
steam baths, which are heated by the steam of a hot spring and mud baths that are basically muddy hot water baths. Steam comes out from everywhere, creating a unique atmosphere that you should see.
Each area had flourished as an individual resort primarily and some areas have a long history tracing back to the 9th century. Each zone has ryokans, as well as external onsen facilities and ryokan guests can visit several different spas while staying at a single ryokan. Many ryokans located near the sea have open-air baths that command a splendid ocean view.
Located along a mountain stream, Shibaseki Onsen is a picturesque and quiet onsen area noted for its hot steam bath. It has a history tracing back to 895 when it is said that the Emperor Daigo, and later in 1044 the Emperor Goreisen, visited the area to soak in the therapeutic waters. Its name Shibaseki was derived from the fossil firewood (Shiba) found there in the Edo Period. Municipal Shibaseki Hot Spring was reopened as Fureai-Yasuragi (heart-warming) Hot Spring in April 1997 with two baths of different temperature, an outdoor bath, a steam bath and a newly-built family bath and is currently designated a National Health Onsen Resort.
Another onsen that is known for steam baths is Kannawa Onsen. With many jets of white steam rising from gushing hot springs, this area is a must-see attraction for Beppu visitors. The area around the steam bath has become the heart of Kannawa and has flourished with many public baths, ryokan and souvenir shops lined along the narrow and winding streets. Kannawa Onsen was designated a National Health Hot Spring Resort.
Kamegawa Onsen area is much enjoyed for its rustic scenery. Beppu Kaihin Sunayu is known for its open-air sand bath found near Beppu city’s seashore, on the waterfront in Shoningahama Park. Beppu Beach Sand Bath, one of the most popular of Beppu, is heated by geothermal hot spring water seeping out of the earth. After you change into a yukata and lay down on the warm sand, the personnel called sunakake-san (sand “sprinklers”) will sprinkle sand to cover your body. After this procedure, your mind and body will be refreshed and fatigue and muscle pain will go away.
Beppu Onsen is the most popular area including substantial hot spring facilities. Takegawara Hot Spring, the symbol of Beppu Onsen, offers a retro atmosphere, the typical hot spring and a sand bath experience all in one place. The typical bath is located on the right side of the first floor, opposite the sand bath. There is a small changing area before you descend a set of stairs leading to the bath.
Located in Myoban district on the hill facing Beppu Bay, Myoban Onsen is a small and quiet mountain resort where you can enjoy a mud bath or a bluish milky water bath accompanied by a distinctive sulphuric odour. The complex also features shops and huts for the production of yunohana (sulphuric powder) and you will be able to see the thick smoke rising from the straw-thatched huts called Yunohana-goya. Alike Shibaseki and Kannawa, Myoban Onsen was designated a National Health Hot Spring Resort.
Other important hot spring areas are: Hamawaki Onsen (the birthplace of Beppu Onsen), Kankaiji Onsen (having the finest endowments of nature among the eight hot springs) and Horita Onsen (a rustic hot-spring resort with soothing waters appreciated since the Edo Period).
Each area had flourished as an individual resort primarily and some areas have a long history tracing back to the 9th century. Each zone has ryokans, as well as external onsen facilities and ryokan guests can visit several different spas while staying at a single ryokan. Many ryokans located near the sea have open-air baths that command a splendid ocean view.
Located along a mountain stream, Shibaseki Onsen is a picturesque and quiet onsen area noted for its hot steam bath. It has a history tracing back to 895 when it is said that the Emperor Daigo, and later in 1044 the Emperor Goreisen, visited the area to soak in the therapeutic waters. Its name Shibaseki was derived from the fossil firewood (Shiba) found there in the Edo Period. Municipal Shibaseki Hot Spring was reopened as Fureai-Yasuragi (heart-warming) Hot Spring in April 1997 with two baths of different temperature, an outdoor bath, a steam bath and a newly-built family bath and is currently designated a National Health Onsen Resort.
Another onsen that is known for steam baths is Kannawa Onsen. With many jets of white steam rising from gushing hot springs, this area is a must-see attraction for Beppu visitors. The area around the steam bath has become the heart of Kannawa and has flourished with many public baths, ryokan and souvenir shops lined along the narrow and winding streets. Kannawa Onsen was designated a National Health Hot Spring Resort.
Kamegawa Onsen area is much enjoyed for its rustic scenery. Beppu Kaihin Sunayu is known for its open-air sand bath found near Beppu city’s seashore, on the waterfront in Shoningahama Park. Beppu Beach Sand Bath, one of the most popular of Beppu, is heated by geothermal hot spring water seeping out of the earth. After you change into a yukata and lay down on the warm sand, the personnel called sunakake-san (sand “sprinklers”) will sprinkle sand to cover your body. After this procedure, your mind and body will be refreshed and fatigue and muscle pain will go away.
Beppu Onsen is the most popular area including substantial hot spring facilities. Takegawara Hot Spring, the symbol of Beppu Onsen, offers a retro atmosphere, the typical hot spring and a sand bath experience all in one place. The typical bath is located on the right side of the first floor, opposite the sand bath. There is a small changing area before you descend a set of stairs leading to the bath.
Located in Myoban district on the hill facing Beppu Bay, Myoban Onsen is a small and quiet mountain resort where you can enjoy a mud bath or a bluish milky water bath accompanied by a distinctive sulphuric odour. The complex also features shops and huts for the production of yunohana (sulphuric powder) and you will be able to see the thick smoke rising from the straw-thatched huts called Yunohana-goya. Alike Shibaseki and Kannawa, Myoban Onsen was designated a National Health Hot Spring Resort.
Other important hot spring areas are: Hamawaki Onsen (the birthplace of Beppu Onsen), Kankaiji Onsen (having the finest endowments of nature among the eight hot springs) and Horita Onsen (a rustic hot-spring resort with soothing waters appreciated since the Edo Period).
Yufuin Onsen resort is located in Oita Prefecture just ten kilometres from Beppu Onsen. It offers a fantastic selection of hot spring baths, museums, cafés and boutiques and a spectacular scenery. Every year, in August, the Yufuin Film Festival, Japan’s oldest film festival to date, going back to the 1970s, is held in the onsen town.
Yufuin stands on a flat river basin surrounded by mountains and the most prominent feature of the area is the twin peaked Mount Yufu, a 1,583.3 m volcano. Another natural landmark of Yufuin is Lake Kinrinko, located about 1.5 kilometres away from Yufuin Station, at the end of the main walking route of the town. The lake is surrounded by walking paths and there is a small shrine located at its southern end. There are also a few public bath houses, one of which, the Shitanyu, more
Yufuin stands on a flat river basin surrounded by mountains and the most prominent feature of the area is the twin peaked Mount Yufu, a 1,583.3 m volcano. Another natural landmark of Yufuin is Lake Kinrinko, located about 1.5 kilometres away from Yufuin Station, at the end of the main walking route of the town. The lake is surrounded by walking paths and there is a small shrine located at its southern end. There are also a few public bath houses, one of which, the Shitanyu, more
is an old-fashioned public bath house and can be used by tourists. It has two pools and is gender mixed without dedicated changing rooms and very limited facilities.
There is a large number of ryokan and hotels with hot spring baths, some of which open their baths to day- trippers. The spring waters of Yufuin Onsen are mainly clear simple hot springs. However, there are some blue-coloured springs, that are said to have a natural moisturizing effect on the skin. Such springs can be enjoyed at Tsuka no Ma (formerly known as Shoya no Yakata) ryokan located on a hillside in the northern part of Yufuin. The ryokan has large, gender separated outdoor baths with blueish-looking water and you will be able to see large steam clouds rising into the air from the hot spring sources. The baths are also accessible to non-staying visitors and are very popular among those interested in beauty care.
Another impressive ryokan in the area is Musoen. It is located on a hill in the southern part of Yufuin Basin and offers a magnificent panoramic view of Mt. Yufu and Yufuin Basin. A little out of town (about 20 minutes on foot from the station), this ryokan has large gender separated outdoor baths with exceptionally clear waters. Private “family” baths are also available at the onsen ryokan.
The twin peaks of Mount Yufu are also visible on clear days from the outdoor baths of Baien ryokan located slightly above the town to the south. It has large attractive outdoor baths and gender separated facilities.
Some of the most accessible baths to tourists without private means of transportation are offered by Sansuikan ryokan. It is located just a short walk (about 8 minutes) from Yufuin Station and offers large separated bathing facilities featuring outdoor and indoor pools, a scented bath and a sauna.
There is a large number of ryokan and hotels with hot spring baths, some of which open their baths to day- trippers. The spring waters of Yufuin Onsen are mainly clear simple hot springs. However, there are some blue-coloured springs, that are said to have a natural moisturizing effect on the skin. Such springs can be enjoyed at Tsuka no Ma (formerly known as Shoya no Yakata) ryokan located on a hillside in the northern part of Yufuin. The ryokan has large, gender separated outdoor baths with blueish-looking water and you will be able to see large steam clouds rising into the air from the hot spring sources. The baths are also accessible to non-staying visitors and are very popular among those interested in beauty care.
Another impressive ryokan in the area is Musoen. It is located on a hill in the southern part of Yufuin Basin and offers a magnificent panoramic view of Mt. Yufu and Yufuin Basin. A little out of town (about 20 minutes on foot from the station), this ryokan has large gender separated outdoor baths with exceptionally clear waters. Private “family” baths are also available at the onsen ryokan.
The twin peaks of Mount Yufu are also visible on clear days from the outdoor baths of Baien ryokan located slightly above the town to the south. It has large attractive outdoor baths and gender separated facilities.
Some of the most accessible baths to tourists without private means of transportation are offered by Sansuikan ryokan. It is located just a short walk (about 8 minutes) from Yufuin Station and offers large separated bathing facilities featuring outdoor and indoor pools, a scented bath and a sauna.
Located on the lower slopes of the Kirishima Mountains, Kirishima Onsen is one of the leading hot spring resorts in Japan. It offers a distant view over Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima and has high quality, sulphuric hot spring waters and an interesting variety of outstanding bath facilities. Kirishima Onsen covers a rather wide area comprising over a dozen separate hot springs. The visitors can enjoy the thermal waters by staying at one of the local ryokan or visiting a public bath. The non-staying guests can access the bathing facilities of the ryokan that open their bathing facilities to day-trippers.
Some of Kirishima Onsen’s best baths can be found at Kirishima hotel, Shinmoeso inn, Sakura Sakura public bath house and Ryokojin Sanso ryokan.
Located in a huge covered hall, more
Some of Kirishima Onsen’s best baths can be found at Kirishima hotel, Shinmoeso inn, Sakura Sakura public bath house and Ryokojin Sanso ryokan.
Located in a huge covered hall, more
Kirishima hotel has diverse bath facilities featuring a spacious pool with a tall water fountain and some smaller pools around it. There are baths for women, men and unisex. An interesting fact is that the garden large public bath in the unisex area is for women-only from 19:30 to 22:00.
Shinyu Onsen - Shinmoeso offers simple but very atmospheric hot springs with pipes all over the place. There is a mixed outdoor pool and several small gender separated indoor pools with excellent sulphuric waters. Besides the baths, Shinmoeso inn provides simple Japanese-style rooms, dinner and breakfast for overnight staying guests.
Sakura Sakura is a remarkable public bathhouse with attached ryokan offering gender separated medium sized indoor and outdoor pools with sulphuric and mildly acidic water. It is said to be beneficial for the skin and to help relieve nerve pain, stiff shoulders and fatigue. A unique attraction of this place is the slightly radioactive mud, transported in from a nearby hot spring source, which soakers can apply to their skin for a few minutes for skin health and beauty before washing it off in the pool. The beneficial ingredients in the mud will leave the skin silky, radiant and soft.
The views of Kinko Bay and Sakurajima volcano in the distance from the outdoor pool are the main attraction of Ryokojin Sanso ryokan. Located on a quiet hill of a highland, the ryokan offers you the possibility to enjoy an open-air bath surrounded by wild nature and the only sounds you will hear are those of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the wind.
Shinyu Onsen - Shinmoeso offers simple but very atmospheric hot springs with pipes all over the place. There is a mixed outdoor pool and several small gender separated indoor pools with excellent sulphuric waters. Besides the baths, Shinmoeso inn provides simple Japanese-style rooms, dinner and breakfast for overnight staying guests.
Sakura Sakura is a remarkable public bathhouse with attached ryokan offering gender separated medium sized indoor and outdoor pools with sulphuric and mildly acidic water. It is said to be beneficial for the skin and to help relieve nerve pain, stiff shoulders and fatigue. A unique attraction of this place is the slightly radioactive mud, transported in from a nearby hot spring source, which soakers can apply to their skin for a few minutes for skin health and beauty before washing it off in the pool. The beneficial ingredients in the mud will leave the skin silky, radiant and soft.
The views of Kinko Bay and Sakurajima volcano in the distance from the outdoor pool are the main attraction of Ryokojin Sanso ryokan. Located on a quiet hill of a highland, the ryokan offers you the possibility to enjoy an open-air bath surrounded by wild nature and the only sounds you will hear are those of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the wind.
Unzen Onsen is a hot spring resort town located on Shimabara Peninsula not far from Nagasaki, near the peak of Mount Unzen. The resort was one of the first to open for people from all over the world and is still widely popular. On several sides, it is surrounded by hot spring fields also known as the Hells of Unzen or Unzen Jigoku in Japanese. These barren rocky areas are easily recognizable for their steam vents and gushing hot springs from which milky, acidic and sulphur water bubbles straight up out of the ground. The sulphur-based spring water is well-known for its effective sterilization power, making this onsen a great place to cure eczema, heal cuts and nourish the skin. It also has a great effect on chronic rheumatism and neuralgia, and can help relieve stress and fatigue in no time.
hot spring pools and mud holes allowing you to view the sizzling beds of rock up close. A popular trail for those who want to get a good workout before relaxing in the baths is the Ikenohara-Nita Pass Trail (Ikenohara-Nitatoge Tozando).This zigzagging trail is located near the Unzen Golf Course and will take most less than an hour ending at a parking lot for the Unzen Ropeway. The ropeway leads up to Mt. Myokendake (1,333 metres) in about 3 minutes from where you can see the five mountains and three peaks that make up Mt. Unzen.
There are hotels and ryokan in the town that have their own baths for staying guests and several public hot spring baths around Unzen Onsen where the day-trippers can try out the hot spring waters. The traditional public baths including Shin-yu, Furuyu and Kojigoku are very much enjoyed by people in this town. Kojigoku Onsen is a small public bathhouse nestled in the forest and can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot from the town centre. It has two beautiful rustic stone baths and massaging waterfalls in each gender separated area. Behind Kojigoku hot spring, there is another small heart-shaped spring bath, famous for being a source of gushing love. The relaxing atmosphere of the baths will surely make you forget the time, while the hot spring water will leave your skin healthy, soft and beautiful.
One of the hotels in the area offering its baths for day-trippers is Azumaen. It has a large bath with a wading pool, an outdoor bath, and a cypress wind bath with sauna. While lounging in the hot waters you will enjoy an amazing view of the duck pond and the mountain scenery of Unzen.
There are hotels and ryokan in the town that have their own baths for staying guests and several public hot spring baths around Unzen Onsen where the day-trippers can try out the hot spring waters. The traditional public baths including Shin-yu, Furuyu and Kojigoku are very much enjoyed by people in this town. Kojigoku Onsen is a small public bathhouse nestled in the forest and can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot from the town centre. It has two beautiful rustic stone baths and massaging waterfalls in each gender separated area. Behind Kojigoku hot spring, there is another small heart-shaped spring bath, famous for being a source of gushing love. The relaxing atmosphere of the baths will surely make you forget the time, while the hot spring water will leave your skin healthy, soft and beautiful.
One of the hotels in the area offering its baths for day-trippers is Azumaen. It has a large bath with a wading pool, an outdoor bath, and a cypress wind bath with sauna. While lounging in the hot waters you will enjoy an amazing view of the duck pond and the mountain scenery of Unzen.
Ibusuki is an onsen town tucked away at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula. It is famous for its sand baths dotted along the seafront of the town where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand. The relaxing sand bath is said to detoxify the body and refresh the skin, making it a popular beauty treatment among Japanese tourists and a new experience for foreign visitors.
The sand baths of Ibusuki can be enjoyed at a number of hotels and other facilities, but the most popular bathing spot is the large Saraku Sand Bath Hall, which has large facilities, indoor baths, a steam room and spots for sand baths on the beach. It is about a kilometre from Ibusuki Station and is the first spot to visit in Ibusuki for the majority of travellers. Dressed in light yukata (lightweight cotton kimono) you are invited to lie down on a secluded section of the beach. more
The sand baths of Ibusuki can be enjoyed at a number of hotels and other facilities, but the most popular bathing spot is the large Saraku Sand Bath Hall, which has large facilities, indoor baths, a steam room and spots for sand baths on the beach. It is about a kilometre from Ibusuki Station and is the first spot to visit in Ibusuki for the majority of travellers. Dressed in light yukata (lightweight cotton kimono) you are invited to lie down on a secluded section of the beach. more
The staff members will then cover you with the hot sand of the area. After the first five minutes, the attendants offer to pile more sand on top of you, but the recommended time limit for the sand bathing sand bathing is 10 to 20 minutes. Afterwards, you will take a shower to wash off the sand and then soak into the regular hot springs inside for a double dose of relaxation.
There are a number of other activities visitors can enjoy in the city such as discover the local history and various displays of pottery at Satsuma Denshokan Museum, view the ocean and nearby Mount Kaimondake from the lookout point of Cape Nagasakibana at the very southern end of Ibusuki or enjoy another fantastic bathing experience at the outdoor baths of Healthy Land. The most impressive baths of Healthy Land are a couple of large, gender separated rotenburo (outdoor baths) along the coast with spectacular views. The regular indoor baths and sand baths can be found at its second building about 500 metres away.
There are a number of other activities visitors can enjoy in the city such as discover the local history and various displays of pottery at Satsuma Denshokan Museum, view the ocean and nearby Mount Kaimondake from the lookout point of Cape Nagasakibana at the very southern end of Ibusuki or enjoy another fantastic bathing experience at the outdoor baths of Healthy Land. The most impressive baths of Healthy Land are a couple of large, gender separated rotenburo (outdoor baths) along the coast with spectacular views. The regular indoor baths and sand baths can be found at its second building about 500 metres away.
Takeo Onsen is a hot spring town in western Saga Prefecture on the former Nagasaki Kaido route. The hot spring area is recorded in books from 1300 years ago and several historical people have stayed here. The simple alkaline-type hot spring water is colourless, not irritating, transparent, tasteless and odorless. This gentle hot spring feels smooth and silky on skin thanks to the high concentration of sodium bicarbonate, is easy to bath in, and is known as a superior heat-retaining beauty water. Takeo Onsen attracted many people over the centuries, including powerful feudal lords, craftsmen and soldiers.
Currently, tourists and locals can enjoy the waters of Takeo Onsen at several public bath houses found around the town’s iconic Sakura-mon, a two-storied red-lacquered gate that is the symbol of Takeo Onsen and was designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. more
The main public bath, Motoyu has two simple pools (a hot one and very hot one) for each gender, while Horaiyu offers each gender only one pool. The third bath, Saginoyu has more facilities, including outdoor baths and a sauna.
Behind the Sakura-mon Gate stands Takeo Onsen Shinkan built in 1915 that used to serve as a public bath house in the past, but is now a museum displaying its tiled Roman baths and tatami-covered rest zones that are not in use anymore.
Currently, tourists and locals can enjoy the waters of Takeo Onsen at several public bath houses found around the town’s iconic Sakura-mon, a two-storied red-lacquered gate that is the symbol of Takeo Onsen and was designated Important Cultural Property of Japan. more
The main public bath, Motoyu has two simple pools (a hot one and very hot one) for each gender, while Horaiyu offers each gender only one pool. The third bath, Saginoyu has more facilities, including outdoor baths and a sauna.
Behind the Sakura-mon Gate stands Takeo Onsen Shinkan built in 1915 that used to serve as a public bath house in the past, but is now a museum displaying its tiled Roman baths and tatami-covered rest zones that are not in use anymore.
Ureshino Onsen is a hot spring town in southwestern Saga Prefecture counted among Japan’s top three hot springs for beautiful skin. Its clear waters rich in sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride feel extremely smooth on skin, giving rise to its popularity as a “Bihada no Yu” (lit. beautiful skin waters).
The visitors to Ureshino can try the local spring waters at the Siebold no Yu, a public bathhouse named after the 19th century German scientist who enjoyed bathing in the town during his stay in Japan. The Taisho-style gothic building, Siebold-no-Yu, has two-stories and is about 750 square metres in size. Inside you will find a common bathing area, private baths for rent, a citizen’s gallery and much more, making it a great place for relaxation among locals and tourists. Furthermore, there are over 30 hotels and ryokan, more
The visitors to Ureshino can try the local spring waters at the Siebold no Yu, a public bathhouse named after the 19th century German scientist who enjoyed bathing in the town during his stay in Japan. The Taisho-style gothic building, Siebold-no-Yu, has two-stories and is about 750 square metres in size. Inside you will find a common bathing area, private baths for rent, a citizen’s gallery and much more, making it a great place for relaxation among locals and tourists. Furthermore, there are over 30 hotels and ryokan, more
many of which open their hot spring baths to day-trippers.
Ureshino is also known for its tea and boiled tofu (yudofu). There are terraces of tea fields sprawling out one after the next in Ureshino. The cultivation of Ureshino tea began between 1648 and 1651 by the tea grower, Jinbei Yoshimura. Tea seeds were gathered from Mount Sefuri and planted in the mountainous region of Ureshino Onsen, which was ideal as a tea growing area.
Ureshino is also known for its tea and boiled tofu (yudofu). There are terraces of tea fields sprawling out one after the next in Ureshino. The cultivation of Ureshino tea began between 1648 and 1651 by the tea grower, Jinbei Yoshimura. Tea seeds were gathered from Mount Sefuri and planted in the mountainous region of Ureshino Onsen, which was ideal as a tea growing area.
Located in Taketa city, Nagayu Hot Springs is one of Japan’s most carbonated hot springs renowned for its health benefits and therapeutic properties. It is the only hot-spring resort in Japan where you can not only soak in but also drink the naturally occurring highly carbonated water. Drinking the spring water is said to be good for the stomach and intestines and is very popular. The onsen town was popular among feudal lords of the Oka clan in the 17th century.
The hot spring resort that has the most carbonated waters in the entire Nagayu is Ramune Onsen (also written as Lamune Onsen), sometimes called the “soda pop” hot spring. You are recommended to try in rotation both the 32ºC outdoor bath and the 42ºC indoor mineral bath. The impressive resort buildings, combining modern and traditional Japanese architectural elements, more
The hot spring resort that has the most carbonated waters in the entire Nagayu is Ramune Onsen (also written as Lamune Onsen), sometimes called the “soda pop” hot spring. You are recommended to try in rotation both the 32ºC outdoor bath and the 42ºC indoor mineral bath. The impressive resort buildings, combining modern and traditional Japanese architectural elements, more
were designed by the famous Japanese architect Fujimori Terunobu and are worth a visit in themselves.
The real symbol of Nagayu, however, is Gozen’yu hot spring facility that describes itself as centre for hot-spring therapeutic culture and draws from a water source once used by the local feudal lords. Boasting an eye-stopping western design evoking German architecture, Gozen’yu offers something for each guest, from its large main bath to a rotenburo, a cold-water spring bath, a sauna, and even a family-sized private bath that can be rented just for you and your loved ones.
Anoter of the best loved spots of Nagayu is the Gani-yu, or “crab bath”, a mixed outdoor bath on the rocky banks of the Serikawa River. The tub was built of stacked rocks and stones in the shape of a crab, thus earning the name of “crab bath”.
The real symbol of Nagayu, however, is Gozen’yu hot spring facility that describes itself as centre for hot-spring therapeutic culture and draws from a water source once used by the local feudal lords. Boasting an eye-stopping western design evoking German architecture, Gozen’yu offers something for each guest, from its large main bath to a rotenburo, a cold-water spring bath, a sauna, and even a family-sized private bath that can be rented just for you and your loved ones.
Anoter of the best loved spots of Nagayu is the Gani-yu, or “crab bath”, a mixed outdoor bath on the rocky banks of the Serikawa River. The tub was built of stacked rocks and stones in the shape of a crab, thus earning the name of “crab bath”.