Hot Springs in Kumamoto
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Kumamoto
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Kumamoto
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Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto Prefecture
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- Kurokawa’s residents have worked hard to keep it free from the massive hotels that have been known to invade and dominate a once-quaint onsen town, and its decided lack of electric light makes it an ideal escape from urban Japan. Some of Kurokawa’s best offerings are its open-air baths, which can be enjoyed in bulk by purchasing a three-bath discount pass for a mere 1300 yen. Some smaller baths charge as little as 100 yen in exchange for a dip, meaning a little bit of cash goes a long way in this charming onsen town.
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- Kumamoto
- 10. March. 2019
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Onsen in Japan - 10 of the Best
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- Though there are many ways to experience Japan, you’ve scarcely skimmed the surface until you’ve visited an onsen. And in a country blessed with bustling thermal activity–Mt. Fuji is a volcano, after all–a hot spring is never far away. Let’s dive in and explore some of the highlights of Japan’s rich culture of public bathing. How many spots have you visited from our list? Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Prefecture Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Prefecture Kusatsu’s water is the most acidic in Japan, earning it a reputation of being practically medicinal (that’s not quack science–plenty of data backs up the restorative properties of piping hot onsen water). Choose from 18 public baths, and don’t forget to check out the Yubatake (hot water field), the impressive source of Kusatsu’s glorious water supply, and Netsunoyu bathouse, where colourfully costumed women stir steaming pools of water to cool it to the ideal temperature for bathing. Gero Onsen, Gifu Prefecture Gero Onsen, Gifu Prefecture Regarded since the Edo period as one of the top three onsen in Japan, Gero Onsen is comprised of three separate bath houses where you can soak yourself into serenity. There are also plenty of ryokan (Japanese inns) with their own private tubs, and a large open-air public bath that visitors can enter for free. Shy ones, be warned: there are no changing facilities and passerby have a clear view of the bath from the bridge above. Arima Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture Arima Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture Located in the shadow of Mt. Rokko, Arima Onsen is one of the oldest and most famous bathing resorts in Japan. One such reason for its popularity might be its unique dual water supply: so-called “gold springs” are yellowish-brown in colour and rich in iron and salt, while Arima’s “silver springs” get their name from their high concentration of radium and carbonate. Make sure you leave enough time to enjoy the unique health benefits of both. Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture Cozily tucked amongst the mountains, Ginzan’s waters derive their rich mineral content from a decommissioned silver mine that was once the town’s main source of income. It’s known for its especially beautiful ryokan, including an impressive four-storey inn rebuilt in 2006 by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, and a 22-metre waterfall provides a charming backdrop almost any time of year. Beppu Onsen, Oita Prefecture Beppu Onsen, Oita Prefecture Beppu is an area well known for its hot springs–in fact, it has more than any other region of Japan–but Beppu Onsen stands out among them for its sheer number of baths and variety of bathing experiences. A trip to Beppu Onsen is much more than a dip in the tub: visitors can indulge in baths of steam, sand, and–if you don’t mind a bit of a mess–mud. Of course, each method is praised for its different restorative effects on health and beauty. Yufuin Onsen, Oita Prefecture Yufuin Onsen, Oita Prefecture Ten kilometres from Beppu is Yufuin Onsen, another much-loved hot spring resort. Beautifully sandwiched between the natural splendour of Mount Yufu and Lake Kinrinko, Yufuin Onsen’s water is praised for for its natural moisturizing effects on tired skin. There’s plenty of local ryokans to choose from–including some whose outdoor baths include breathtaking views of Mount Yufu’s misty twin peaks. Also worth a visit in Shitanyu Public Bath, which looks like something ripped from the page’s of a Japanese history book. Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto Prefecture Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto Prefecture Kurokawa’s residents have worked hard to keep it free from the massive hotels that have been known to invade and dominate a once-quaint onsen town, and its decided lack of electric light makes it an ideal escape from urban Japan. Some of Kurokawa’s best offerings are its open-air baths, which can be enjoyed in bulk by purchasing a three-bath discount pass for a mere 1300 yen. Some smaller baths charge as little as 100 yen in exchange for a dip, meaning a little bit of cash goes a long way in this charming onsen town. Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture Kinosaki is one of Kansai’s best onsen, where onsen lovers have been making pilgrimage since the 8th century. Naturally, its developed since its days of yore: Kinosaki is now home to seven splendid bath houses, all of which look impossibly picturesque–even more so once the sun’s gone down. Those with tattoos, take note: all seven of Kinosaki’s onsen are open to those with ink, making them a bit of a unicorn in a country that’s still a bit apprehensive about body art. Iizaka Onsen, Fukushima Prefecture Iizaka Onsen, Fukushima Prefecture The water running through Iizaka’s nine public baths and three footbaths’ is extra hot–42 degrees celcius, in fact, making it slighty toastier than your average onsen experience. Despite over 1,000 years of history, Iizaka Onsen’s baths look surprisingly new, thanks to recent refurbishments and renovations. We’re crazy about the Hako-yu Koen, a footbath conveniently located near the train station so you can warm your feet before heading home. Zao Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture Zao Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture Visit Zao Onsen in the winter to first partake in its top-notch ski and snowboard facilites, then take your cold bag of bones for a rejuvenating soak in the sulfur-rich waters of one of its three indoor or open-air baths. If you can’t make it until the warmer months, don’t worry–those who visit Zao outside of winter can enjoy a ravine-fed outdoor bath that shuts down during the mountain region’s coldest months. The only downside to Japanese onsen towns? How difficult it is to choose which one to go to next. Fortunately, you’ll be reaping the benefits exclusive to an all-natural hot tub no matter where you end up. ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Japan
- 10. March. 2019
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Tsuetate Onsen Town, Kumamoto
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- In the far north of Kumamoto, deep inside a steaming valley crevasse is where you’ll find Tsuetate, an onsen town, and resort filled with healing water and a fascinating history. The origin of this onsen town goes back to the 1800s, and throughout its lifetime its role has changed many times. Once considered a luxury travel destination, and often referred to as ‘Kyushu’s inner sanctum,’ it was where the area’s high society folk came to unwind. Today it’s open to visitors from all walks of life and makes for an excellent place to explore Kyushu’s hot spring legacy. Tsuetate has several small ryokans and bathhouses making it a comfortable day trip spot, or a worthy weekend destination. If you do make it, be sure to try onsen vegetable steaming, and snap some unique photos of The Maple Bridge impressive collection of wooden e-goi plaques covered in wishes.
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- Kumamoto
- 6. March. 2019
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Hinagu Onsen Town
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- Sitting on the southern side of Kumamoto, near the ocean is where you’ll find Hinagu Onsen Town. Far from a major tourist attraction, Hinagu Onsen is excellent for those who want a more low key side of Kyushu. Make an effort to explore, and you’ll realize that this is a town full of hidden surprises and endearing local charm. The major bath complex is Hinagu Onsen, which also houses a restaurant, a snack bar, and a gift shop.
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- Kumamoto
- 6. March. 2019
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Kurokawa Onsen, Minamioguni, Kumamoto
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- In the mountains north of Aso caldera, Kurokawa Onsen was a booming tourist destination in the 1960s. Today, it’s a charming, rustic local onsen town with something for all traveling types. Somehow managing to avoid the influence of significant redevelopment due to tourism, the area feels almost untouched. You won’t find any monolithic concrete hotels, neon signs, or major convenience stores, but rather a collection of locally run businesses proud of their community-centric heritage. Perfect for enjoying the natural beauty of Kyushu, the area is famous for its outdoor hot spring baths, and almost all of the town’s ryokan have at least one. If you’re looking to disconnect from the manic energy of the city, and truly refresh and reconnect with nature, this is the place to do it.
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- Kumamoto
- 6. March. 2019
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Onsen Hopping in Kyushu
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- With its dense population of bubbling volcanic sources, Japan is arguably one of the major hot spring destinations of the world and is said to have more hot springs than any other country, with a large percentage of them in Kyushu. From the hot spring sands of Ibusuki to the hidden local bathing towns of Yufuin, there’s a seemingly endless supply of hot spring water pumping through this less traveled Island, and here are just a handful of our favorites. Tsuetate Onsen Town, Kumamoto Tsuetate Onsen Town, Kumamoto In the far north of Kumamoto, deep inside a steaming valley crevasse is where you’ll find Tsuetate, an onsen town, and resort filled with healing water and a fascinating history. The origin of this onsen town goes back to the 1800s, and throughout its lifetime its role has changed many times. Once considered a luxury travel destination, and often referred to as ‘Kyushu’s inner sanctum,’ it was where the area’s high society folk came to unwind. Today it’s open to visitors from all walks of life and makes for an excellent place to explore Kyushu’s hot spring legacy. Tsuetate has several small ryokans and bathhouses making it a comfortable day trip spot, or a worthy weekend destination. If you do make it, be sure to try onsen vegetable steaming, and snap some unique photos of The Maple Bridge impressive collection of wooden e-goi plaques covered in wishes. Beppu Area, Oita Beppu Area, Oita Located in the northeast of Kyushu, Oita Prefecture is a hotbed of hot spring activity, and the town of Beppu is the unofficial headquarters. With so many onsen outlets, it can be difficult to decide where to begin, so let’s run through some of the best. With its steam billowing along the mountainside, Horita Onsen area is one of Beppu’s most picturesque. Great for young people and families, this area has several onsen facilities, which are cheap to enter (210 yen for adults and 100 yen for children) and allow guests with tattoos. Named after a nearby waterfall (which is well worth a visit) Shiraito no Taki is perfect for those wanting to bathe with opposite-sex companions in a private setting. This onsen requires guests to rent a private room for a fee of 1,000 yen for 50 minutes. For a more community-centric experience, The Kannawa Onsen area is where you should head. A neighborhood crafted from winding alleys smothered in clouds of steam, Kannawa Onsen is where the locals go for their regular wind-down bath. There are many bathhouses to choose from here, making it perfect for an evening of bath-crawling. Yufuin, Oita Yufuin, Oita A little more compact compared to its neighbor Beppu, Oita’s city of Yufuin is perfect for those who want to feel like they’ve discovered a well-kept hot spring secret. Located at the base of Mt. Yufu, some of the area’s baths offer views of Lake Kinrinko and Mt. Yufu. Not for the faint of heart, or those prone to overheating, Yufuin’s baths tend to lean on the hotter side, with water sitting around the 40C+ mark. Once you’ve had a soak, head over to the shopping district of Yorozuya to browse the local craft shops and pick up some traditional Japanese pottery. Hinagu Onsen Town Hinagu Onsen Town Sitting on the southern side of Kumamoto, near the ocean is where you’ll find Hinagu Onsen Town. Far from a major tourist attraction, Hinagu Onsen is excellent for those who want a more low key side of Kyushu. Make an effort to explore, and you’ll realize that this is a town full of hidden surprises and endearing local charm. The major bath complex is Hinagu Onsen, which also houses a restaurant, a snack bar, and a gift shop. Kurokawa Onsen, Minamioguni, Kumamoto Kurokawa Onsen, Minamioguni, Kumamoto In the mountains north of Aso caldera, Kurokawa Onsen was a booming tourist destination in the 1960s. Today, it’s a charming, rustic local onsen town with something for all traveling types. Somehow managing to avoid the influence of significant redevelopment due to tourism, the area feels almost untouched. You won’t find any monolithic concrete hotels, neon signs, or major convenience stores, but rather a collection of locally run businesses proud of their community-centric heritage. Perfect for enjoying the natural beauty of Kyushu, the area is famous for its outdoor hot spring baths, and almost all of the town’s ryokan have at least one. If you’re looking to disconnect from the manic energy of the city, and truly refresh and reconnect with nature, this is the place to do it. Kumamoto Ibusuki Sand Bath Kumamoto Ibusuki Sand Bath For something a little different, the Saraku Sand Bath Hall in Ibusuki is a novel adventure. Dressed in a yukata, guests are buried underneath piles of heated sand powered by the nearby volcanic activity. The combination of sand weight, heat, and high sodium content are said to improve blood circulation, digestive problems, rheumatism, neuralgia, and to rid the body of toxins. Given that it’s an experience near impossible to find anywhere else in the world, if you’re in the area it’s well worth trying at least once. ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Japan
- 6. March. 2019
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Tsuetate Onsen Town
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- Tucked deep inside a steaming valley crevasse in the far north of Kumamoto sits Tsuetate, an onsen town and resort with a story that stretches back to the 1800s. As you wander through the town you can see its history etched into every rocky surface and aging walls of houses that still stand proud and tall towering over the flowing river that cuts through the town center. Locally known as ‘Kyushu’s inner sanctum’ this site was once the home to a bustling luxury travel economy, where the wealthy came to relax and immerse themselves in the Tsuetate hot springs, and culturally rich atmosphere. Like a city frozen in time, it’s still today an excellent place to visit and an ideal antidote to the fast paced energy of city life. Tsuetate Onsen Town When you arrive in the town, the first thing you’ll notice is the billowing onsen steam that permeates through the ground’s surface and rustic buildings. The town is home to a variety of baths filled with water fresh from the hot spring. At its source it’s said the water is literally over 100 degrees, but don’t worry, by the time it’s bath ready it has been cooled to a more habitable temperature. Indoor and outdoor baths, public baths frequented by locals, small foot baths, to private family baths, the options here are almost endless so if you’re staying for a while you’ll never run out of new options. Tsuetate Onsen Town One of the rare cooking experiences you can try your hand at here is vegetable steaming, an age-old local technique that utilizes the onsen’s unique cooking qualities. You can pick up local produce like sweet potatoes from the nearby road market, and head to the free to use public food steamers that sit alongside the riverside carpark. As you wait for your vegetables cook, be sure to take your time to follow the river and admire the stunning natural beauty of your surroundings. Tsuetate Onsen Town ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Kumamoto
- 18. April. 2018
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Kurokawa Onsen
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- Sitting about 20 kilometers north of Mount Aso, right in the middle of Kyushu you’ll find the Kurokawa Onsen, an onsen town that thanks to local efforts has remained relatively uninfluenced by modern tourism trends. Surrounded by clusters of lush trees that transform in color during the passing seasons, and with a rocky flowing river running through its middle, Kurokawa Onsen is a picturesque town filled with natural beauty and steaming hot onsen baths. Kurokawa Onsen Seamlessly blending in with the organic surroundings, the buildings that populate the area are rustic and wooden and line the many walking paths that weave in and around the township. Ryokans, cafes, restaurants, gift stores and of course onsen baths make up the majority of the buildings offering plenty to see and do while you’re in the area. Kurokawa Onsen It’s said that the onsens here have a history that stretches back over 300 years, but in terms of tourism, the area’s popularity sky-rocked in the 1960s and 70s when the Kurokawa Hotel Association was established. In its previous lifetime, the Kurokawa Onsen was a popular resting site for Daimyo (feudal lords) travelling through the area. Garnering a reputation for being an excellent place to rest and recover, the onsens were given the name ‘Kizuyu’, which translates to ‘spa for curing wounds.’ Thanks to the tireless efforts of the local townspeople and their organizations, Kurokawa Onsen has remained free from towering hotels, and garish illuminated signs, all hallmarks of major commercialization, making it still feel like a well kept local secret. Kurokawa Onsen ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Kumamoto
- 18. April. 2018
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Hinagu Onsen Town
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- Yatsushiro sits next to the sea a little south of Kumamoto. If you’re interested in seeing a more traditional perspective of Japan or simply enjoying nature, this is an excellent place to visit. Along with a castle, various temples, parks, and gardens, this area is also known as the home of Hinagu Onsen. While it’s not a bustling metropolis, Yatsushiro’s Hinagu Onsen has plenty to see for adventurous travelers willing to take detours. Hinagu Onsen Town The origin of the Hinagu Onsen is something of a legend. In the 15th century, it is said that the hot spring was discovered as an answer to the prayer of a man in search of a cure for a sword injury his father was suffering from. Since then, the legend of Hinagu Onsen has grown in popularity, with people coming from all over Japan to bathe in its waters. In the Edo period, it was designated as the official onsen of the Hosokawa clan, who are historically significant in the Kumamoto region. Hinagu Onsen Town Today, the Hinagu Onsen is still a big attraction in the area. There are several onsen houses in the area that you can visit for a minimal fee. The Hinagu Onsen Center has several options, such as shared baths, private baths, a sauna, and foot baths with prices ranging from 200-1,240 yen for adults, depending on the options selected. There is also a restaurant, a snack bar, and a gift shop. Hinagu Onsen Town ©NAVITIME JAPAN. Travel Info Check out our travel tips to make your trip better!
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- Kumamoto
- 18. April. 2018
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Recommended spots
264 results
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- Kurokawa Onsen
- Hot Spring / Hot Spring Bath
- Kumamoto Aso-gun Minamiogunimachi Manganji Kurokawa
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- Kurokawa Onsen Okunoyu
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4.0130 Reviews - Hot Spring / Hot Spring Bath
- Kumamoto Pref. Asogunminamiogunimachi Manganji Kurokawa 6567
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I had high expectations of this place from the reviews and how it’s a lot more expensive than most Onsens. The good It’s a lovely setting. Next to the river it’s very pretty. The dinner was great...
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- Asozuru Onsen Lodge Mura
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4.535 Reviews - Hot Spring / Hot Spring Bath
- Kumamoto Pref. Asogunogunimachi Nishizato 2053-64
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各部屋に自分で勝手にお湯を張って入れる露天風呂があって面白い！あいにく雨だったので遠くの景色なども見えなくて雨に打たれながら露天風呂に入りました。お天気のいい時だったらどんなに素敵かと残念です。
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- Hourei-no-Yu
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![rating-image]()
4.561 Reviews - Hot Spring / Hot Spring Bath
- Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture Ogunimachi Nishizato 2917
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家族湯檜風呂の露天風呂です。目の前にわいた山。お湯は弱ブルーな色です。500円硬貨3枚で、5秒後にお湯が出ます。最初に湯船の栓を確認してからお金を投入してください。時間は1時間最初の30分はお湯が出っぱなしです。
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- Waita Onsen Association
- Hot Spring / Hot Spring Bath
- Kumamoto Pref. Asogunogunimachi Nishizato Yunoyu 2816
Kumamoto Areas
Kumamoto lies in the center of Kyushu, a calm prefecture perfect for easy strolls around the historic center and lazy evenings in the natural hot springs at Kurokawa Onsen. For a slightly more strenuous activity, head to Mount Aso, whose surrounding hills offer hiking opportunities aplenty with views over the active volcano.
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