The Hot Springs of Hitoyoshi-Kuma: A Legacy of Healing Waters

For centuries, the natural hot springs of Hitoyoshi-Kuma have been a source of relaxation and restoration. Historical records indicate that as early as the 1400s, feudal lords of the Sagara clan bathed here to heal battle wounds and exhaustion. By the early 20th century, these healing waters had transformed into a thriving onsen destination, and today, Hitoyoshi City alone boasts over 50 natural hot spring sources—with even more scattered throughout the surrounding region.

Many of the hot springs here are mildly alkaline, giving the water a smooth, almost soapy feel that leaves the skin feeling soft and refreshed.

The clever people of Hitoyoshi-Kuma have harnessed these healing waters and made use of them in a variety of business models that offer a diverse range of bathing experiences:

✔ “Ryokan” – Traditional Inns – Stay overnight in ryokan with thoughtfully designed in-room baths featuring hinoki cypress tubs, stone baths, and open-air rotenburo.
✔ “Sento” or Public Bathhouses – Frequenty by locals, these provide a casual, no-frills way to enjoy the onsen experience—sometimes for as little as ¥200.
✔ “Super Sento” Facilities – Onsen quasi-resorts with lodging, restaurants, camping, and other amenities.

Wherever you go in Hitoyoshi-Kuma, odds are you’re never too far from a good soak. Below, we introduce some of the best onsen options in Hitoyoshi City before branching out to hidden gems in the surrounding countryside.

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Hitoyoshi City Onsen: The Core of the Hot Spring Scene

1. Sagara Han Ganjōji Onsen (相良藩願成寺温泉)

Sagara Han Ganjōji Onsen keeps things simple: a gourd-shaped tub of soothing, slightly hot onsen water. Regulars have taken things a step further by setting up a DIY farm stand inside the bathhouse, where you can pick up locally grown vegetables for ¥100 per bag.

📍 Address: 402-1 Ganjōji-machi, Hitoyoshi City [Google Maps]
⏰ Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Closed 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM for cleaning)
💴 Price: ¥200 (¥300 after 10:00 PM)
🛁 Bonus: Next door, a local eatery serves natural ayu (sweetfish) and eel, making it a great spot for a post-bath meal.

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2. Iyashi no Mori (癒しの杜) – Private Family Baths

For travelers who aren’t keen on communal bathing, Iyashi no Mori offers private onsen rooms that can be rented by the hour. Known locally as kazokuburo (family baths), these are also popular among local families who want to soak together without having to split up by gender.

✔ 18 private bath rooms to choose from
✔ Options include outdoor baths, wooden tubs, and stone baths
✔ Ideal for families with young children or those who just prefer privacy

📍 Location: 1 min from the Hitoyoshi IC, 3 min from Hitoyoshi City center by car
⏰ Hours: Weekdays 13:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Last entries at 10:00 PM) / Weekends & Public Holidays 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Last entries at 10:00 PM)
💴 Pricing: Varies by bath type

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3. Ukeba Onsen Hanatebako (筌場温泉 花手箱)

Located in a quiet, nature-filled part of Hitoyoshi, Hanatebako isn’t just an onsen—it’s an unofficial gallery of regional folk crafts. The lobby features massive kiji-uma (wooden toy horses) and hand-painted camellia designs, but the real highlight is the outdoor bath—designed to look like a traditional wooden riverboat, paying homage to Hitoyoshi’s famous Kuma River cruises.

📍 Address: 1044 Nakagami-machi, Hitoyoshi City
⏰ Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
💴 Price: Standard public bath rates

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4. Iwakura no Mori Sekitei (いわくらの杜 石庭)

For those wanting a traditional onsen ryokan experience without splurging on a full overnight stay, Iwakura no Mori offers day-use access to its beautifully designed open-air baths. Of course, you can also reserve a room here for the full ryokan experience as well

✔ Natural spring water, free-flowing (gensen kakenagashi)
✔ Rotenburo (open-air baths) set in a natural garden environment
✔ Serene atmosphere, a step up from basic public baths

📍 Address: 1970-5 Yaguro-machi, Hitoyoshi City
⏰ Day-use hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Last entry 7:30 PM)
💴 Price: ¥500 (adults), ¥200 (children), free for kids under 3

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5. Seiryu Sansuika Ayu no Sato (清流山水花 あゆの里)

For those who prefer to stay overnight, Ayu no Sato is considered one of Hitoyoshi’s top ryokan, featuring private rooms with open-air baths overlooking the Kuma River. Guests can enjoy elaborate kaiseki dinners featuring local ingredients, and—rare for a ryokan—vegan kaiseki options are also available.

✔ Private onsen rooms with river views
✔ Vegan-friendly kaiseki dining available
✔ A top-tier ryokan experience in Hitoyoshi

📍 Address: 30 Kokonoka-machi, Hitoyoshi City
💴 Rates: ¥16,000+ per night (weekday), ¥19,000+ (weekends, per person)
🌐 Website: www.ayunosato.jp

Onsen Beyond Hitoyoshi City: Hot Springs in the Wider Kuma Valley

While Hitoyoshi City is a hotspot (literally) for onsen bathing, the wider Kuma region is full of secluded retreats, sprawling super-sento, and hot spring lodges tucked into the mountains. Whether you’re looking for a casual soak, an overnight stay, or an onsen with a side of camping, here are some of the best places to bathe beyond city limits.

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6. Sagara Onsen Sayuri (さがら温泉 茶湯里)

A ‘super sento’ experience with pools, lodging, and even a log house.

If you’re after more than just a quick soak, Sayuri is a full-scale relaxation facility featuring open-air baths, electric baths, saunas, and even a pool. It’s a favorite among locals looking for a day-long escape and also a great place to stay overnight, with a variety of hotel rooms, cottages, and log houses available.

📍 Location: 4 km from Nishiki Secret Base Museum
🛁 Baths include: Outdoor rotenburo, electric baths, sauna
🏕 Stay Options: Hotel rooms, log houses, cottages
⏰ Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
💴 Price: Standard onsen rates

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7. Yamae Onsen Hotaru (山江温泉ほたる)

Similar to Sagara Sayuri, Yamae Onsen doubles as both a bathhouse and an overnight stay option. The spacious bathing area features 12 different types of baths, and the in-house restaurant serves local specialties made from seasonal ingredients.

📍 Location: Yamae Village, Kuma District
🛁 Baths include: 12 different types of baths
🏕 Stay Options: Traditional ryokan lodging
💴 Price: Standard onsen rates

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8. Ichifusa Kanko Hotel (市房観光ホテル)

Located at the base of Ichifusa-yama, an untouched sacred mountain in Deep Kuma, this quiet onsen lodge is best suited for those looking to truly get away from it all. The hot spring water here is intensely alkaline, giving it an almost exfoliating effect—your skin will feel so smooth you’ll start wondering if you accidentally walked into a spa treatment.

✔ Unspoiled nature & ancient cedar forests nearby
✔ One of the most alkaline onsen waters in the region
✔ Great spot for hikers and nature lovers

📍 Location: Ichifusa, Kuma District
🏕 Stay Options: Ryokan-style lodging with wild vegetable-based meals
💴 Price: Varies by season

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9. Yunomae Onsen Yurari (ゆのまえ温泉 湯楽里)

Yunomae Onsen Yurari is more than just a bathhouse—it’s a community hub featuring hot springs, restaurants, cabins, a guesthouse, and even a campground. It’s a popular weekend getaway spot for both locals and travelers passing through the Kuma region. In their on-site restaurant you can enjoy a hyper-local speciality of honekajiri literally meaning “chomp on the bone”, which is pork meat simmered on the bone.

✔ Large rotenburo with stunning nature views
✔ Salt-infused onsen water (Shio-yu)
✔ Go-karts, mini-golf, and a full campground on-site

📍 Location: Yunomae Town, Kuma District
🏕 Stay Options: Hotel rooms, cottages, guesthouses, and camping
🌐 Official Website: Visit here
📍 Google Maps: Check location

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10. Isshōchi Onsen Kawasemi (一勝地温泉かわせみ)

Located deep in the mountains, this relaxed hot spring hotel is just a short walk from the Kuma River, making it a prime spot for riverside relaxation. You can also rent a campsite here—because nothing says “embracing nature” quite like spending the night by the river and following it up with an onsen soak in the morning.

✔ Lodging with tatami-floored rooms & futons
✔ Riverside camping area with BBQ facilities
✔ Panoramic mountain views from the baths

📍 Location: Near Isshōchi Station
🏕 Stay Options: Ryokan rooms, camping sites
💴 Onsen Price: ¥800+
⏰ Hours: Check-in 3:00 PM / Check-out 10:00 AM
🏕 Camping: ¥3,500 per tent site

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Hitoyoshi-Kuma’s Onsen: So Many Baths, So Little Time

If there’s one thing Hitoyoshi-Kuma isn’t lacking, it’s hot water. From casual local bathhouses to full-blown onsen resorts with restaurants, cabins, and even go-karts, there’s no shortage of places to soak—which is fortunate, because after a long day of hiking, rafting, castle-ruin-exploring, or shochu-tasting, you’ll probably want one.

The good news? There’s an onsen for every occasion. Want something quick and cheap? ¥200 gets you into a no-frills local bathhouse. Need privacy? Rent a kazokuburo. Feeling fancy? Book a ryokan with a private rotenburo overlooking the river. Or maybe you want to camp, then wake up and walk straight into a hot spring—because apparently, that’s an option too.

Curious about what else makes Hitoyoshi-Kuma worth the visit? Check out the rest of the series:

🔹 Hitoyoshi-Kuma Complete Guide: A Valley 700 Years in the Making – A look at the geography, history, and why this valley even exists.
🔹 Top Things to Do in the Kuma Valley – Castles, rivers, samurai experiences, and bungee jumps—take your pick.
🔹 Kuma Shochu: The Spirit of the Valley – Everything you need to know about the local rice shochu tradition.
🔹 Vegan in the Kuma Valley: A Rural Shift Toward Plant-Based Cuisine – A look at the region’s unexpected embrace of plant-based food.

Wherever your trip takes you, there’s probably an onsen nearby—and honestly, it’d be a shame not to stop in.

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