Ashiya Onsen

Five stars. I visited for the first time around 7 PM on a weekday. The eight-car parking lot was full, so I had to wait. They finally cleared the lot after about 15 minutes, so I went in. First of all, it's cheap. Enjoy the hot spring water for just 380 yen. And it's hot. If there was a cold bath here, it would become a sacred place and be packed all day. And they even offer free hair dryers, which is a huge bonus. This is a great service you wouldn't find at a regular public bath. I like hot water, so I had about five sets of the hot spring water. Since there was no cold bath, I cooled off with a cold shower, and it was ice-cold and refreshing, probably because it was January. (The shower closest to me was lukewarm, so it might depend on the location.) The hot spring water, over 43°C, made me sweat more than I expected. I kept drinking water, but I lost 2kg between before and after my bath, so it was quite a lot. My body was still hot even after I got out, so I had to leave the windows wide open in the 6°C outside temperature on my way home. A wide variety of public baths is nice, but perhaps this kind of simplicity is best is the ultimate in success. This one has been added as one of the public baths I visit six times a week.

This public bath is operated by Ashiya City. It uses hot spring water, so you can enjoy water straight from the source for a low price. The water quality is sodium chloride and bicarbonate. The pH is unknown (weakly alkaline). Despite its weak alkaline nature, the water feels slippery to the touch. There are baths filled directly from the source, as well as baths heated to a more comfortable temperature by adding water. The analysis shows the water temperature at 42.5°C, but it's actually a little warmer. Simply present your shoe locker key and your admission ticket purchased from the ticket machine to the reception desk and you'll receive a locker key for the changing room. There are two hair dryers (free of charge). There is one free outlet, so you can bring your own hair dryer. There is parking for about eight cars. It may be difficult to find a spot due to the limited capacity. There is a fee, but you can get a free 90-minute ticket at the reception.

A super cheap, natural hot spring public bathhouse in Ashiya, the celeb district. It's extremely cheap for Ashiya residents. Even for people from outside the city, it's 380 yen. 390 yen? Sorry, I forgot which one. There are only two baths and it's simple. There are two types of water: hot and lukewarm. The hot water is from the hot spring, and the lukewarm water is a diluted bath. It's a good idea to bring your own shampoo and body soap. They also have a set that allows you to enter empty-handed. Here, you can take a bath in the hot water and then relax in the lukewarm water. However, I always get tired and get out within 30 minutes. The warmth lasts even after you get out. It's a cheap, satisfying hot spring that doesn't take long to arrive. However, there are only two baths, so it's not suitable for people who want to relax. Personally, I think this is a public bath with good value for money and great value for money.

I visited Ashiya City's Ashiya Onsen. This public hot spring facility is located in a residential area, and while the exterior is simple, it has a clean, relaxing atmosphere. The facility is barrier-free, so anyone can use it with peace of mind. There is no sauna. The bath area has two types of baths: a high-temperature bath (approximately 43°C) with natural hot spring water, and a lukewarm bath with added water. The high-temperature bath is a little hot, but it warmed me from the inside out, and I felt warm even after I got out. There is also a lukewarm bath, so those who don't like hot water and those with children can enjoy it with peace of mind.

The hot water is good. I went there with high expectations because it's run by Ashiya City, but the elderly regulars kept nagging me about all sorts of things, which made me feel uncomfortable. Even though it's run by the city, I wonder if it's okay for them to act like they own the place and have a territorial mentality... I don't recommend bringing children. It's a shame, as the hot spring source is good. If you're okay with all that, then it's fine. Personally, I won't be going back because the regulars are too mean.