Choju Hot Spring

This is a clean and refreshing day-trip hot spring ♨️. Opening hours are from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Adult admission is 450 yen. If you buy a 4,500 yen package, you get two free baths worth 900 yen. Long-time fans will surely buy this. I watched the process of changing the water in the women's bath. Their movements were like those of a hot spring master, or rather, a hot spring sommelier, which left a very positive impression. The water is free-flowing from the source, and the water quality seems excellent. And it feels soft, yet warms you up to the core of your body very quickly. I usually distinguish this by the feeling at the base of my tongue, but it was quick here. There was no "no photography" sign in the bath, so I took pictures without hesitation. There's a direct-from-the-farm corner around the entrance. Vegetables are incredibly cheap, so I bought a bag of cucumbers 🥒 for 50 yen and some green onions for 100 yen for my lunchbox. The water drains well, and I felt great for several hours after getting out. I highly recommend this public bathhouse.

Found Choju Onsen in Tsuruoka City I usually go to Atsumi Onsen Public Bath, a neighboring town in the neighboring prefecture from Murakami. But there were only four seats, so we all searched around and found Choju Onsen in Tsuruoka, Yamagata. First of all, the parking lot is large (large trucks not allowed). We paid 450 yen per adult at the reception and went through the noren curtains for the men's and women's baths to the changing rooms... The changing rooms were also spacious (with air conditioning) and there were maybe 10 seats?! There were two bathtubs, one hot and one warm... It seemed to be a natural hot spring. This is just my personal opinion, but I like sulfur hot springs, and Choju Onsen is almost odorless. In contrast, the Atsumi Onsen Public Bath I usually go to has a strong sulfur content, leaving my skin feeling smooth... It might be good if you go with a few people? Thank you for your help♪ ※People with special circumstances were allowed in, as long as they weren't drinking. 😄 I think I'll go again😊

The adult fee is 450 yen (as of May 13, 2025). It's not located on a major road, but rather in a quiet residential area. The changing room isn't particularly spacious, and lockers are free. There are two hair dryers in the rest area just outside the changing room. The shower is weak. There's no sauna or open-air bath. The bath is about the size of a large public bath in a hotel. Because the water is a sulfate spring that flows directly from the source and is likely not cooled, there are two baths: one that's extremely hot (at its original temperature) and one that's just right after adding water. It's so hot it's almost unbearable to stay in. If you have the patience, then I recommend giving it a try. The rest area has a vending machine, a TV, and chairs.

Visited in February 2026 The bathing fee is ¥450, and the water is directly from the source. Cash only. Shampoo, body soap, and other amenities are not provided, so bring your own. Towels, shampoo, shampoo sets, and soap are available for purchase. Business hours are from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Last entry is at 9 PM. There is an open-air rest area. Hair dryers are available in the rest area. There are free lockers with locks in the changing room, but they are medium-sized. Store your clothes in a basket. There are about 10 washing areas, and the water pressure is excellent. I think the large bath is about 42-43 degrees, and the small bath is about 40 degrees. Fresh vegetables and other items are available for sale near the entrance.

This is just an ordinary local public hot spring bath, but the water is amazing. The water is hot and light, but the spring quality is similar to that of Yudagawa Onsen, also in Tsuruoka City, and hot water is always pouring out. It is 100% flowing water, unfiltered, unadded to water, and unsterilized, so there is a constant supply of fresh water. There are two bathtubs, and the water temperatures are different, so you can enjoy a quick dip in the hot water or a gentle soak in the lukewarm water.