(Hourigawa) Onsen Bijin Hot Spring

I heard it had reopened, so I decided to go for the first time in 20 years! However, the road to the destination is full of sharp curves, and even though there are a few places to pass oncoming vehicles, the 30-minute drive on a road wide enough for one car is still quite tiring. 😥 Also, the left side of the road is the Iwaiko River, and the right side is a steep mountain slope where rockfalls are unpredictable. Fist-sized boulders litter the paved road in places. In any case, please drive safely. 🚙三 Around 3:30 PM on a Sunday, judging from the number of cars parked in the parking lot, there were only about 5-6 people bathing, both men and women. The staff were very helpful. 🙆 Adult admission is 520 yen (as of December 7, 2025). There are small coin lockers between the entrance and the shoe lockers for storing valuables. You can use them for 100 yen. You get your 100 yen back when you leave. There are no lockers with locks in the changing rooms, so please do not bring any valuables with you. The facility does not have a sauna or private baths, but instead has one indoor bath and one outdoor bath for men and one indoor bath for women, a dining area, and a rest area. Both the indoor and outdoor baths have a thermometer that shows the water temperature. When I took a bath, it was 40.3°C, which was moderately warm and just the right temperature. From the outdoor bath you can enjoy a view of the magnificent mountains. Unfortunately, the bath seems to be a circulating system, so there is a faint smell of chlorine. I don't think it's free-flowing water. There are seven washing areas. Body soap and shampoo are installed next to the shower taps for shared use. I didn't eat the food, so I can't say if it was delicious or not.

I visited for the first time in a while since it reopened. From downtown Nobeoka, Google Maps directs you to National Route 326. (39km, approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes) Prefectural Route 207, which runs along the Iwaiko River, is narrower but closer. (28km, approximately 50 minutes) From downtown, about 14km is on a public road, but the remaining 14km is a 30-minute drive on a narrow, winding mountain road. There are occasional passing points, and while large vehicles can pass, kei cars and compact cars are more suitable. If you suffer from car sickness, it's a good idea to bring motion sickness medication. The bathing fee is 520 yen. The indoor bath is kept at 41°C, and the outdoor bath is kept at a lukewarm 36°C. The temperature is apparently adjusted depending on the season. Shampoo and body soap are provided. Kikori Shokudo is open from 11:00 AM, with last orders at 5:30 PM. The lockers for valuables are located next to the shoe lockers. You put 100 yen in, lock it, and it's returned when you retrieve it. There are various merchandise items for sale, including Okueyama T-shirts, towels, stickers, and more. The facility has been renovated and now has a restaurant, making it a more attractive facility, but its poor accessibility remains a drawback. I think this is a great hot spring for people who love the natural beauty of mountains and rivers.

The hot springs, the view from the open-air bath, and the offal set meal were all fantastic! However, the road to the hot springs requires some caution. It's a winding mountain road about 20km long, barely wide enough for one car (there are signs along the way warning of passing), and there are sometimes large branches and stones on the road surface. It's a place full of nature, and on the way back, we saw a magnificent adult male deer on the road. Even during the day, turn on your headlights so you can see oncoming traffic, and drive at a speed that allows you to stop properly in case of an unexpected situation around a blind corner. If you have an accident or a wheel comes off, it will likely take a considerable amount of time for roadside assistance to arrive. The scenery along the way was also incredibly beautiful. I want to go again!!

This hot spring facility ♨️ is nestled quietly atop a mountain, reached by a winding, narrow mountain path alongside the river. Inside, you'll find the reception desk. Behind it is a souvenir and sweets section, and further back is a spacious Japanese-style room where you can eat. (No outside food allowed.) 😄 By the way, I had the Iwaiko Dam curry. It was delicious! ❗😋👍 The bath ♨️ is simply designed, consisting of a compact large bath, a washing area, and an open-air bath. The water is clear and refreshing. The open-air bath's location allows you to see nothing but the natural mountains and sky, creating a very open and relaxing space. When I went, two people left and I had the bath all to myself, which I thoroughly enjoyed. ❗😆 I recommend it for those who want a quiet, relaxing soak.

Alkaline hot spring, so you will feel your smooth skin after take, it is reason why here is called 'hot spring of beauty'. You will see the great view of mountain at outside bath that called 'Okue mountain' and these area was certified as UNESCO eco park in 2017. You can be here by local bus on weekday but Saturday, Sunday and Holiday are not in service. Bus fee will be discounted to 500 yen one way from 1st October 2018. And hot spring will be closed on every Thursday. Nobeoka 12:00 -> 13:10 Hourigawa Spa *Final stop Hourigawa Spa 17:05 -> 18:15 Nobeoka Bus number is "6" and destination, "Hourigawa Spa". Please enjoy hike around before take bath.