Yukamuri Onsen

I first visited this public bath in October 2024 on my way to Kyoto. It's a very affordable public bath, costing only 380 yen for adults (cash only accepted via vending machine). Shampoo, soap, and towels are provided at an extra charge if needed, although I brought my own. There were two baths: a square one (lukewarm) and a semi-circular one (hotter). Even the hotter bath wasn't too hot, around 41°C. I didn't check the water quality, but the water was clear and very pleasant. I visited on a Friday after 8 PM, and there were always about 10 people bathing, seemingly locals, coming and going. (There are about 5 sinks in the washroom.) I rested in the休息室 (rest room) after my bath, but no one else was using it. There was a sign stating that usage was limited to 30 minutes, which made sense. There's free parking for about 8 cars across the street. The only downside was that the elderly woman at the reception desk wasn't very friendly and gave off a rather gloomy impression.

I visited in mid-June 2013. The facility is excellent for a public bath with free-flowing hot spring water and a 350 yen admission fee. There are six shower faucets, chairs, and washbasins provided. There are two hot and two warm baths, with plenty of hot water flowing out. Because the source water is very hot, a sign said they're adding water to lower the temperature to 45 degrees, but the warm bath is probably around 42 degrees. The hot bath is only for the lower legs, but the warm bath was comfortable enough for a full body bath. Towels and soap are available in vending machines for those without them. I visited during the weekday afternoon, and was able to relax, but apparently in the evenings, the baths are often overflowing with children as local families use them. Apparently, many homes in this area don't have bath facilities. Hot springs are the best.

This hot spring is located in Iwai Onsen, just off National Route 9. It is open from 6am. There is a parking lot across the street that can accommodate 7 or 8 cars. The fee is 380 yen, and there is a ticket vending machine. There are no amenities. Lockers are available free of charge and come with keys. There are two baths, one with lukewarm water and the other with hot water (free-flowing from the hot spring source). Even the lukewarm bath is a little hot, and the hot bath is very hot. There is a beach nearby, and there is a tap at the entrance to rinse the sand off your feet for those who use the beach directly.

Iwai Onsen, which is said to have been connected to Iwami Station by a town-operated light railway from the Taisho era to the early Showa era. It's called "Yukamuri Onsen" (steam-covered hot spring), not "Yukamuri Onsen" (steam-covered hot spring). While traditional bathing customs have been passed down and the atmosphere of a therapeutic hot spring resort remains strong, it has declined in popularity compared to its golden age, with only three inns remaining. However, it's a wonderful hot spring that deserves to be preserved for future generations.

My fifth bath in May 2025. Around 3 PM, it was relatively empty. The bathtub only had lukewarm water and hot spring water straight from the source. The hot spring water around here from Hamasaka is quite warm. There's no sauna, but the hot water and cold shower are sufficient. Even with the price increase, I think 380 yen for adults is still cheap, considering it's a flowing bath. There are only six seats in the washing area, so it seems like it gets more locals in the evening.