Yutaka Onsen

March 29, 2025, Afternoon Bath Arrived before 2:30 PM, it wasn't crowded. The entrance fee was 460 yen. Shoe lockers were free, and there were 100 yen returnable lockers and free changing baskets. Soap and other toiletries were not provided. The indoor bath's main tub had colorless, transparent water at about 40°C, which felt wonderfully smooth on the skin. Besides that, there was a reclining bath, a waterfall bath, an electric bath, and a "dancing bath" (I think?). There was also a shallow tub in front of a raccoon dog statue where you couldn't immerse yourself up to your shoulders unless you lay down. A sign was posted saying something like, "The water temperature may fluctuate due to a machine malfunction." When I first got in, it was extremely hot, probably around 44°C, and it felt amazing. The sauna was 84°C according to the thermometer, and I could stay in it for a long time. The cold plunge pool was also cold, but I could soak in it for a long time as well. The open-air bath had the same water temperature as the indoor bath, around 40℃, and there were two chairs in the open-air area so I could enjoy the fresh air. After enjoying the fresh air, I warmed up again in the bath in front of the raccoon statue and went to the sauna, but when I went to the bath, the water was really lukewarm this time, which made me laugh. It wasn't crowded, so I was able to relax at my leisure. On the way out, I peeked into the shop and saw strawberries for 200 yen, so I thought I'd buy them, but when I looked closer, they were from Kumamoto Prefecture. Not Kagoshima?! I thought, but I bought them anyway.

This isn't a typical hot spring bathhouse, but it's a slightly smooth bicarbonate spring, popular with locals. As of January 2026, it costs 460 yen. There's a slight chlorine smell near the jacuzzi, but overall it's not too noticeable. Sometimes the chlorine smell lingers on your skin or fingernails after a bath, but that's not the case here. I heard from Gunji-san that the bath is more than just smooth, but slippery, so I decided to visit, but it was only slightly slippery and not overpowering. There are many sticky hot springs in the Miyazaki and Kirishima areas, so this one is milder than those. The analysis report from 1992, probably shortly after the bath opened, showed a CO3- The CO3- level was 13mg, but for some reason, the last two analysis reports didn't include any CO3- information. My favorite part was the waterfall bath. A large amount of water slams down on your body. The shower pressure is average, but be careful as there are some areas where the water only trickles. No shampoo or soap provided. There's a sauna and cold bath, an open-air bath, chairs for outdoor bathing, a hair dryer, and free lockers with a 100-yen return. Payment is cash only via ticket vending machines or multi-use tickets. The website states that the last check-in time is 9:30 PM, but cleaning begins at 9:45 PM and the facility closes at 10:00 PM, so I recommend arriving by 9:15 PM.

Entering the parking lot (at least from the north side) is a bit precarious. My Toyota Aqua *just* about fits around the corner. I was happy with my surround camera. Maybe best to use that side only by kei-car? The bath is very nice. It looks quite basic, because it's all tiled indoors, but there are actually a good variety of baths, plus a sauna. There's also a stone bath outdoors, which is a little on the hotter side. The water is nice and soft, very alkaline. Amenities are NOT provided, so bring your own or purchase a small care package when you arrive. Towels are also NOT provided, but you can rent them for an additional fee. The dressing rooms are equipped with ¥100 coin operated lockers (you get your coin back though), and traditional baskets. In the lobby there are some vending machines and a small selection of (presumably) local goods for sale, and that's basically all the facilities. There is no restaurant as this is not a super sento - just a good normal sento. I visited between 17:00 and 18:00 and the place was moderately busy. I take that as a good sign. The bare admission fee (no amenities or towels) for adults is only ¥460, which is rather reasonable - that's like €2.50!

Yutaka Onsen in Tasaki-cho, Kanoya City: 410 yen admission. This long-established hot spring offers a Japanese-style Kannon bath and a Western-style Roman bath, which apparently rotate weekly for men and women. This spacious, old-fashioned super-sento (super public bath) features numerous baths, including an open-air bath, a rare 1.4cm deep x 0.8cm wide bubble bath for one person, and a large cold bath in the sauna. The spring water is particularly noteworthy: the baking soda spring. It's a rare, slimy, oily spring that clings to your skin like salad oil, a type I adore. The first bath was amazing! The entrance was hard to find, but most of the customers were locals, so it was a nice experience. Delicious local vegetables were on sale in the lobby. The atmosphere made it difficult to take photos, so I asked the front desk for permission.

I thoroughly enjoyed the sauna and hot springs. There was a space where I could bathe in the open air, and while feeling the pleasant breeze, I could feel my body gradually becoming in tune. The hot spring water was of such high quality that it warmed me right to the core and I was pleased that I didn't get cold for long after the bath. The sauna was spacious and rarely crowded, so I could enjoy it at my own pace. In the bath area, background music reminiscent of that which plays in a nostalgic supermarket echoed. The strong carbonated water from Zaiho that I had drunk in the waiting room seeped into my heated body. The fizzy sensation was so pleasant that I was reluctant to part with every last drop. I spent a time that satisfied both my mind and body.