Hot springs, or onsen, are public baths which are often heated by subterranean geothermal energy. Having a relaxing soak in an onsen is a popular pastime of many people living in Japan.
Chikuho Region Onsen Guide: Dip Ya Hip
The following guide has been provided by SHS ALT Heather Stokes.
Ikawa Onsen – Kou no Yu 伊川温泉 こうの湯
Address: 福岡県飯塚市伊川82-33 Iizuka-shi, Ikawa 82-33
Phone: 0948-28-4126
Price: 700円
Website: http://kankou-iizuka.jp/topic_174/
Radium water.
One large indoor bath, wet and dry sauna, outdoor cold bath, and an *electric bath and jet bath area inside the indoor one. Family baths available. Enter into a spacious bath with a beautiful wooden ceiling while listening to calming traditional folk music.
*Please be careful not to unintentionally enter the electric bath. This is the sign 電気風呂 and the current is quite strong.
The womens/mens bath changes sides once a week.
Michi no Eki Ootō Sakurakaidō 道の駅 おおとう桜街道
Address: 田川郡大任町今任原1339
Tagawa-gun, Ootо̄-machi, Imatо̄baru 1339
Phone: 0947-63-44300
Price: 600円
Website: http://www.town.oto.fukuoka.jp/info/prev.asp?fol_id=1747
Salt (sodium chloride) water.
Outdoor bath, 3 one-person sized kettle baths, 2 indoor baths (not hot spring water) including a silky white one, wet sauna, medicinal hot stone bath (seperate fee), and family baths available.
The outdoor bath at night is highly recommended.
Additionally this place is a popular winter illumination spot.
Hōjyo Fuji Yu no Sato ほうじょう温泉 ふじ湯の里
Address: 田川郡福智町弁城1300-1
Tagawa-gun, Fukuchi-machi, Benjо̄ 1300-1
Phone: 0947-22-6667
Price: 650円
Website: https://fujiyunosato.com/hotspringinfo/
Salt (sodium chloride) water.
2 outdoor baths, the larger bath is slightly green and the smaller bath has white mineral deposits in it. (Don’t worry it’s not someones dead skin.)
Several large indoor baths including jets, walking and sleeping baths, sauna and family bath are available.
Women’s/Men’s baths change on odd/even days.
Genjii no Mori 源じいの森
Address: 田川郡赤村大字赤5251-3
Tagawa-gun, Aka-mura, Aka 5251-3
Phone: 0947-62-2851
Price: 600円
Website: https://www.genjii.com/spa
Alkaline water.
Generous outdoor and indoor bath with *an electric bath area, sauna, cold bath, and family baths are available.
This is a popular camping and firefly viewing spot. It’s a great spot to explore the forest and river topped off with a hot spring facility next door.
There is also a train station right in front of it, conveniently named Genjii no Mori Station.
Nagomi Iyashi no Yu 英彦山ホテル和 癒しの湯
Address: 田川郡添田町大字英彦山233-5
Tagawa-gun, Soeda-machi, Hikosan 233-5
Phone: 0947-85-0121
Price: 600円
Website: https://hikosan-nagomi.com/spa.html
Mt. Hiko is a popular hiking and fall foliage spot. Tucked into a street off the main road high in the mountains is a hotel with a hot spring. There are 2 indoor baths, the smaller one is less hot and one modest outdoor bath. The view from the baths allows you to see the mountain ranges which will light up with reds and oranges in autumn. The perfect way to end a day of hiking.
Wakita Onsen Nansuikaku 脇田温泉 楠水閣
Address: 宮若市脇田507
Miyakawa-shi, Wakita 507
Phone: 0949-54-0123
Price: 850円
Website: https://www.nansuikaku.com/en/
Alkaline water.
5 outdoor baths including the cold bath, and a cedar bath which has a large sake barrel for mens, and a heian poem and art for the women’s baths. A sauna and family baths are available.
This hotel offers special meals + hot spring + short stay bundle plans for day trippers.
Getting to the bath you walk across a bridge above a charming river. The night view from the bath is particularly awesome.
Hygeine
My personal onsen hygiene suggestion to everyone is to wash your body with soap before AND after entering the baths. I have no reason to trust that other people are adequately washing their bodies or that children are resisting the urge to relieve themselves in the baths. Hence, a safe and healthy bet is to wash your body twice. If you want to keep the minerals on your body, you can pour over some fresh onsen water before you leave to towel off.
This is the way.
Created with passion by Heather Stokes.
