Okayama may be one of Japan’s milder prefectures, but their hot springs are worth a warmer dip. Beside the Seto Inland Sea and close to plenty of more well-known sightseeing cities such as Hiroshima, it has its own naturally-heated hot springs to enjoy after a long day. There are two main towns to visit for hot springs in Okayama: Yunogo and Yubara onsen, both with a fantastic array of indoor and outdoor baths, with traditional inns and public baths available.
Yunogo Onsen: Skin-Beautifying Waters
With a thousand years of hot spring history, Yunogo Onsen is one of the go-to destinations for a relaxing break in Okayama. The town’s weak-alkaline water has a reputation for skin-beautifying properties and is especially popular with women. The town is also known as Sagi-no-yu, meaning water of the heron, after an injured heron was found bathing by a Buddhist high priest. Yunogo Onsen also has a miniature train museum and a contemporary toy museum, as well as a chance to experience their carefully designed Samurai Project.
There is a free footbath in the center of the small town, as well as a public bath called Yunogo Sagi-onsen-kan complete with a heron statue outside to mark its location as the original hero hot spring. The town’s ryokan (traditional guesthouses) and hotels have their own baths, with some allowing day visitors to use them for certain times. To sample the different experiences, there is a ‘Yu Meguri Coaster’ also called the ‘Hot Spring Tour Coaster’ available which allows entry to three of the ten different hotel baths, but it is only available to guests staying overnight.
Getting to Yunogo Onsen
From Okayama Station, visitors can take the 2 pm Uno Bus to Yunogo Onsen, taking an hour and 50 minutes and running a return trip at 11 am each day. Poppy Springs Resorts offers a free bus collection from Okayama Station with an advance reservation.
From Kurashiki Station, take the local JR Sanyo Line to Okayama (15 minutes, 330 yen) and then on to Yunogo Onsen as above. Alternatively, it is a 1.5-hour drive direct from Kurashiki.
Nishikien Ryokan: A Traditional Bath
A traditional Japanese Inn, Nishikien has a first-class restaurant and a variety of indoor and outdoor mixed baths as well as private baths to rent. The rooms are a mix of Japanese and Western. It is located in the center of the town, close to the Yoshino River and a minute away from the town’s public baths.
Spot Information
- Name: Nishikien Ryokan (花の宿にしき園)
- Address: 840-1 Yunogo, Mimasaka, Okayama
- Location: The hotel is located in the center of Yunogo Town, just north of the Yoshino River.
- Access: The hotel is an 8-minute taxi ride from Hayashino Station on the Kishin Line. By car, the town is a 10-minute drive from the Mimasaka Interchange on National Route 374.
- Room Times: Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00.
Poppy Springs Resort and Spa: Luxury Bathing
A contemporary resort-style Hotel, Poppy Springs is less of a Japanese experience and more a western blend with American architecture and French Cuisine. Perfect for those already based in Japan, it has a jacuzzi, steam sauna, aromatherapy and massage services and free access to the hot spring and open-air baths of the Yunogo Grand Hotel across the street.
Spot Information
- Name: Poppy Springs Resort and Spa (ポピースプリングス リゾート＆スパ)
- Address: 538-1 Yunogo, Mimasaka, Okayama
- Location: The hotel is located just to the west of the town’s public baths and south of the Showa Era Toy Museum, in the heart of the town.
- Access: The hotel is also an 8-minute taxi ride from Hayashino Station on the Kishin Line. By car, the town is a 10-minute drive from the Mimasaka Interchange on National Route 374.
- Hours: Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00.
Yubara Onsen: A Riverside Resort
Located on the Asahi River and close to Yubara Lake, it is located in a stunning landscape, perfect for those seeking an escape into nature, with a little added luxury. Yubara Onsen is known for having one of the few remaining mixed outdoor baths. As it is mixed, guests can wear swimsuits at the Sunayu - prohibited in the majority of regular hot springs. As many visitors can be hesitant to strip off for a hot spring, it is a fabulous opportunity to try the restorative weak-alkaline waters and an outdoor bath, surrounded by trees and beside the nearby river. The town has a dedicated hot spring museum, the Hanzaki Center (giant salamander information center) and both the Sorinji Buddhist Temple and Hinomisaki Shinto Shrine are interesting sightseeing spots.
Getting to Yubara Onsen
From Okayama Station, visitors can take a bus to Katsuyama Bus Station and then a second bus to Yubara Onsen-guchi, taking two hours and 35 minutes, with less frequent direct busses run by Ryobi Express, taking an hour and a half and costing approximately 2,600 yen. Alternatively, it is also 8-minutes drive from the Chugoku Expressway Mimasaka Interchange.
From Kurashiki Station, it is possible to take the local JR Sanyo Line to Okayama (about 18 minutes, 330 yen) and then on to Yubara Onsen-guchi bus stop, as above. Alternatively, it is a one-hour and 20-minute journey by car from Kurashiki direct to Yubara Onsen.
Hanayashiki Hotel: Rooftop Bathing
Hanayashiki is one of the town’s most popular hotels, with traditional Japanese-style rooms complete with tatami and screen doors. The outdoor and indoor baths are a great relaxation option and there is a restaurant serving traditional Japanese cuisine with local specialties from Okayama. The baths are available to non-guests and are located on the roof, with private baths available for reservation.
Spot Information
- Name: Hanayashiki (湯原温泉 湯快感 花やしき)
- Address: 21 Yubara Onsen, Maniwa, Okayama
- Location: The hotel is located on the east side of the Asahi River, south of the Yorisoi Bridge.
- Access: The hotel is a few minutes’ walk from the town’s main bus stop, Yubara Onsen-guchi.
- Hours: Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is until 10:00
Hakkei: River Views
A little closer to the lake, Hakkei Hotel is another popular ryokan with hot springs and river views. It is close to the popular public baths and the Yubara Dam Observatory and makes for a great base to explore the town. It has a combination of Western and Japanese rooms, with a restaurant, bar and includes the option to book a room with a private hot spring on the balcony.
Spot Information
- Name: Hakkei (湯原温泉 八景)
- Address: 1572 Toyosaka, Maniwa, Okayama
- Location: Accessed by a suspension bridge, it is on the west side of the river, close to the famous outdoor baths and the dam.
- Access: The hotel is a short walk from the town’s central bus stop but also offers transfers from Kurayoshi Station, taking approximately 30 minutes.
- Hours: Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is until 11:00.
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