If you are looking for places to enjoy a relaxing onsen bath in and around Fukuoka, then look no further! This onsen guide will share some of the top places you can visit during your stay for both solo and family travelers.
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Fukuoka Day Trip Onsens
Here are some onsens that make for good day trips if you are staying in Fukuoka City. These can be accessed relatively easily by public transportation or taxi.
Namiha-no-Yu (波葉の湯)
- Address: 13-1 Chikkohonmachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0021, Japan
- Website
- Baths: Outdoor, Indoor, Family (first come first served)
- Other Points: Bedrock sauna, steam sauna, restaurant, massage service, reading space
Namiha-no-Yu is a public spa located next to Hakata Port. The establishment is large and multiple baths are available both inside and outside. Depending on the day, there may be special scented water in the baths. Family baths are available, but reservations are not accepted. There are large spaces for relaxing outside of the baths as well as several hot stone rooms. The website states that guests with tattoos are not allowed to enter.
Close to Namiha-no-Yu, I recommend the sushi and seafood restaurant called Hakata Toyoichi. From the port, you can take a boat to explore nearby spots like Uminonakamichi Sea Side Park, Shikanoshima, and Iki Island.
Nakagawa Seiryu (那珂川清滝)
- Address: 326 Nameri, Nakagawa, Fukuoka 811-1236, Japan
- Website
- Baths: Outdoor, Indoor, Family (weekday reservations only)
- Other Points: Relaxing space, restaurant, sauna, free shuttle service from Ohashi Station
Nakagawa Seiryu is located next to the Nakagawa River in a quiet area far from the city’s bustle. You can easily reach this spot using the free shuttle bus service provided that picks guests up from Ohashi Station. See more access details here). You can spend a great half-day at this spa as there are many different baths to enjoy, spaces to lounge, and a restaurant on the premises. On weekends, the family baths are filled with rubber ducks! (Reservations are only allowed on weekdays and rooms can’t be rented out by solo guests).
Izuminoyu (いづみ乃湯)
- Address: 1 Chome-6-30 Shinaikawa, Kurume, Fukuoka 839-0865, Japan
- Website
- Baths: Family Baths (no reservations, for families or solo visitors)
Venturing further from the city is another great hot spring spot called Izuminoyu. This establishment only has private rooms making it a great place for families or for those who aren’t comfortable bathing in front of strangers. Each private room includes an indoor and outdoor bath with prices varying based on the size of the room. On weekdays, solo bathers can enjoy a discount, renting out an entire room for only 900 yen an hour. Reservations are not accepted, but you can check the wait times for the different rooms on the website. I found the privacy great and the water very hot!
See what it is like bathing at Izuminoyu in the video below.
Nearby is a youme Town mall for shopping and food. The Daihonzan Naritasan Kurume Temple is a 20-minute drive away and offers an up-close view of a towering Kannon Statue.
Kihachi-so (喜八荘)
- Address: 3504-1 Nijoyoshii, Itoshima, Fukuoka 819-1641, Japan
- Website
- Baths: Outdoor, Indoor
- Other Points: Attached seafood restaurant and accommodations
Kihachi-so is a public hot spring destination located in Itoshima, Fukuoka. There are 2 baths provided for each gender, one indoor and one outdoor. On a nice day, you can see different islands from across the sea. Make the most of your visit by spending a night at the attached accommodation (in a room that overlooks the sea), and having a seafood meal.
See the baths, hotel, and restaurant in this video!
Itoshima makes for a great day or overnight trip from Fukuoka City. If you want to know more things to do in Itoshima, check out this guide!
Other Onsen Destinations
Outside of Fukuoka, there are many other wonderful places to enjoy an onsen bath. Since these places are further away from central Fukuoka, I recommend planning for an overnight stay.
Kurokawa Onsen
Kurokawa Onsen is a great destination for onsen lovers. In this quiet mountain village, visitors can take part in the area’s popular onsen hopping deal called “Yumeguri” (湯めぐり). Visit three different hot springs for a reasonable fee, receiving a stamp at each place visited.
Since there are around 30 different ryokans in the village, each with hot spring baths, there are many options to choose from. In addition to standard, gender-separated outdoor onsens, there are other types like cave onsens, mixed gender onsens, cold baths, saunas, and standing onsens.
Drive or take the Highway Bus to Kurokawa Onsen. Learn more about visiting Kurokawa Onsen here.
Yufuin
Last on this list is the onsen town, Yufuin, in Oita Prefecture. You can reach here in just a few hours by bus or train from Hakata Station. (Reservations recommended).
Yamanohotel Musouen is a few minutes away from the center of town and boasts magnificent views of Mt. Yufu from the open-air bath. Book a stay at the hotel for a luxury time or opt for a drop-in soak.
Planning a trip to Yufuin? Check out this guide for things to do and eat!
Onsen Etiquette
Finally, since it can be a bit confusing to bathe in a Japanese onsen, here are a few general pointers.
- Take your shoes off at the front entrance.
- Remove your valuables and clothes and place them in the provided lockers or baskets. (You cannot enter the baths with a swimsuit on or with a towel wrapped around your body.) You can take a small towel with you into the bathing area, but this towel should not enter the water.
- Wash your body and hair while sitting on the stool. (If you don’t wash your hair, make sure it is tied up).
- After you have washed and rinsed off, you can dip into the baths. Make sure to keep your hair out of the water. Swimming is not allowed and dipping your head under is not considered sanitary.
- After you have finished soaking, rinse off in the wash area and head back to the changing room.
- You can use the provided hairdryers and body products.
Are Tattoos Allowed in Onsens?
Because of taboos, several onsens do not allow tattooed bathers to enter. (This information is usually written on the business webpage.) If you have small tattoos, you can generally cover them with a tattoo sticker and be fine, but if you have concerns, it is best to check beforehand. You can also avoid difficulties by renting a private bathing room instead.
Enjoy your trip to Kyushu and bathing in the region’s onsens!