[Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture] Introducing the hot springs of Tosashimizu [Outdoor baths with spectacular views]
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We will introduce hot spring facilities in Tosashimizu City, including Ashizuri Onsen, which was discovered about 1,200 years ago. When Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi, built Kongofukuji Temple, he is said to have soothed his fatigue by bathing in hot water that gushed forth from a nearby stream.
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The Hata region of Kochi Prefecture is located at the southwestern tip of Shikoku, and is a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean, facing Tosa Bay to the east and Bungo Channel to the west. It is made up of three cities, two towns, and one village: Hara Village. It is a natural powerhouse rich in blessings, including the nationally famous Shimanto River and Cape Ashizuri, the blessings of the Kuroshio Current that flows along the coast, and the blessings of mountains that boast the largest area of forests in the country.
About hot springs in Tosashimizu City
The footsteps of Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi, who has left his mark on legends all over Japan, can also be seen here in Tosashimizu City, and there are many sights to see, such as the Seven Wonders of Cape Ashizuri and the Minokoshi Coast of Tatsukushi.
One such episode is said to be the origin of Ashizuri Onsen, when Kukai was building Kongofukuji Temple in 822, he soothed his fatigue by bathing in hot water gushing from a nearby stream.
We will also introduce a special hot spring overlooking Ogi Beach, known as a great surfing spot, and the only public bath in Tosashimizu City, which, although not a natural hot spring, has been in business for over 100 years.
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Table of Contents
- What is Ashizuri Onsenkyo?
- John Man Travel Campaign is underway!
- Accommodations where you can use the hot springs of Ashizuri Onsenkyo
- Ashizuri International Hotel
- TheMANA Village *Day trip bathing available
- Hotel Ashizurien
- Hotel Kaijokan
- Ashizuri Sunnyside Hotel
- Minshuku Nishida
- Ashizuri Therme (natural hot springs and saunas are currently closed) *Day trip bathing available
- Spots of Cape Ashizuri
- Hot springs in Oki area
- Kaiyu no Yu (hot spring of healing) *Day trip bathing available (advance reservation required)
- Spots in the Ogi area
- [Extra Edition] Asahiyu: A public bath that encapsulates the history of the port town of Tosashimizu
What is Ashizuri Onsenkyo?
First, there is Ashizuri Onsen, a hot spring resort that represents Tosashimizu City.
You can soak in Ashizuri Onsen at several accommodations in the Ashizuri Cape area, home to the scenic Cape Ashizuri, about a 20-minute drive from the center of Tosashimizu city.
As mentioned above, the hot spring has a long history and is closely related to the construction of Kongofukuji Temple, which was founded 1,200 years ago. Since then, it has been used by local people to relieve fatigue and heal wounds. However, it is said that the hot spring stopped flowing due to crustal movement caused by the Ansei Nankai earthquake in 1854, known as the "Year of the Tiger."
After that, during the Heisei era, drilling surveys were carried out, and in 1999, the history of Ashizuri Onsen Village began anew.
About the spring quality and efficacy
High-quality natural hot spring containing radon that gushes out from the "steam beach"
The spring quality is a simple, weakly radioactive spring (weakly alkaline, hypotonic, cold mineral spring), and it is effective for neuralgia, poor circulation, joint pain, chronic digestive disorders, and muscle pain (all of the above are taken from the Ashizuri Onsenkyo website).
John Man Travel Campaign is underway!
This is a lodging campaign that uses the local currency app, "chiica."
For more information, please see the special page on the Tosashimizu City Tourism Association website.
Offer ends while stocks last.
Accommodations where you can use the hot springs of Ashizuri Onsenkyo
Ashizuri International Hotel
*Part of the John Man Travel Campaign . This hotel is located at the gateway to the Ashizuri area.
As part of the hotel's unique menu, you can enjoy stargazing on the hotel rooftop or an early morning walk to the scenic Hakusan Cave Mon.
Access to Ashizuri International Hotel
Access by car
From the center of Tosashimizu city, take Prefectural Route 27 westbound (towards Nakahama and Ohama) for about 20 minutes. The facility is located along the prefectural road, so just follow the road to arrive.
Access by public transport
About 1 minute walk from Kochi Southwest Bus stop in front of Ashizuri International Hotel
TheMANA Village *Day trip bathing available
* Facilities eligible for the John Man Travel Campaign
This hotel is located at the westernmost part of the Ashizuri area.
In March 2022, the hotel name was changed from "Ashizuri Pacific Hotel Hanatsubaki" and it has become one of the largest resort areas in Shikoku.
This facility offers day-trip hot springs (except during peak seasons).
Access to TheMANA Village
Access by car
From the center of Tosashimizu city, take Prefectural Highway 27 Westbound (towards Nakahama and Ohama), approximately 15 minutes. Look for a sign on the left side of the road that says "2.0km to Cape Ashizuri." Turn right at the Y-shaped intersection ahead and after about 100m there is a road on the right that leads down to a parking lot.
Access by public transport
About 1 minute walk from Kochi Southwest Bus stop in front of TheMANA Village
Please note that only the westbound route (via Nakahama and Ohama) stops in front of TheMANA Village.
Hotel Ashizurien
* Facilities eligible for the John Man Travel Campaign
Located at the easternmost point in the Ashizuri area, this hotel is close to Hakusan Cave Gate, Kongofukuji Temple, and Cape Ashizuri Observatory.
Its predecessor, the Takemasa Ryokan, has a history of appearing in the famous novel "Ashizurimisaki" by Torahiko Tamiya.
Access to Hotel Ashizurien
Access by car
From the center of Tosashimizu city, take Prefectural Route 27 westbound (towards Nakahama and Ohama) for about 20 minutes. The facility is located along the prefectural road, so just follow the road to arrive.
Access by public transport
About 1 minute walk from the Kochi Southwest Bus stop, Manjiro Ashiyu-mae
Hotel Kaijokan
* Facilities eligible for the John Man Travel Campaign
This hotel is located midway in the Ashizuri area.
This hotel is an attractive facility with all rooms offering ocean views.
Access to Hotel Kaijokan
Access by car
From the center of Tosashimizu city, take Prefectural Route 27 westbound (towards Nakahama and Ohama) for about 20 minutes. The facility is located along the prefectural road, so just follow the road to arrive.
Access by public transport
Take the Kochi Southwest Bus to the Ashizuri International Hotel stop, then walk for about 1 minute
Ashizuri Sunnyside Hotel
* Facilities eligible for the John Man Travel Campaign
This hotel is located in the Matsuo area, just west of the Ashizuri area.
The annex, Misaki no Kaze, which also has rooms where you can stay with pets, was renovated in 2024.
Access to Ashizuri Sunnyside Hotel
Access by car
About 15 minutes from the center of Tosashimizu City. Take Prefectural Route 27 Westbound (towards Nakahama and Ohama), go through the Matsuo Tunnel, and turn right about 1.7 km ahead.
Access by public transport
Take the Kochi Southwest Bus to the Sunnyside Hotel stop, then walk for about 1 minute
Minshuku Nishida
* Facilities eligible for the John Man Travel Campaign
This is currently the only guesthouse where you can enjoy the natural hot springs of Ashizuri Onsenkyo.
This is located in an area close to the Isa district, where the fishing port of Cape Ashizuri is located.
There is good access to sightseeing boats and fishing boats from Isa Fishing Port.
Additionally, it is the lowest altitude of all the accommodation facilities in the Ashizuri area, and is located very close to the sea.
Access to Minshuku Nishida
Access by car
From the center of Tosashimizu city, head west on Prefectural Highway 27 (towards Nakahama and Ohama), about 20 minutes. Look for a sign on the left side of the road that says "2.0km to Cape Ashizuri." Turn right at the Y-shaped intersection ahead, and after about 250m there is a road on the right that leads down to Minshuku Nishida.
(Look for the sign that says "Onsen Bath Minshuku Nishida 500m")
Access by public transport
Get off at Kochi Southwest Transportation TheMANA Village-mae bus stop and walk for about 10 minutes (about 650m)
Ashizuri Therme (natural hot springs and saunas are currently closed) *Day trip bathing available
Of all the lodgings in Ashizuri Onsenkyo where you can enjoy natural hot springs, this one is located at the highest altitude above sea level.
The property has been closed since April 2024, but reopened in October 2024 under a new management company.
The natural hot springs and sauna are currently closed due to repairs.
*
How to get to Asizuri Terme
Access by car
About 20 minutes from the center of Tosashimizu City. Follow Prefectural Route 27 westbound (towards Nakahama and Ohama), turn left at the end of Prefectural Route 348 (Ashizuri Skyline) (the white building you see directly ahead is Ashizuri Terme)
From there, follow the road for about 500m and you will see the entrance on your right.
Access by public transport
Take the Kochi Southwest Bus to the Ashizuri International Hotel stop, then walk for about 20 minutes. Hotel pick-up and drop-off is available between Ashizuri Cape and Ashizuri Bus Center (parking lot in front of Ashizuri International Hotel) (please enquire)
Spots of Cape Ashizuri
Cape Ashizuri and Kongofukuji Temple
Accommodations within walking distance: Hotel Ashizurien (approx. 500 m)
Hotel Kaijokan/Ashizuri International Hotel (approx. 1 km)
Hakusan Cave and Manjiro Footbath
Accommodations within walking distance: Hotel Ashizurien (approx. 100m)
Hotel Kaijokan/Ashizuri International Hotel (approx. 400m)
Hot springs in Oki area
Located along the national highway overlooking Ogi Coast, a curved white sand beach that stretches for about 1,500 meters, is Umiyu-no-Yu, the only place in Tosashimizu City other than Ashizuri Onsenkyo where you can experience natural hot springs.
Kaiyu no Yu (hot spring of healing) *Day trip bathing available (advance reservation required)
* Facilities eligible for the John Man Travel Campaign only when staying overnight
The spring quality is sodium chloride bicarbonate low temperature spring (alkaline extended low temperature spring).
The water temperature is 28℃, so it is technically a hot spring rather than a cold spring, but because the water temperature is low, it is heated before being served.
As for heating, the owner prefers to use firewood.
*For day trips, the baths are private and must be reserved in advance. The phone number is not public, so please contact us via the official website below.
Access to Umiyu no Yu
Access by car
Approximately 7 km from the center of Tosashimizu City (approximately 10 minutes)
Located along National Route 321, look for the white 8-story building
Approximately 25 km (approximately 30 minutes) from Shimanto City (Nakamura Station)
Access by public transport
Take the Kochi Southwest Bus and get off at Kaiyu-no-Yu. It's right in front of you.
Spots in the Ogi area
[Extra Edition] Asahiyu: A public bath that encapsulates the history of the port town of Tosashimizu
*This is not a natural hot spring.
*This facility is eligible for the "Omotenashi Points" that can be earned at facilities that are part of the John Man Travel Campaign.
Located in Sakaemachi area, which was once lined with many izakayas and other establishments as Tosashimizu's downtown, this is currently the only public bath in the city.
In the past, the population exceeded 30,000, and fishing boats gathered there from all over, making it an extremely lively place. Asahiyu was one of those public baths whose regular customers were fishermen from all over the country.
Until recently, there was a public bath in Chuo-cho Shopping Street, but it closed down about 10 years ago. Now, as the only public bath in Tosashimizu City, it is a spot that attracts not only regulars, but also retro public bath and sauna fans from afar.
Access to Asahiyu
Access by car
On the west side across the road there is a parking space that can accommodate four cars.
However, please be aware that the surrounding area is an old, busy downtown area with narrow roads and pedestrians.
Approximately 32 km from Nakamura Station (approximately 45 minutes)
At the intersection of National Route 321 and Hokka Hokka Tei Shimizu Branch, head towards the harbor. Do not turn towards the Business Hotel Nansui, but go straight ahead. Turn right at the old "MITSUBISHI" sign (letters) and go about 30m.
Access by public transport
Take the Kochi Southwest Bus to Shimizu Plaza Pal and walk about 350m (about 5 minutes)
The Hata region of Kochi Prefecture is located at the southwestern tip of Shikoku, and is a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean, facing Tosa Bay to the east and Bungo Channel to the west. It is made up of three cities, two towns, and one village: Hara Village. It is a natural powerhouse rich in blessings, including the nationally famous Shimanto River and Cape Ashizuri, the blessings of the Kuroshio Current that flows along the coast, and the blessings of mountains that boast the largest area of forests in the country.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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