Amakusa Shimoda Onsen Guide: "Natural Lotion" Hot Springs & Best Day-Trip Spots

• Table of Contents
• Why Shimoda Onsen? Pure Thermal Water Perfect for Your Road Trip
• Top 2 Day-Trip Hot Springs You Can Visit Without a Reservation
• Best Onsen Ryokans: Savor Fresh Seafood and Scenic Views
• Access information

Why Shimoda Onsen? Pure Thermal Water Perfect for Your Road Trip

Shimoda Onsen is affectionately known by various nicknames, such as "Cleansing Hot Spring," "Beautiful Skin Hot Spring," and " Shirasagi Onsen ." Legend has it that the hot spring was discovered about 700 years ago in a place where a white heron was healing its wounds.

Shimoda Onsen is slightly alkaline with a pH of around 7.84, and bathing in it leaves your skin feeling smooth and moisturized. The water is a sodium bicarbonate chloride spring, and is known to be effective for treating cuts, gout, neuralgia, and sensitivity to cold.

Furthermore, Shimoda Onsen is a pure, natural hot spring that is "not boiled, diluted, or circulated." The water, which is 51 degrees Celsius at the source, reaches the perfect temperature of 40-42 degrees Celsius by the time it reaches the bath area, so you can soak in extremely fresh water that is not heated, diluted, or circulated.

Shimoda Onsen has been recognized for its excellent spring quality, history of many people coming to take therapeutic baths, and well-developed tourist resources, and was designated as a People's Health Resort Spring in 1963. Even in Kumamoto Prefecture, which is rich in hot springs, there are only three places designated as People's Health Resort Spring , including Shimoda Onsen.

Shimoda Onsen has long been a popular hot spring resort, welcoming many visitors for its healing properties and providing a place to refresh the body and mind. In this article, we will introduce the best spots for a hot spring tour of Shimoda Onsen.

Top 2 Day-Trip Hot Springs You Can Visit Without a Reservation

Shimoda Onsen gathers three hot springs in one place and distributes the water to each inn. The main facilities are concentrated within a 200m radius, making it the perfect environment for walking around the hot springs. We will introduce two hot spring spots that you can easily drop in to without making a reservation.

Experience Shimoda Onsen casually! "Shimoda Onsen Gosoku no Yu"

Shimoda Onsen Gosoku no Yu that anyone can use for free from 10:00 to 20:00. It's the perfect place to soothe tired feet after a long drive.

The landmark is a giant foot-shaped sign, which is so striking you'll want to take a photo.

One of the four hot springs that flows into Shimoda Onsen Gosoku no Yu comes from a source directly behind the facility, so the water around the outlet remains very hot even in winter.

You can enjoy the foot bath to your liking, feeling the different temperatures on your skin depending on where you sit, such as on the wooden bench or the rocks near the spout. The hot spring is colorless and transparent, but the brown and yellow deposits on the rocks at the spout give you a visual sense of the rich ingredients that only natural hot springs can provide.

Shimoda Onsen is said to be effective against poor circulation, and even a foot bath is extremely effective! Soaking for 10 to 20 minutes will warm you up from your toes to your entire body. The increased blood circulation will cause you to sweat gently, and you'll feel as if you're being relaxed from the inside out. Stop by before sightseeing, warm up your body thoroughly, and then enjoy the surroundings.

Shimoda Onsen Gosoku no Yu

1310-3 Shimoda, Amakusa Town, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, 863-2...

This is a spot where anyone can soak their feet in a foot bath for free from 10am to 8pm. The hot spring source is located just behind the foot bath, so you can enjoy the warmth of the hot spring even in winter.

Amakusa City Shimoda Onsen Center Shirasagikan: Enjoy three different types of baths

Located in the middle of the hot spring town , Amakusa City Shimoda Onsen Center Shirasagikan is a spot where anyone can enjoy a day trip to the hot springs without making a reservation.

They also sell local Amakusa specialties and souvenirs, so it's recommended for those who want to enjoy not only hot springs but also gourmet food.

At Shirasagikan, you can bathe in three different hot springs: "Murayu," a communal bath that is deeply rooted in the lives of local residents; "Hot Spring Center," where you can also enjoy a sauna and jet bath; and "Private Bath," where you can spend some private time.

The hot spring center is fully equipped with facilities such as a large public bath, sauna, cold bath, jet bath, and open-air bath.

The indoor bath is filled with abundant natural hot spring water and has excellent lighting. The baths are divided into hot and lukewarm, so you can enjoy alternating baths or change the bath depending on your physical condition, allowing you to enjoy your own bathing style.

The open-air bath is decorated in a Japanese style with rocks and trees. The tranquil scenery, with light filtering through the trees and the clear sky reflected on the surface of the bath, is sure to soothe your soul.

Beloved by locals, Murayu-yu has experienced staff adjust the water volume to a higher temperature than the hot spring center. It's set a little hot at around 42 degrees, but some regular customers say they can't relax without this heat and enjoy long, relaxing baths. If you want to try the hot water, try purchasing a Murayu ticket from the ticket machine.

The hot spring water at Shirasagikan is said to be effective against diabetes and gout, and some enthusiasts use it daily, applying it to their skin like a lotion.

Be sure to check it out as a day-trip bathing spot.

Official website:

Amakusa City Shimoda Onsen Center Shirasagikan

1290-1 Shimodakita, Amakusa-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, 86...

There is the public bath "Murayu," loved by locals, as well as the fully equipped "Hot Spring Center" and "Private Baths." The temperature is controlled daily by skilled staff who adjust the amount of water without adding water, heating, or circulating it. The Hot Spring Center also has an open-air bath.

Best Onsen Ryokans: Savor Fresh Seafood and Scenic Views

We will introduce two inns that not only offer hot springs, but also delicious meals and relaxing rooms.

" Boyokaku " is packed with the charm of Amakusa

With a view of the sea right in front of you, Boyokaku is a long-established inn founded in 1935. You can enjoy ocean views from the lobby, observation deck, and throughout the hotel, and take in the gorgeous scenery of the sparkling sea surface and the setting sun in every season.

As you head to the large public bath at Boyokaku, you'll be greeted by a limited-time blackboard art display. It's all handwritten, and features a map of Amakusa and the history of the hot springs, along with heartwarming illustrations.

The inn's pride and joy, the large public baths, are uniquely designed with elaborate Roman-style elements for both men and women.

The natural light filtering in through the stained glass beautifully colors the surface of the bath, and the bath is complemented by a Japanese-style wooden bucket, creating a unique blend of Japanese and Western styles.

Although it is an indoor bath, the open space is perfect for a relaxing bath. You can stimulate your body with the waterfall bath or loosen up your body in the indoor bath, and spend your time relaxing in any way you like.

Dinner, the highlight of your stay, is a creative kaiseki course meal based on the theme of local production and consumption, focusing on seafood from the Amakusa area and other fresh ingredients. You can enjoy seasonal delicacies such as Ise lobster, which is harvested every August, thick black abalone, and sweet and rich sea urchin.

Furthermore, all of the plates used are made from ceramics produced in Amakusa pottery studios. Made from white, fine-grained Amakusa Pottery Stone, the ceramics bring out the beauty of the seafood.

The lobby is also lined with ceramics made from Amakusa Pottery Stone, so if you're interested, be sure to ask for recommendations from potteries.

At dusk, be sure to visit Boyokaku 's observation deck. You can enjoy mural art painted by local students, the beautiful sunset over the horizon, and the beauty of the sea sparkling like a jewel.

A stay at Boyokaku , which is packed with the charms of Amakusa - gourmet food, spectacular views, and hot springs - will give you the opportunity to learn more about the wonders of this area.

Official website:

Boyokaku

1201 Shimodakita, Amakusa-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, 863-...

This inn boasts ocean views that can be seen from anywhere in the building. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the sun setting over the horizon. The unique Roman-style indoor bath is also a highlight.

Yumehotaru: Enjoy the luxury of fresh seasonal seafood

Yumehotaru is a hot spring inn located in the center of Shimoda Onsen town. Run by an owner who also runs a fish shop, the inn allows you to enjoy fresh seafood caught at the local fishing port all year round.

The " Ise Lobster Festival" is held from the end of August to mid-December, when Ise lobster is in season, and tables are filled with a variety of luxurious Ise lobster dishes, including boiled lobster, sashimi, and miso soup. The firm, Ise is an exceptional delicacy that pairs well with alcohol.

At other times of the year, rare seafood such as blue crab, abalone, and tiger prawns are served on the dining table. The elaborate and varied dishes are generous enough to satisfy even the most discerning gourmets.

The exceptional cuisine, which brings out the best in the flavors of carefully selected ingredients, will gently soothe your travel fatigue.

The rooms are mostly Japanese-style, but there are also Japanese-Western style and maisonette-style rooms available, allowing for flexible accommodation options for large groups or those traveling with small children.

The hot springs, which are the highlight of the facility, are divided into an indoor bath and an open-air bath. The indoor bath is gorgeously designed with colorful tiles and lanterns, and has excellent lighting. There are also several windows, making it easy to adjust the temperature. The water at the source of the bath is viscous, and feels smooth and comfortable on the skin.

The wooden-style changing room also has some interesting information about hot springs written on it, which is worth reading.

In the open-air bath, you will be greeted by a white egret, the key figure in the discovery of Shimoda Onsen, and a Shigaraki ware-yaki raccoon figurine, known as a lucky charm that brings good fortune. Shimoda Onsen was discovered over 700 years ago when a white egret was healing a wound on its foot. You can spend a unique bathing time while feeling that legend.

The water in both the indoor and outdoor baths is replaced daily, so you can always soak in high-quality, fresh hot spring water.

You can use the indoor bath as many times as you like until 8am the next morning, and the open-air bath until 10pm.

The morning of your departure will be brightened by a rich menu of dishes, including two types of dried fish, large pieces of mentaiko, as well as classic Japanese breakfast items such as pickles, tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), and kinpira (fried stir-fried vegetables).

The hospitality that only Yumehotaru can offer is that both dinner and breakfast can be enjoyed in a private room.

Until check-out time, you can spend your time however you like, such as strolling around the hot spring town or soaking in the foot bath. Yumehotaru also offers day-trip bathing, so it might be a good idea to incorporate it into your itinerary.

Yumehotaru offers seafood with the confidence that only a fishmonger can provide, and boasts the largest open-air bath in Amakusa . Be sure to choose it as your stay to rest your mind and body.

Official website:

Yumehotaru

1366-1 Shimoda, Amakusa Town, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, 863-2...

This inn is run by an owner who also runs a fish shop. Its appeal lies not only in its hot springs, but also in its exquisite cuisine made with fresh seafood caught at the local fishing port. It boasts the largest open-air bath in Amakusa Shimoda Onsen, allowing you to enjoy a luxurious bath with a sense of openness.

Access information

The recommended way to access Shimoda Onsen is by combining air travel and rental car.

If you are heading from Aso Kumamoto Airport, it is a three-hour drive in a rental car. Along the way, there are roadside stations and direct sales outlets selling fresh local vegetables and fruits, so you can enjoy your trip by taking detours and taking breaks.

Additionally, Amakusa Airlines from Osaka Itami, Fukuoka Airport, and Aso Kumamoto Airport to Amakusa Airport. Shimoda Onsen is easily accessible, just a 40-minute drive from Amakusa Airport, so it's recommended for those who want to focus on sightseeing in the Shimoda area.

Shimoda Onsen is a great place to explore by car, making it the perfect destination for road trips, historical walks, pottery tours, and hot spring lovers. Explore the Amakusa area while enjoying a leisurely drive along the west coast to your heart's content.