Kawayu Onsen
川湯温泉43°38′ N 144°26′ EOnsen town¥500Tattoos welcome
Kawayu's acidic water runs down a hot river through the middle of town, and its little public bath lets tattoos in for ¥500.
Photo pakku · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Know before you bathe
Take off watches and jewellery; the acid corrodes metal. Keep the water out of your eyes. Yukichi sells soap and towels instead of supplying them, and it’s closed on Wednesdays.
Getting there
On Route 391 in Teshikaga; about 10 minutes by bus from JR Kawayu Onsen Station.
A river of hot water runs straight through Kawayu, and the whole town smells of sulphur from the fumaroles of Iozan just up the road. Its Ainu name is Sesek-pet, which means hot river.
The water is a strongly acidic sulphur and alum spring. It stings cuts and eyes, and it'll corrode a watch, so take the metal off before you get in. Because the acid would eat through filtration machinery, every bath in town runs straight from the source.
For a soak, the public bath Yukichi charges ¥500 for three indoor tubs at different heats, and tattoos are fine. Soap and towels are for sale at the counter. On the way out, stop at the free foot bath at JR Kawayu Onsen Station.
Quick answers about Kawayu Onsenよくある質問
Can you bathe at Kawayu Onsen with tattoos?
Yes. Kawayu Onsen welcomes bathers with tattoos.
Can you visit Kawayu Onsen without staying the night?
Yes. Kawayu Onsen sells day entry at ¥500 (2026).
What are the opening hours of Kawayu Onsen?
Kawayu Onsen: kawayu public bath Yukichi: 11:00–18:30 weekdays, 10:00–18:00 weekends; closed Wednesdays. Free foot baths in town and at JR Kawayu Onsen Station.
How much does Kawayu Onsen cost?
Prices at Kawayu Onsen start at ¥500 (2026).
Within 25 km
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