“Tsurezure-no-yu” is probably at the top our list for being the best ‘Onsen’ or natural hot-spring Japanese bath-house. Located in the Onsen town of Yunomoto, this west Kagoshima district is famed for its hydrogen sulphide rich waters giving it that slightly eggy gassy smell. But don’t let that smell put you off because those who dare are rewarded with a body-tension removing 42-degree hot spring bath in the old traditional Japanese bathhouse style. But more on that later.
Upon arrival at Tsurezure-no-yu, you are greeted by a wooden building resembling Taisho period style with ponds and a small garden. The onsen baths are rotated weekly between the ‘ishiburo’ (stone bathhouse) and the ‘kiburo’ (wooden bathhouse). Sometimes the women’s bath will be in the wooden one and the men’s will be in the stone one. Pictured here is the inside of the wooden bathhouse.
There are saunas in both bath types and also a garden or ‘rotenburo’bath which has cold water in it to cool you down after spending some time in the sauna.
The water as I have said previously comes out of the tap at 42 degrees Celsius which is perfect because some other bathhouses have water coming out at much higher temperatures but we find these to be a tad too hot. Aside from the smell of sulphur, the next thing you notice is that the water feels so silky smooth to your skin. This is a property of the waters in this area. Although not the silkiest feel I have ever tried, it is up there with the best. The thing that makes this bathhouse special is the beautiful design and attention to detail right down to the areas to store your shoes and clothes.
The owner of the bathhouse has asked to keep this place a secret for locals only as they have more than enough custom to keep them very profitable. 🙂