TRAVEL GUIDANCE

Relax in a hot spring bath

Though Yakushima is not a volcanic island, it is blessed with several natural hot springs (onsen 温泉 in Japanese).  The temperatures of each onsen vary.  The seaside onsens hover around  35 – 40℃ while the hottest onsen (Onoaida Onsen 尾之間温泉) is a steaming 48℃.

A unique feature is that a couple of the Yakushima onsens are actually by the sea and one of them is only accessible when the tide is low.  You may be lucky enough to get the onsen and sea view all to yourself, or you could find yourself sharing it with elderly locals and other tourists.

With the drastic increase of international tourism to Japan and Yakushima, the number of visitors to the island`s onsen have inevitably increased.  For residents of Yakushima these onsen are a part of their daily bathing routine and therefore we request that you respect the local bathing etiquette and keep on the good side of the locals as they could easily begin to prohibit visitors from using their bath.

How to take an onsen (a beginner’s guide!)

Follow the onsen etiquette of washing yourself outside the bath before entering the onsen (there are always plastic washing bowls available for your use).

Most onsens provide soap and shampoo, or have them available to purchase.

When using a shower, it is polite to sit down so as to avoid splashing other people.

If you are at a seaside onsen and there isn’t a shower available, simply scoop water out of the pool and thoroughly rinse yourself off before getting into the onsen.

It’s fine to wrap a small towel around you or use a sarong to preserve your modesty, but the signs state that swimming costumes are not permitted.

If your hair is long, put it up or wrap it in a towel to stop hair getting in the bath.

Many onsen in Japan do not allow people with tattoos into the bath.

Yakushima is a little less conservative on this issue.  Tattoos are still a rarity in Japan and, though no one is likely to mistake you for a Japanese gangster, tattoos still have negative yakuza (Japanese mafia) connotations.  Save yourself an awkward situation and cover any tattoos whilst using an onsen or public bath.

Find your Onsen

Tel: 0997-44-2800 Time: 09:00 – 19:00 Entry: 300 yen / Child 150 yen

Tel: 0997-47-2953 Time: 3 hours between high tide & low tide Entry: 200 yen (donation)

Tel: 0997-47-2872 Time: 07:00 – 21:00 (Monday’s 12:00 – 21:00) Entry: 200 yen / Child 100 yen