Visiting an onsen (hot spring) is a crucial part of any trip to Japan, especially during the colder months. In Kyoto, there are plenty of onsen that are perfect for relaxation after a day out and about exploring. Most onsen are privately owned by hotels and only allow guest access, but if you’ve already made accommodation plans, no worries, because here are 4 that are open to the public.
Kurama Onsen
Kurama Onsen is only a 30 minute train ride away from the Kyoto city centre, offering an outdoor bath with a stunning view of surrounding mountains and forests. The onsen is open all year, which means that you’ll be able to enjoy a view that becomes even more magical under the winter snow. You can either enjoy the outdoor bath on its own, or pay for a package that includes use of the indoor baths as well as towels and a yukata. After your nice bath, why not grab a meal at the restaurant, and with a great selection of dishes, it will be a great way to complete your experience.
Address: 520 Kurama Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 601-1111
Opening Hours:
Onsen:
Winter: 10:30am - 8pm (last admission 7:20pm)
Rest of the Year: 10:30am - 9pm (last admission 8:20pm)
Restaurant:
11:40am - 8:45pm (last order 7:45pm)
Prices:
Indoor and Outdoor Baths Package (includes towels, yukata, and use of lounge):
Adults: 2,500 yen
Children (4 - 12): 1,600 yen
Outdoor Bath only:
Adults: 1,000 yen
Children (4 - 12): 700 yen
Telephone: +81-75-741-2131
Tenzan-no-yu Onsen
In this onsen located in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto, you have many types of baths to choose from. Apart from the usual large open-air baths, which have iron-rich waters, this onsen also offers Utane baths, where you lie down and partially submerge yourself in the healing water. There are also foot baths as well as water pots, essentially deep and large tubs which you can soak in by yourself, along with several saunas to really sweat it out.
This onsen also offers several unique services like fish therapy, where tiny fish pick away at the dead skin of your feet, and massages like the Korean Body Scrub and scalp massages. Finish up by enjoying a meal from their restaurant, and a refreshing cup of juice from their fresh juice counter. If you want a well-rounded experience, this is the onsen for you.
Address: 55-4-7 Miyanomoto-cho, Sagano, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8315
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 1am (last admission 12am)
Prices:
Adult: 1,050 yen
Children: 500 yen
Children 3 and below: Free
Rentals:
Towel Set: 200 yen
Room Wear: 300 yen
Towel Set and Room Wear: 350 yen
Telephone: +81 075-882-4126
Funaoka Onsen
More of a sento (public bath) rather than an onsen due to its lack of a natural hot spring, Funaoka Onsen is still a great place to visit if you want to have a truly authentic Japanese experience. This sento is most striking in its architecture and interior design. You’ll be amazed before you even step in, with the entryway set in between large stones. The changing rooms are also impressive, with carved wooden panels near the top of the walls, which are also covered with colourful tiles. The outdoor baths are also well-decorated, making it a pleasing experience for both your body and your eyes.
A heads-up: the signage here is all in Japanese, so be sure to brush up on your Japanese, or have a friend who is fluent, before you go.
Address: 82-1 Murasakino Minamifunaokacho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8225
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 3pm - 1am
Sunday: 8am - 1am
Prices:
Adult: 430 yen
Children: 150 yen
Children 3 and below: 60 yen
Telephone: +81 75-441-3735
Kyoto Katsura Hot Spring Resort, Nizaemon-no-yu
What makes the onsen here so different is that other than the standard hot water spring, there is also a natural cold water spring, perfect for the warmer months or for those with low heat tolerance. With waters high in minerals, this onsen is a great place to relax after your exploration of the Katsura area, known for the Katsura Imperial Villa, which you can read more about at: Journey to the West: 7 Things to do When Visiting Western Kyoto.
Address: 5, Katagihara Bonyama, Nishikyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 615-8165, Japan
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10am - 2am
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays: 8am - 2am
Prices:
Adults:
Weekdays: 700 yen
Weekends and Holidays: 850 yen
Children:
Weekdays: 350 yen
Weekends and Holidays: 450 yen
Infants (3 and below):
Weekdays: 250 yen
Weekends and Holidays: 300 yen
Telephone: +81-75-393-4500
Reminders:
- Different onsen have varying levels of acceptance towards visitors with tattoos, so be sure to do some research before your visit.
- Most onsen facilities are separated by gender, and phones are often not allowed in the baths, so discuss with your travel mates (assuming that your travel group is mixed-gender) about the amount of time you want to spend in the baths before you split up.
