Nagayu Onsen "Ramune Onsen Kan"
With the manager Kyosuke, in front of the entrance
We visited Nagayu Onsen “Ramaune Onsen Kan” in Nagayu, Taketa, Ōita. It is well known for its strong carbonated spring. The spring was originally owned by an individual, but later contributed to the current owner. And the owner started the business 15 years ago with a small lodge, and then the lodge was renovated to the current lovely architecture in 2005.
Ramune Onsen is operated as an external bath of Daimaru Ryokan. We like this cute logo.
The manager Kyosuke welcomed us at the reception.
The dressing room is well maintained and clean. As it is not big, you might need more space if it is crowded. Also, there are lockers to keep your valuables on the way to this room.
This is the big open-air bath. It contains natural strong carbonated spring.
The water comes from the bottom of the bathtub. As the temperature is low (32°C|89.6°F), it is better to take both this bath and hot indoor bath. The carbonated spring promotes blood circulation and can treat high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.
Tetsuo (left) came from Oita, Kazumi (centre) came from Shizuoka, and Motoyuki (right) came from Aichi. This was the first time they met, but they were chatting together as if they had been old friends. They smiled like the logo of Ramune Onsen.
As soon as you get in the bath, you will see countless fine bubbles around your body like the wrist in this picture. The water contains 1380 ppm of carbon dioxide which is the highest among Nagayu Onsen. This is also one of the highest even among all hot springs in Japan.
This is the indoor bath which is filled with the carbonated spring with different temperature (41°C|105.8°F). As the spring contains a rich amount of minerals, it is coloured brown. Generally, hot water cannot be carbonated because it goes flat in a high temperature; however, this spring still contains 990 ppm of carbon dioxide. To maximize the medicinal benefit of this spring, you should take the hot bath and the cool bath one after the other.
As mentioned in the second picture, Ramune Onsen has a lovely architecture. This is designed by a famous architect Terunobu Fujimori. Looking around the building might be enjoyable.
There is another art in the garden. This is a work of a sculptor Takako Tsujihata.
Finally, Ramune Onsen actually sells ramune (soda pop). The manager believes that everything sold in an onsen should be good for the health. This soda is produced under that idea. Don’t miss this drink if you visit Ramune Onsen!
MAP
INFORMATION
Name: Ramune Onsen Kan
Address: 7676-2 Naoirimachi Ōaza Nagayu, Taketa, Ōita
Tel: 0974-75-2620
Access (Car): 1 hour 1 min from the centre of Oita City. 1 hour 30 min from the Oita airport
Parking Lot: 30
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 22:00
Closing Days: Every first Wednesday (Jan and May, second Wednesday)
Price: JPY 500
