We visited Yabakei Onsen “Wakayama Onsen” in Yabakeimachi Ōaza Shinyaba, Nakatsu, Ōita.

The owner Chieko welcomed us at the reception. In Wakayama Onsen, you should pay the entrance fee at the restaurant.

At the back of the restaurant, you can find a hot spring. This is a mixed bath.

The dressing room is very simple. As there are no lockers, keep your valuables by your own risk.

The bath is located right next to the river, and you can enjoy the river view while bathing. This bathtub was hand-made by the Chieko’s father 40 years ago.

The water is simple thermal spring, and the touch is really smooth. Wakayama Onsen is suitable for a long soak as the temperature is moderate. Frequent bathers say this hot spring is good for skin.

Toshihiro is a frequent bather coming from Nakatsu City. He used to be a professional cameraman.

If you don’t want to take the mixed bath, don’t worry there is gender-separated indoor baths which contain the same water.

She is the owner Chieko. She used to run only the restaurant, but started running the public bathhouse 40 years ago because the hot spring, which she originally drilled for her family use, was highly reputed by the locals. As Wakayama Onsen has almost never been advertised, it is only known to special people.

What is special in Wakayma Onsen is the sight from the open-air bath. You can enjoy the nature of Yabakei in every season, such as cherry blossom in spring, fireflies in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and white snow in winter. Wakayama Onsen is a unique place where you can feel the season from the open-air bath.

MAP

INFORMATION

Name: Wakayama Onsen (Yabakei Onsen)

Address: 3263 Yabakeimachi Ōaza Shinyaba, Nakatsu, Ōita

Tel: 0979-55-2063

Access (Car): 1 hour 15 min from the centre of Oita City. 1 hour 17 min from the Oita airport

Parking Lot: 30

Opening Hours: 10:30 - 20:00 (last entry at 19:30)

Closing Days: Not specified

Price: JPY 300