We visited “Yoake Yakuto Onsen” in Kawashita, Hita, Ōita. “Yakuto” (薬湯 in Japanese) means “Medicinal Thermal Water.”

The owner Masako welcomed us with a smile at the reception. She has been practicing classical Japanese dance, thus her posture is good.

The dressing room is big and clean. Also, there are lockers to keep your valuables safe.

The bathroom has a wall of rocks. The hot spring water has a gentle touch, and the temperature is 40°C|104°F to 41°C|105.8°F which is suitable for a long soak. Frequent bathers say this hot spring is good for skin.

The chloride spring naturally rises up from 1500 meters below the ground, and contains fine bubbles which you can see around the faucet. This hot spring has a moisturizing effect and can warm the body thoroughly. Hence, sometimes bathers forget to bring back their outerwear after bathing.

Eiichi (the name of the man) comes to Yoake Yakuto Onsen every week. He really loves this hot spring.

This is the medicinal bath which is indicated in the name “Yakuto” (薬湯 in Japanese, which means Medicinal Thermal Water). It contains eight medicinal herbs called “Kampo” in Japanese, and the effect of the herbs makes you feel hotter than the actual bath temperature. Bathers should get in and out this bath several times to warm up the body thoroughly.

Yoake Yakuto Onsen opened 33 years ago as a medicinal hot spring spa. At that time, there was only a medicinal bath. And three years later, a hot spring was drilled and then a hot spring bath was constructed as well. Currently, a lot of regular visitors come to Yoake Yakuto Onsen attracted by its water quality, some of them come from a distance.

Finally, Enka (Japanese traditional ballad) music is always played in Yoake Yakuto Onsen. So, you will take a bath with its sound. This is because a man can kill time to wait his/her partner (generally husband or wife) without getting bored by listening to the music. It would be a unique but good service.

MAP

INFORMATION

Name: Yoake Yakuto Onsen

Address: 714-3 Kawashita, Hita, Ōita

Tel: 0973-27-2809

Access (Car): 1 hour 28 min from the centre of Oita City. 1 hour 30 min from the Oita airport

Parking Lot: 40

Opening Hours: 10:00 - 21:00

Closing Days: Tuesday

Price: JPY 450