Photo: Norio NAKAYAMA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Nagashima Onsen

Mie · 長島温泉

Nagashima Onsen is a hot spring town in Mie, Japan. The water leaves the ground at 60°C, hot. Officially the water is classed as simple spring, chloride spring and bicarbonate spring.

Getting there

From Nagoyaabout 1 h

From Kyoto / Osakaabout 2 h

CarNot needed

JR PassCovers the train

Train to Kuwana Station (JR)
Local bus, about 20 min

Fly into Chubu Centrair. Times are rough estimates worked out from station locations, not a timetable — check the exact route on Google Maps.

Simple springChloride springBicarbonate spring

The water here

Simple spring 単純温泉

Mild and low in dissolved minerals. Usually clear and gentle on the skin, which is why these baths are often recommended for first-timers.

Chloride spring 塩化物泉

Salty water. The salt leaves a thin film on the skin, so you stay warm well after leaving the bath.

Bicarbonate spring 炭酸水素塩泉

Smooth, slightly slippery water. Often nicknamed bihada-no-yu, the water for beautiful skin.

With tattoos

Many public baths still turn away visible tattoos, and the rule is set by each bath, not by the town. The reliable way round it is to bathe privately: a room with its own open-air bath, or an inn with a private bath you can book for yourselves.

Rooms with an open-air bath — Mie Inns with a private bath — Mie