Ryūga Onsen

Kochi · 龍河温泉

Ryūga Onsen is a hot spring town in Kochi, Japan. The water leaves the ground at 23°C, cool enough that the baths here are usually reheated. It measures pH 9.4 — strongly alkaline. Officially the water is classed as simple spring. 1 inns take visitors here.

Getting there

From Kyoto / Osakaabout 4 h

CarTaxi from the station

JR PassCovers the train

Train to Tosa-Yamada Station (JR)
By car or taxi, about 8 min

Fly into Kansai (KIX) or Itami. Times are rough estimates worked out from station locations, not a timetable — check the exact route on Google Maps.

Simple 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.

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.