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Kawachi Onsen

Kumamoto · 河内温泉

Kawachi Onsen is a hot spring town in Kumamoto, Japan. Officially the water is classed as simple spring and chloride spring.

Getting there

From Fukuokaabout 1 h
CarNot needed
JR PassCovers the train
  1. Train to Kumamoto Station (Shinkansen)
  2. Local bus, about 12 min

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

Simple springChloride 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.

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 — KumamotoInns with a private bath — Kumamoto

More on tattoos and onsen

Where to stay

Onsen inns — Kumamoto

Opens Rakuten Travel, which lists inns in English. Onsen Guide earns a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Similar water elsewhere

Towns further away with the same kind of water — useful if this one is hard to reach or fully booked.

Itō OnsenShizuoka · 伊東温泉Also simple and chloride
Simple springChloride spring
Mine OnsenShizuoka · 峰温泉Also simple and chloride
Simple springChloride spring
Ushio OnsenShimane · 海潮温泉Also simple and chloride
Simple springChloride spring
Nagashima OnsenMie · 長島温泉Also simple and chloride
Simple spring+2
Yahiko OnsenNiigata · 弥彦温泉Also simple and chloride
Simple spring+2
TobaonsengōMie · 鳥羽温泉郷Also simple and chloride
Simple spring+2

Read more

Japanese Wikipedia

Other towns in Kumamoto

Kurokawa OnsenKumamoto · 黒川温泉
Sulfur spring
Tsuetate OnsenKumamoto · 杖立温泉
Chloride spring
Hinagu OnsenKumamoto · 日奈久温泉
Simple spring
Tamana OnsenKumamoto · 玉名温泉
Simple spring
Yamaga OnsenKumamoto · 山鹿温泉
Simple spring
Yunoko OnsenKumamoto · 湯の児温泉
Chloride springBicarbonate spring
Jigoku OnsenKumamoto · 地獄温泉
Sulfur spring
Oama OnsenKumamoto · 小天温泉
Simple spring

Planning a first soak? Read how an onsen stay works, and what to do if you have tattoos.