Sagae Onsen

Yamagata · 寒河江温泉

Sagae Onsen is a hot spring town in Yamagata, Japan. It measures pH 7–7.1 — close to neutral. Officially the water is classed as simple spring, chloride spring, bicarbonate spring and sulfur spring. 9 inns take visitors here.

Getting there

From Tokyoabout 3 h

CarNot needed

JR PassCovers the train

Train to Sagae Station (JR)
A short walk

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

Simple springChloride springBicarbonate springSulfur 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.

Sulfur spring 硫黄泉

The classic rotten-egg smell and milky white water. It can tarnish silver jewellery, so take it off.

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 — Yamagata