Mitahorashinbutsu Onsen

Gifu · 三田洞神仏温泉

Mitahorashinbutsu Onsen is a hot spring town in Gifu, Japan. The water leaves the ground at 15°C, cool enough that the baths here are usually reheated. Officially the water is classed as iron spring.

Getting there

From Nagoyaabout 1½ h

From Kyoto / Osakaabout 2 h

CarNot needed

JR PassMost of the way

Train to Gifu Station (JR)
Change for Meitetsu Gifu Station — a private line, not covered by the JR Pass
Local bus, about 30 min

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

Iron spring

The water here

Iron spring 含鉄泉

Turns reddish brown as the iron meets air. The water is clear at the source.

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 — Gifu Inns with a private bath — Gifu