Jinata Onsen

Onsen Hikyo

Prefecture

Tokyo

Type

Onsen · Hikyo

N/A

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About This Destination

Rock pools at the foot of a narrow cleft on Shikinejima's south coast, where iron-rich spring water at about 80°C mixes with the sea. It is free and open around the clock, but you need a swimsuit, a staircase of about 170 steps, and the right hour of the tide.

The name means roughly "ground split by a hatchet", and that is what the approach looks like: a V-shaped cleft in the cliffs at the south end of Shikinejima, with a concrete staircase running down it to the shore. The tourism association counts 193 steps, though typhoon damage has left about 170. At the bottom, iron-rich water comes out of the rocks at about 80°C and turns the pools reddish brown. Nobody bathes in it straight. You wait for the sea to come in and cool it, then move between the pools: closer to the cliff as the tide rises, closer to the sea as it falls. The association's advice is to come 1 to 1.5 hours before or after high tide; at low tide only the pools by the water are bearable. It is free, open 24 hours, and men and women bathe together in swimsuits, which are required. There is no changing room and no shower, only a toilet by the small parking area, so arrive with your swimsuit on. The rocks are slick with mineral deposits, the iron can stain a swimsuit that rubs against them, and there is nothing to buy down there, so bring water. The stair entrance is closed in rough weather.

Location

Prefecture: Tokyo

Address: Niijima, Tokyo, Japan

Nearest Station: Nobushi Port (Shikinejima)

Best time to visit: Year-round; summer is the busiest. Time your visit for 1 to 1.5 hours either side of high tide, and check the day's boat status, since ships to the island are cancelled in rough seas

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to bathe at Jinata Onsen?

Around high tide. The Shikinejima Tourism Association suggests 1 to 1.5 hours before or after high tide, so if high tide is at 10:00, aim for about 8:30 or 11:30. At low tide the 80°C spring water is too hot except in the pools nearest the sea. Look up the day's tide table before you go.

Do I need a swimsuit, and is there anywhere to change?

Yes, swimsuits are required, and men and women share the pools. There is no changing room or shower, only a toilet next to the parking area, so most people arrive with a swimsuit already on.

Is there another hot spring nearby?

Ashitsuki Onsen, also free and open 24 hours, is about a 2-minute walk along a narrow path from Matsugashita Miyabiyu. It works the opposite way: the tourism association suggests going 1 hour either side of low tide. Swimsuits are required there too, and it has changing rooms, showers and toilets.