Ureshino Onsen

Onsen

Prefecture

Saga

Type

Onsen

N/A

0 reviews

Free

Entry Fee

Free Entry Restaurant Train Access Cafe Vegetarian

About This Destination

One of Japan's top three beauty hot springs known for smooth, silky waters that are said to make skin beautiful, in a historic tea-producing town.

Ureshino Onsen is one of Japan's three great beauty hot springs, prized for its sodium bicarbonate waters that leave skin remarkably smooth and silky. The hot spring town has a history spanning over 1,300 years and offers a charming townscape along the Ureshino River with numerous ryokan, public baths, and free foot baths. The town is also famous for Ureshino tea, one of Japan's finest green teas, and visitors can enjoy tea-infused cuisine and sweets. The unique Ureshino-style yudofu features silky tofu simmered in the mineral-rich hot spring water. A stroll through the compact town center reveals a mix of traditional inns and modern cafes, making it an ideal base for exploring the Saga countryside.

Location

Prefecture: Saga

Address: Ureshino, Saga, Japan

Nearest Station: Ureshino Onsen Station (Nishikyushu Shinkansen)

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: Famous for onsen yudofu (silky hot spring tofu) and Ureshino tea cuisine. Numerous ryokan serve kaiseki dinners featuring local ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Ureshino Onsen?

From Hakata, the new Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen 'Kamome' reaches Ureshino-Onsen Station in about 50 minutes (5,500 yen) — service started in 2022. Otherwise, take the JR Limited Express 'Midori' to Takeo-Onsen Station and a JR bus (40 minutes, 1,000 yen) to the onsen district. From Nagasaki Airport, direct shuttle buses run to Ureshino in 30 minutes (1,000 yen). Most ryokan offer free shuttle pickup from the station with reservation.

What makes Ureshino Onsen's water special?

Ureshino is one of Japan's three great 'beauty hot springs' — the sodium bicarbonate water acts like a mild soap, dissolving dead skin cells and leaving skin feeling silky smooth. The water is clear, slightly slippery to the touch, and a bath here feels noticeably different from typical sulfur or iron-rich onsen. The high silica content also softens hair. The springs have flowed continuously for over 1,300 years and are mentioned in 8th-century records.

Where can I take a public day-bath if I'm not staying overnight?

Siebold-no-yu (380 yen, modern public bath named after 19th-century German doctor Siebold) and Hibino-yu (380 yen) are the main public baths. Most ryokan also offer day-bath access (typically 800–2,000 yen, often including a small towel) — Wadaya, Yoshidaya, and Hotel Sakura are popular. Free foot baths line the river — leave your shoes at the entrance and dip your feet for free. Most options open from late morning until evening; check times.

What food should I try in Ureshino Onsen?

Onsen yudofu — silky tofu simmered in the alkaline hot-spring water — is the must-try local specialty (the alkaline water dissolves the tofu's surface, creating an extraordinarily silky texture). Try at Soan or Kowameshi-an. Ureshino tea is one of Japan's finest steamed green teas; tea-pairings with kaiseki are common at ryokan. Hassaku tea sweets, hot-spring eggs, and Saga beef are also worth seeking out. Tea-house experiences with Ureshino tea masters are a highlight.

Nearby Destinations

⛩️

Yutoku Inari Shrine 7.4km

♨️

Takeo Onsen 10.1km

♨️ Other Onsen in Saga

Takeo Onsen

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