8 hot springs in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, are famous for their wide variety of Onsen quality.
The hot springs, which are said to be the source of the hot springs, are located somewhat distant from Beppu.
The Tsukahara Onsen are located in Yufuin Town, Oita Prefecture.
Have you ever heard of Yufuin Onsen(Hot Spring)?
Oita Prefecture is a well-known hot spring resort along with Beppu Hot Spring.
As the best stop at Yufuin Hot Spring, I would like to introduce the “Tsukahara Hot Springs” that are said to be “the second most acidic spring in Japan,” from bathing reports to mystery and hot spring information.
It is a “strong acid spring” that reminds me of sour lemonade in a place that is hard to get to except by car.
The unique hot springs and the surrounding scenery will surely tickle your curiosity.
Is the hot spring sour than lemon?
It is such a secret hot spring.
Contents
What is Tsukahara Onsen Kokono Izumi(Crater Onsen)?
It is located in the Myoban hot spring area in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture.
If you drive or take a bus, you will find a place called Jumonjibara Observatory with a beautiful night view.
You can see Mt. Yufu and Mt. Tsurumi from the road, while looking at “Jumonjibara Observatory” from the side.
As you walked by, you would get wondered, “Are you sure this is the right way to go?”
It is recommended that you go there by car or other means, as it will make you feel uneasy.
Here is the official site info for access:https://yufuin-tsukahara.com/en/access_en/
Related article:Natural Hot Spring For All Five Senses: Tsukahara Onsen
There is a road to the halfway of the Mt.garantdake which is next to Mt.Tsurumidake, and the signboard that saying “塚原温泉 火口乃泉”(Tsukahara Onsen Kako no Izumi) stands.
From there, go further and you will reach a building that looks like a rest stop for the upcoming climb.
The hot spring in such a location is “Tsukahara Onsen “.
You pay the bathing fee at the reception.
I recommend a course where you can bathe in both outdoor bath and indoor bath!
Needless to say, when I visited, both the indoor and outdoor baths didn’t stop me.
Both “indoor baths and open-air baths” are attractive, but I will start with “indoor baths”.
Introduction of Uchiyu(indoor bath)
If there is no indication that says it is an indoor hot water(内湯), it thinks that it is just a hut for a moment.
However, as soon as you open the door and pass through the curtains, there is a something like Showa-era atmosphere that reminds you.
You can see the bathtub through the glass door, and it looks like the surrounding area is dyed red.
Excitingly, we will prepare and finally meet the hot springs.
No shampoo or soap can be used at this hot spring.
You can see the reason by pouring hot water on your body.
There is a feeling that the keratin of the skin is taken at once. (* This is an individual impression.)
However, if you take a bath in the bathtub, the water is so gentle that you can’t think of it as an acidic spring.
I don’t think it’s an acidic spring.
It is slightly tingling.
My interest, rather than the feeling of bathing, is in the source of the hot water that is being poured over the bathtub.
I approach the place where the source of the spring is flowing, and scoop it and taste it…
It’s sour!
It’s like eye-opening acidity.
It’s as if it’s soured more than the over-squeezed lemon in lemonade.
By the way, when I visited with friends, I often said “sour!”
So my friends also tasted it.
Needless to say, my friends were in the same situation
And not only is it acidic, but it also contains iron, so your body will gradually become more energized.
Also, it’s not only acidic, but also contains iron, so your body will gradually become more energized.
After enjoying the indoor bath, let’s move to the outdoor bath.
When the weather is nice, the view before arrival is the best.
Introduction of open-air baths
When you move from the bathtub to the open-air bath, you must wear clothes.
You don’t have to wear socks or anything like that, but it was a bit chilly if you didn’t wear other clothes properly because of the high ground.
To get to the open-air bath, walk a little on the road between the reception and the indoor bath.
There is a building right away and it is an open-air bath. Like the indoor hot water, it looks like just a hut at first glance.
But when I opened the door and went inside, I lost my words.
The color of the hot spring that I didn’t quite understand in the indoor bath.
That’s well understood in the open-air bath. Its richness can be seen just by looking at it.
I had heard about it Ryokubansen (Green aroma spring).
I took a few baths at Ryokubansen in Beppu City, but this is the first time I have ever seen green.
I felt that it was a little darker than the indoor bath.
And of course I tried tasting the source and I was convinced.
It’s a little bit, but it seems dark. (* This is my personal impression)
Relaxing in the green hot springs with sunlight is a truly blissful experience.
In addition to taking a bath in the indoor bath or the outdoor bath, there is a “crater tour” that you should keep in mind when visiting.
Therefore, while feeling a blissful moment, I was now worried about the crater.
“What is the origin of this source?”
If you come to “Tsukahara Onsen Kako no Izumi,” the starting point of Beppu Onsen is a place you’ll definitely want to see.
Next, let’s look at the crater tour!
“Crater Tour” of Tsukahara Onsen
When I heard the name “Tsukahara Onsen Koko no izumi,” I thought it was a hot spring tour because it was a hot spring.
However, I actually went the “Tour” and realized that it was a mistake.
Fees for firework tours
・200 yen for adults
・100 yen for elementary school children
*As of April 2018
After relaxing in the open-air bath, I started walking along the road with a sign for the entrance to the crater.
In front of it is the towering Mt.Garan.
The steam was rising from several places.
It’s a steeper slope than I expected.
But I was more interested in trees that have iron on them and the ground that has sulfur buildup.
And, it was the soil that was discolored.
It’s no wonder that the ingredients of the hot springs have an effect on the surroundings.
It’s like a hot spring maniac to go up there while thinking about such things, but…
I’m also a hot spring ｍania too, sorry…
When I climbed up the slope, I could see a magnificent view.
The opposite direction of the scenery was the view of the crater that I often see on TV.
According to what I heard, only Tsukahara Onsen Koko no izumi is nearer to the crater.
The reason is unclear, but there is less toxic gas than other crafts.
From the crater, the hot water was rising.
At the base of the blaze of hot water, I could see a hot spring that spread like a pond!
This is the origin of the name “Crater Fountain”.
Unfortunately, because it is not possible to approach, it is only a view, but it goes without saying that I, a maniac, was interested in the hot spring quality which might be different from the bathtub.
Why was I so curious about it?
Because I’ｍ onsen mania!
“Spring Quality Introduction,” a valuable hot spring recommended by doctors
So, I would like to introduce the spring quality of Tsukahara Onsen, a valuable source in Japan.
Springs: Acid-sulfur-containing iron (II and III) aluminum-sulfate springs
Temperature: around 60℃
PH value: 1.4
Indications (bathing)
Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, abnormal glucose tolerance (diabetes), and epidermolysis pyogenesis.
Cutaneous wounds, obliterative neuropathy, coldness, depression, skin dryness.
Indications (Drinking)
Biliary system dysfunction, hypercholesterolemia, constipation, abnormal glucose tolerance (diabetes), hypercholesterolemia, iron deficiency anemia, etc.
Contraindications (for bathing)
Active stage of illness (such as when a person has a fever) Active tuberculosis, advanced malignant tumor or severe anemia, if severe physical weakness causes slight heart movement or pulmonary swelling, such as swelling after a short movement.
When there is severe kidney disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, or visible bleeding, acute exacerbation of chronic disease, hypersensitive skin and mucous membranes, and dry skin of the elderly.
Feeling of bathing
I felt that there was a slight difference in the density between the Indoor bath and open-air bath.
The open-air bath had a tingling sensation compared to the indoor bath that felt refreshing, and I felt that the color of the hot spring was dark.
However, both of them were acidic, so the skin was exposed to a beautiful moisture. (* Individual impression)
The taste was like a sour lemonade, but when I tasted well, I felt the unique bitterness of the sulfate spring.
Tsukahara Onsen Kako no Izumi Basic Information
Name: Tsukahara Onsen Kako no Izumi
Address: 1235 Tsukawara, Yufuin-cho, Yufu-shi, Oita 879-5101 Japan
Telephone number: 0977-85-4101
Business hours:
From 6:00 to 9:00 to 19:00 (until 18:00)
From 9:00 to 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00)
Regular holidays: Closed for New Year’s holidays. Closed in winter due to snow and other factors (confirmation required)
Parking: Available (free)
There are 4 to 5 parking spaces in front of the reception area.
Fee: As of April 2018.
・Large bath (separate for men and women)/Adult 500 yen, child 200 yen *Hours are limited to 2 hours.
・Open-air baths (separate for men and women)/Adult 600 yen, child 200 yen *Hours are limited to 2 hours.
・Family bath (4 rooms) / 2000 yen (up to 2 adults and 2 children within 1 hour)
・Separate family bath (1 room) / 2500 yen (up to 2 adults and 2 children within 1 hour)
*The family bath is 500 yen plus per adult. 300 yen per child plus
Official site: https://www.tukaharaonsen.jp/english/
Discount coupon information
This year, a 100 yen discount coupon for Tsukahara Onsen Kuchino-Sen is included in the guide book “BE BEPPU”, which is sold at the new Ekimachi 1-chome Information Center.
You can buy “steamed egg” and “the source of a hot spring” steamed for about 20 hours in the fumaroles on the hillside of Mt.Mt.garantdake
