Saga Prefecture, located in Kyushu, is renowned for its deep-rooted hot spring culture. From ancient hot springs with over 1,300 years of history to famous therapeutic waters ranked among Japan's top three beauty hot springs, the region offers a diverse array of onsen experiences. This article introduces 10 hidden and historic hot springs in Saga Prefecture.
1. Kakureisen at Furuyu Onsen (Saga City)
Located along the Kase River in Fuji-cho, Saga City, Furuyu Onsen is an ancient hot spring said to have been discovered approximately 2,100 years ago by Xu Fu, who was sent by China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang. Among the hot springs here, Kakureisen has a legend dating back to the Edo period, where an injured crane healed its leg in these waters.
The spring quality is alkaline simple hot spring with a pH exceeding 9.5, characterized by high alkalinity. The colorless, transparent water has a silky smooth texture and is known as a "beauty hot spring." The signature feature is the natural sand bath, where sand is laid over the bedrock from which the hot spring water emerges.
- Spring Quality: Alkaline simple hot spring
- Free-flowing from source
- Baths: Indoor bath, sand bath, private garden bath
- Source Temperature: 36°C
- Water/Heating: Heated in winter
- Day-trip Bathing: Available (Adult 1,000 yen)
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round
2. Furuyu Onsen ONCRI (Saga City)
A relatively new facility opened in 2012 within Furuyu Onsen area. Located at the foot of Mt. Sefuri along the clear Kase River, it offers hot spring experiences in a nature-rich environment.
The spring quality is simple weak radioactive spring, utilizing its own source with an abundant daily output of 43 tons. The bathing area "SHIORI" features 15 different types of baths including outdoor baths, box steam baths, ceramic baths, and lying baths. Known for its lukewarm water at 38°C, it places minimal stress on the body while providing high relaxation effects.
- Spring Quality: Simple weak radioactive spring
- Free-flowing from source
- Baths: Indoor bath, outdoor bath, box steam bath, ceramic bath, and 15 types total
- Source Temperature: 38°C
- Water/Heating: Yes
- Day-trip Bathing: Available (Adult 1,000 yen)
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round
3. Toshoka at Kumano-kawa Onsen (Saga City)
Located slightly downstream from Furuyu Onsen along the Kase River, Kumano-kawa Onsen is said to have been discovered in 821 by the Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi). Toshoka boasts one of the largest spring outputs in Western Kyushu, with 500 liters per minute from 1,050 meters underground.
The spring quality is simple weak radioactive spring, with one of the highest radon contents in Kyushu. The radon content is 16.4 Mache, twice the therapeutic spring standard, making it a rare radioactive spring. At 43°C, the water has a mild texture without strong slipperiness, leaving skin feeling refreshed after bathing.
- Spring Quality: Simple weak radioactive spring (hypotonic alkaline high-temperature spring)
- Free-flowing from source
- Baths: Indoor baths (cypress bath, rock bath), outdoor bath, family baths
- Source Temperature: 43°C
- Water/Heating: Heated only in cold weather
- Day-trip Bathing: Available (Adult 1,200 yen)
- Accommodation: Not available (day-trip facility only)
- Operating Period: Year-round
4. Ureshino Onsen (Ureshino City)
Ranked among "Japan's Three Great Beauty Hot Springs" alongside Hinoe Onsen in Shimane Prefecture and Kitsuregawa Onsen in Tochigi Prefecture. This ancient hot spring is mentioned in the "Hizen-no-Kuni Fudoki" compiled in the Nara period and flourished as a post town on the Nagasaki Highway during the Edo period.
The spring quality is sodium-hydrogen carbonate/chloride spring with source temperatures ranging from 85°C to 95°C. The sodium-rich bicarbonate spring removes excess sebum from the skin and smooths keratinized skin. Characterized by its colorless, transparent, and silky texture, it is highly regarded for its beauty-enhancing effects.
The hot spring town has over 60 inns, with attractions including Toyotamahime Shrine and the foot bath "Siebold's Foot Bath." The specialty hot spring yudofu (tofu) becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender when simmered in alkaline hot spring water.
- Spring Quality: Sodium-hydrogen carbonate/chloride spring
- Source Temperature: 85-95°C
- Benefits: Rheumatism, neuralgia, skin diseases, gynecological disorders
- Day-trip Bathing: Varies by facility
- Accommodation: Available (over 60 inns in the hot spring town)
- Operating Period: Year-round
5. Takeo Onsen (Takeo City)
A historic hot spring mentioned in the "Hizen-no-Kuni Fudoki" from approximately 1,300 years ago. Records show that Empress Jingu, the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, and Siebold all bathed here.
The symbol of Takeo Onsen is the vermillion-lacquered gate (romon) reminiscent of Ryugu-jo (Dragon Palace). Designed by Tatsuno Kingo, who also designed Tokyo Station, it was built in 1915 and designated as a National Important Cultural Property. It is known as a Tempyo-style gate built without using a single nail.
The spring quality is alkaline simple hot spring with a source temperature of approximately 52°C. The colorless, transparent water with a soft texture is known for its excellent heat retention properties and as a beauty hot spring. Behind the gate are public bathhouses including "Motoyu," "Horai-yu," and "Sagi-no-yu," while "Tonosama-yu," available as a private bath, was once the exclusive bathhouse for the lords of the Nabeshima clan during the Edo period.
- Spring Quality: Alkaline simple hot spring
- Source Temperature: 52°C
- Benefits: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue recovery
- Day-trip Bathing: Available (Motoyu 450 yen, Horai-yu 550 yen, etc.)
- Accommodation: Available (over 20 inns in the hot spring town)
- Operating Period: Year-round
6. Tara-Takezaki Onsen (Tara Town, Fujitsu District)
Hot springs emerging on the west coast of the Ariake Sea at the foot of Mt. Tara. A collective term for three hot springs: Kamenose Onsen, Tara-Takezaki Onsen, and Taradake Onsen, using sources pumped from approximately 1,300 meters underground.
The spring quality is sodium-hydrogen carbonate spring with a source temperature of 45.5°C. The colorless, transparent water with a slightly salty taste is characterized by its skin-moisturizing beauty effects. Benefits include neuralgia, frozen shoulder, chronic digestive pain, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue recovery. When consumed, it is said to be effective for gout, diabetes, and liver disease.
Nine hot spring inns are positioned in excellent locations overlooking the Ariake Sea, with many boasting spectacular views. Bathing with the sound of waves in the background while watching beautiful sunrises and sunsets is exceptional. Tara Town's catchphrase is "Town Where You Can See the Moon's Gravity," referring to the Ariake Sea's tidal range (maximum 6 meters), the largest in Japan. Specialties include Takezaki crab and Takezaki oysters.
- Spring Quality: Sodium-hydrogen carbonate spring
- Source Temperature: 45.5°C
- Benefits: Neuralgia, frozen shoulder, sensitivity to cold, fatigue recovery
- Day-trip Bathing: Varies by facility
- Accommodation: Available (9 inns in the hot spring area)
- Operating Period: Year-round
7. Saga Fuga at Furuyu Onsen (Saga City)
An inn located in a quiet setting where you can hear the murmur of the Kase River within Furuyu Onsen. Enjoy the characteristic lukewarm water (38.6°C) unique to Furuyu Onsen.
The spring quality is alkaline simple hot spring with pH 9.69, renowned as a beauty hot spring. Characterized by its silky texture, the outdoor bath allows guests to enjoy seasonal landscapes with the sound of the clear stream, under starry skies at night, and surrounded by soft morning light.
The facility also includes a bar where guests can quietly converse over local Saga sake or tea. It serves as a place to spend time from evening hours through to mornings bathed in soft light, experiencing the passage of time.
- Spring Quality: Alkaline simple hot spring
- Free-flowing from source
- Baths: Indoor bath, outdoor bath
- Source Temperature: 38.6°C
- Water/Heating: None
- Day-trip Bathing: Please confirm
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round
8. Yumechidori at Kumano-kawa Onsen (Saga City)
An inn located in Kumano-kawa Onsen area, offering hot springs said to have been discovered by the Buddhist monk Kukai in 822. Designated as a National Health Resort Hot Spring in 1966, it has over 1,200 years of history.
The spring quality is natural radon hot spring, boasting one of the highest radon contents in Japan. In a tranquil mountain setting surrounded by greenery, guests can enjoy day-trip bathing, meals, and accommodation at their leisure. Detached rooms are also available for private time.
The inn's specialty "tofu dishes," carefully prepared by the proprietor from 5 a.m., are highly acclaimed.
- Spring Quality: Natural radon hot spring
- Free-flowing from source
- Baths: Indoor bath, family baths
- Day-trip Bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round
9. Chikurintei at Takeo Onsen (Takeo City)
A luxurious inn with only 11 guest rooms on 450 tsubo (approximately 1,485 square meters) adjacent to a vast 150,000 tsubo garden. The "unity of garden and building" featuring sukiya-style architecture and large gardens continuing from the late Edo period is beautiful.
The outdoor bath surrounded by bamboo forest offers spectacular views that only guests can enjoy, with particularly atmospheric evening lighting. Guests can leisurely savor the soft spring quality of Takeo Onsen in a quiet, serene environment.
- Spring Quality: Alkaline simple hot spring
- Baths: Indoor bath, outdoor bath
- Source Temperature: Around 52°C
- Day-trip Bathing: Please confirm
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round
10. Banshokaku Shikishima at Ureshino Onsen (Ureshino City)
A premium inn in Ureshino Onsen where all rooms are equipped with semi-open-air or open-air baths. Hot spring water is supplied to the guest room baths, allowing guests to enjoy one of Japan's three great beauty hot springs whenever they wish.
Using a private source that has been flowing for over 100 years, the inn serves kaiseki cuisine that adds modern sensibility to inherited techniques and traditions. The premium kaiseki with Saga beef is popular, served in private dining rooms for both dinner and breakfast.
The large public bath allows guests to fully enjoy the silky sodium-hydrogen carbonate spring characteristic of Ureshino Onsen and experience its beauty-enhancing effects.
- Spring Quality: Sodium-hydrogen carbonate/chloride spring
- Free-flowing from source
- Baths: Indoor bath, outdoor bath, semi-open-air or open-air bath in all guest rooms
- Source Temperature: 85-95°C
- Day-trip Bathing: Please confirm
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round
Conclusion
Saga Prefecture is dotted with diverse hot springs, from ancient springs with over 1,300 years of history to one of Japan's three great beauty hot springs. From quiet mountain retreats like Furuyu Onsen and Kumano-kawa Onsen, to bustling hot spring towns like Ureshino Onsen and Takeo Onsen, to Tara-Takezaki Onsen overlooking the Ariake Sea, each has its own unique character.
All of these hot springs pride themselves on free-flowing natural hot spring water with excellent spring qualities that enhance skin beauty. When visiting Saga Prefecture, be sure to refresh both body and mind at these hot springs.
*Please note that while this information is current as of the research date, there may be errors or changes. Please verify the latest information through official websites and other sources.