Fukuoka Prefecture is home to diverse hot springs ranging from famous resort areas to hidden mountain retreats. Centered in the Chikugo region bordering Oita Prefecture, visitors can discover hot springs renowned for beautifying skin, historic communal baths, and uniquely characterized waters that welcome travelers year-round.
1. Koibotaru Onsen-kan at Michi-no-Eki Funagoya (Chikugo City)
Located within Chikugo Comprehensive Park, this day-trip hot spring facility features water drawn from 1,500 meters underground. The source is a magnesium-sodium-calcium hydrogen carbonate spring known for its skin-beautifying properties, earning it the nickname "Beauty Bath." The distinctive tea-brown cloudy water contains high concentrations of carbonation, keeping bathers warm long after leaving the bath. The mineral content is so rich that stalactite-like deposits form on the edges of the outdoor baths. During summer, a special outdoor bath offers the spring water at its natural temperature.
Funagoya Onsen's history dates back to the Bunka era (1804-1818). According to legend, an elderly man suffering from illness drank from a spring called "Suzume Jigoku" (Sparrow Hell) and was cured. Analysis in 1886 confirmed it as Japan's richest iron-carbonate spring, effective for gastrointestinal ailments and anemia when consumed, and for gynecological issues and neuralgia when bathed in.
- Spring quality: Magnesium-sodium-calcium hydrogen carbonate spring
- Free-flowing (partially heated)
- Baths: Indoor=2, Outdoor=2
- Source temperature: From 1,500m underground
- Day bathing: Available (Adults 700 yen)
- Accommodation: Not available (day-use facility)
- Hours: 10:00-21:00 (reception until 20:30)
- Closed: Tuesdays (or Wednesday if Tuesday is a holiday)
2. Wakita Onsen Nansuikaku (Miyawaka City)
A hot spring ryokan nestled along the Inunaki River at the foot of the Inunaki Mountains. With history dating back to the Nara period and documented in the Edo-period "Chikuzen Zoku Fudoki," this is a venerable hot spring area. Located roughly midway between Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu, it offers a peaceful mountain setting away from urban noise. The clear, alkaline simple spring contains sulfur, giving it a slightly slippery texture beloved as a beauty bath.
In addition to the main bath, the "Yuno-Zen-no-Sato" outdoor bath facility offers nine unique outdoor baths for both genders. These include "Kaguya-hime-no-Yu" surrounded by 17 varieties of bamboo, "Kappa Tengoku," "Shosuke-no-Yu," and "Mizuguruma-buro." Men's and women's baths switch every Wednesday. The "Hidamari" family baths offer five private bathing rooms popular with families. Visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, fireflies in summer, autumn foliage, and snow scenes in winter.
- Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring
- Free-flowing
- Baths: Indoor=2, Outdoor=9
- Source temperature: Not specified
- Day bathing: Available (Yuno-Zen-no-Sato)
- Accommodation: Available
- Season: Year-round
3. Hoshi-no-Onsen-kan Kirara (Hoshino Village, Yame City)
Located in Hoshino Village near the Oita Prefecture border, this hot spring facility sits amid beautiful rural landscapes of clear streams, tea fields, and rice terraces. Opened in 2001 adjacent to the lodging facility "Ike-no-Yamaso," this day-trip hot spring features alkaline simple spring water. Known as a "beauty bath," the water leaves skin smooth even after bathing.
Two outdoor baths, "Miharashi-no-Yu" and "Mori-no-Yu," alternate between men and women on even and odd days. "Miharashi-no-Yu" offers panoramic views of the village center, and at night, bathers can enjoy the rich nature of Hoshino and a sky full of stars. Hoshino Village is also known for Yame tea production, with nearby attractions including the Tea Culture Hall and Star Culture Hall planetarium, perfect for combining with your hot spring visit.
- Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring
- Baths: Indoor=2, Outdoor=2
- Source temperature: Not specified
- Day bathing: Available (Adults 520 yen, Children 260 yen)
- Accommodation: Available (Ike-no-Yamaso)
- Hours: 10:00-22:00 (last entry 21:30)
- Closed: Irregular holidays
4. Harazuru Onsen (Asakura City)
A representative hot spring area of Fukuoka Prefecture spreading along the Chikugo River. Named "Harazuru" (Original Crane) after cranes were reportedly discovered bathing in the river's hot springs. Known as "Double Beauty Bath," it features two spring qualities: weakly alkaline simple spring with pH 8.5 or higher and simple sulfur spring. The alkaline spring removes old skin cells, while the sulfur component helps remove melanin from the stratum corneum, potentially brightening skin tone.
With 14 hot spring facilities, 34 source wells, and an output of 3,000 liters per minute, Harazuru boasts Fukuoka Prefecture's most abundant spring flow. This abundance enables diverse baths including jungle baths, panoramic open-air baths, and private outdoor baths. Many ryokan offer free-flowing source water. Beyond hot springs, visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, cormorant fishing in summer, autumn foliage and persimmon picking in fall.
- Spring quality: Weakly alkaline simple spring, Simple sulfur spring
- Free-flowing (varies by facility)
- Lodging facilities: 14 establishments
- Day bathing: Available at some facilities
- Access: About 5 minutes by car from Haki IC on Oita Expressway
5. Futsukaichi Onsen Hakata-yu (Chikushino City)
Boasting over 1,300 years of history, Futsukaichi Onsen has been known as an elegant hot spring since the Manyoshu poetry era. Its old name "Suita" appears in the ancient poetry collection. During the Edo period, it served as the Kuroda clan's exclusive bath. The radioactive spring (radon spring) is considered one of Kyushu's finest.
Hakata-yu, established in 1860 (Man'en era), is a long-established communal bathhouse. The three-story wooden building retains its original atmosphere, with the second floor open as a rest area. Following the founding principle that "hot springs are community treasure to be shared by all," it offers 100% free-flowing spring water at 43.8 degrees. The alkaline hypotonic hyperthermal spring is particularly effective for neuralgia and skin diseases. The sulfurous, smooth water is beloved by locals.
- Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring, Radioactive spring (radon spring)
- Free-flowing
- Source temperature: 43.8 degrees
- Day bathing: Available (Adults 350 yen, weekends/holidays 450 yen)
- Accommodation: Not available (communal bath)
- Hours: 10:00-21:30 (last entry 21:00)
- Closed: Year-round operation
6. Chikugogawa Onsen Ryokan Fukusenka (Ukiha City)
A quiet hot spring area on a sandbar in the Chikugo River. These springs emerged two years after the great Chikugo River flood of 1955, a new blessing from the earth. Surrounded by beautiful natural environments including "Japan's 100 Best Waters" Shimizu spring water and "100 Best Water Source Forests" Choion Waterfall Park, which the clear streams nurtured. The weakly alkaline simple spring has a characteristically smooth texture. Said to be effective enough to serve as facial lotion, the facility allows visitors to take home spring water.
A light sulfur scent fills the air, and the smooth water envelops the entire body. The facility operates on an alternating system with indoor-only bathing rooms and rooms with both indoor and outdoor baths. The outdoor bath offers views of the clear Chikugo River while bathing. Family baths are also available for private enjoyment of the river scenery. The nearby mountain slopes feature many fruit orchards including grapes, strawberries, persimmons, and pears, making fruit picking popular.
- Spring quality: Weakly alkaline simple spring
- Free-flowing
- Baths: Indoor, outdoor, family baths
- Day bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available
- Access: About 3 minutes by car from Haki IC on Oita Expressway
7. Hisayama Onsen Hotel Yume-ka (Hisayama Town, Kasuya District)
A single-inn hot spring in Hisayama Town, known as "Hakata's inner parlor," in Fukuoka's suburbs. Despite being just 25 minutes by car from Fukuoka Airport, it's surrounded by abundant nature. The facility boasts an expansive Japanese garden and 22 baths across 12 varieties. These include Reimei medicated bath with 10 herbs, plain hot water, wine bath (women only), pearl bath with pearl powder dissolved in the water (women only), and sake bath (men only), offering uniquely themed bathing experiences.
With five outdoor baths and two saunas, the wild rock outdoor bath requires a walk but rewards visitors with an open, nature-surrounded bathing space. Day bathing is available, and local repeat customers visit to ease daily fatigue. The natural food buffet is also popular, allowing guests to enjoy both hot springs and dining. Nearby attractions include Sarayama Park, famous for azaleas.
- Spring quality: Not specified
- Baths: Indoor, Outdoor=5, Sauna=2
- Day bathing: Available (approximately 900 yen for adults)
- Accommodation: Available
- Hours: Approximately 10:00-22:00
- Access: About 7 minutes from Fukuoka IC on Kyushu Expressway
8. Hakata Onsen Ganso-Motoyu (Minami-ku, Fukuoka City)
A little-known hot spring in Minami-ku, southern Hakata. The spring's origin traces to water that gushed forth while digging a well at a private residence. The small bath holds about three people at most, but with water temperature at 49 degrees, it's quite hot, serving as a local gathering place. Located near Hakata's entertainment district, visitors can stop by between shopping and sightseeing.
A precious spot offering natural hot springs within Fukuoka city center. Popular with hot spring enthusiasts who enjoy hot water, it retains the atmosphere of traditional communal baths. Nearby Umi-no-Nakamichi Seaside Park, a national park, offers seasonal flower viewing throughout the year.
- Spring quality: Not specified
- Source temperature: 49 degrees
- Day bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Not available (communal bath)
- Season: Year-round
9. Kurogi Onsen Green Pia Yame (Yame City)
A hot spring facility in Kurogi Town, Yame City, surrounded by rich nature in the production area of premium "Yame tea." Located within "Kutsurogi-no-Mori Green Pia Yame," which includes tennis courts, putting golf, and go-kart tracks, this leisure facility attracts a wide age range. The attached hot spring facility "Kutsurogi-no-Yu" welcomes many day-trip visitors and offers family baths that small groups can reserve privately.
The alkaline simple spring is said to be effective for rheumatism and neuralgia. After bathing, visitors can enjoy meals in the relaxation area or shop for fresh local vegetables at "Kurogi Furusato Market." Cottage accommodations are also available for extended stays.
- Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring
- Baths: Indoor, outdoor, family baths
- Day bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available (cottages)
- Access: About 22km from Yame IC on Kyushu Expressway
10. Genkai Satsuki Onsen Royal Hotel Munakata (Munakata City)
A hot spring facility in Tano, Munakata City, facing the Genkai Sea. Surrounded by the rich nature of Genkai Quasi-National Park, it offers attractive ocean and mountain scenery. While detailed information about spring quality and source temperature is not publicly available, day bathing is possible along with accommodation. Nearby attractions include Munakata Taisha shrine, allowing visitors to combine hot springs with sightseeing.
As a hotel hot spring facility, guests can enjoy bathing in a resort atmosphere. With good access about 60 minutes by car from Fukuoka Airport, it's easy to visit casually.
- Spring quality: Not specified
- Day bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available
- Access: About 60 minutes from Fukuoka Airport
Important Note The information provided represents the latest available at the time of research, but errors may exist. Please confirm the latest information on official websites. Business hours, fees, and regular holidays are subject to change, so please verify with each facility before visiting.