Onsen · Kyushu

Takeo Onsen

Takeo, Saga♨ Alkaline simple spring

Overview

A historic onsen area said to have opened about 1300 years ago. Pass through the vermilion-lacquered Romon Gate and you will find public baths housed in buildings from the Meiji era. It is close to Takeo-Onsen Station on the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen, making it easy to stop by.

It is recorded in the Hizen Fudoki, and there are records of Miyamoto Musashi and Siebold bathing here. The Romon Gate, designed by Tatsuno Kingo, the architect of Tokyo Station, is a National Important Cultural Property. Motoyu was built in Meiji 9 (1876) and is said to be the oldest building in Japan still in use as a hot spring facility. Tonosama-yu, made entirely of marble, can be rented privately by the hour.

Location: Takeo, Saga
Official website: https://www.takeo-kk.net/

Nearby area

Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino OnsenWeather and what to wear in Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen →

Tickets & tours you can book in advancePR

PRKlookJR Kyushu Rail PassUnlimited rides during the pass period on JR Kyushu conventional limited express trains and the Kyushu and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen (coverage varies by area). Exchange after arriving in JapanView on Klook

Day-Use Baths

Baths you can visit without staying

Public baths, day-use spas and foot baths open to non-staying visitors.

Public bath

Takeo Onsen Motoyu

Price: Adults ¥500, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥250 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 6:30–23:45 (last entry 23:00)
Tattoos: People with tattoos are not admitted
Note: Built in Meiji 9 (1876). Body soap and 2-in-1 shampoo available
Official site: https://www.takeo-kk.net/spa/001331.php

Public bath

Takeo Onsen Horaiyu

Price: Adults ¥500, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥250 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 6:30–21:30 (reception until 1 hour before closing)
Tattoos: People with tattoos are not admitted
Note: Body soap and 2-in-1 shampoo available
Official site: https://www.takeo-kk.net/spa/001332.php

Public bath

Takeo Onsen Saginoyu

Price: Adults ¥740, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥370 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 6:30–23:45 (last entry 23:00)
Tattoos: People with tattoos are not admitted
Note: Has an outdoor bath and sauna in addition to the indoor bath
Official site: https://www.takeo-kk.net/spa/001333.php

Public bath

Takeo Onsen Tonosama-yu

Price: Per room per hour: weekends and public holidays ¥4,300, weekdays ¥3,800 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 10:00–23:00 (reception closes 22:00)
Private bath: Private use (no reservations; first come, first served on site; up to 5 adults)
Note: An all-marble bath built in the mid-Edo period for the exclusive use of the feudal lord
Official site: https://www.takeo-kk.net/spa/001344.php

Prices and hours are as of the date shown and may change, with occasional closures. Check each facility’s official website before you go.

🖋 If you have tattoos

The Takeo Onsen public baths (Motoyu, Horaiyu and Saginoyu) do not admit people with tattoos. Policies at other facilities vary, so check with each facility

🔒 Private baths and in-room baths

The all-marble Tonosama-yu can be rented privately by the hour (no reservations; first come, first served on site)

Spring

Spring type and features

♨ Alkaline simple spring

It is described as clear and soft on the skin, excellent at retaining warmth, and also called a hot spring for beauty

Etiquette

Bathing etiquette

✓Pour hot water over yourself before getting into the bath
✓Do not put towels in the bath
✓Tie up long hair so it does not touch the water
✓Do not take photos in the bathing area
✓Do not bathe while drunk

Sights

Nearby sights

Takeo Onsen Romon Gate

A vermilion-lacquered gate designed by Tatsuno Kingo and completed in Taisho 4 (1915). Built without a single nail, it is a National Important Cultural Property

Great Camphor Tree of Takeo

The sacred tree of Takeo Shrine. A giant tree said to be over 3,000 years old, designated a city Natural Monument

Takeo City Library and History Museum

A warm, wood-filled interior with a bookstore inside

Tips

Good to know

!Tattoos are not allowed at the public baths. If you have tattoos, consider options such as the private Tonosama-yu
!Motoyu and Saginoyu are open late, until 23:45

Access

Nearest station / bus stop: Takeo-Onsen Station (Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen, JR Sasebo Line)About 15 minutes on foot from the North Exit to the Romon GateAbout 2 minutes by Yutoku Bus to Onsen Romon
From major cities and airports: Hakata: JR Limited Express (About 60 minutes)
Saga: JR Limited Express (About 30 minutes)

Open in Google Maps ↗

Getting There

Getting there from major cities

Fukuoka (Hakata) → Nagasaki

Fastest: Fastest about 1 hr 20 min (including transfer time at Takeo-Onsen Station)

🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus

Travel Passes

Travel passes for getting there

🚄 JR

Japan Rail Pass

Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed

From ¥50,000

🚄 JR

JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS (All Kyushu / Northern Kyushu / Southern Kyushu)

Kyushu ・ 3, 5 or 7 consecutive days (Southern Kyushu is 3 days only; Northern Kyushu is 3 or 5 days)

From ¥22,000

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Takeo OnsenPR

PRSee more places to stay near Takeo Onsen on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events and festivals in Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen

April–May

Arita Ceramic Fair

Kyushu ・ Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen

Every year April 29 – May 5

November

Karatsu Kunchi

Kyushu ・ Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen

Every year November 2–4 (Yoiyama on the 2nd, Otabisho Shinko on the 3rd, Yokujitsu-sai town tour on the 4th)

2026: Nov 2 (Mon) – Nov 4 (Wed), 3 days

See all events →

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♨ Day use ¥300 (as of October 2026)

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♨ Day use Adults ¥800, children ¥600 (as of October 2026)

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♨ Day use Adults ¥450, elementary school students ¥220, preschoolers free with a guardian (as of October 2026)

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Ibusuki Onsen

Kyushu ・ Ibusuki, Kagoshima

♨ Day use Sand bath: adults ¥1,500, children ¥800 / Hot spring only: adults ¥800, children ¥400 (as of October 2026)

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Unzen Onsen

Kyushu ・ Unzen, Nagasaki

♨ Day use Adults ¥500, children ¥250, age 3 and under free (as of October 2026)

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Prices, hours, tattoo policies and spring types are based on official facility, municipal and tourism association information. They can change, so check the official websites before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-08

Takeo Onsen

Overview