Onsen · Kyushu

Unzen Onsen

Unzen, Nagasaki♨ Acidic hydrogen sulfide spring, hydrogen sulfide-containing acidic alum spring, melanterite spring (generally sulfur springs)

Overview

An onsen area in the mountains of the Shimabara Peninsula, filled with the scent of sulfur. Right next to the onsen town lies Unzen Jigoku (Unzen Hells), where volcanic steam rises. There are several public baths you can use for a few hundred yen, and many ryokan offer drop-in bathing.

Strongly acidic sulfur springs well up here, said to be very similar to the water of Kusatsu Onsen. Kojigoku Onsenkan, opened in the Taisho era, has milky-white water and boasts the greatest volume of hot spring water in Unzen. Enjoy it together with the walking trails through the hells and Nita Pass, known for seasonal flowers and autumn leaves.

Location: Unzen, Nagasaki
Best time to visit: Early to mid-May for Miyama Kirishima azaleas, and late October to early November for autumn leaves. In winter, rime ice can be seen at Nita Pass
Official website: https://unzenonsen.unzen.org/

Nearby area

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Day-Use Baths

Baths you can visit without staying

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

Public bath

Kojigoku Onsenkan

Price: Adults ¥500, children ¥250, age 3 and under free (as of October 2026)
Hours: 9:00–20:00 (November–April until 19:00)
Closed: Open every day
Note: Opened in Taisho 8 (1919). Milky-white water containing sulfur. Shampoo and soap available
Official site: https://www.unzen.org/spot/kojigoku_onsen

Public bath

Yunosato Onsen Public Bath

Price: Adults ¥200, children ¥100 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 9:00–22:00
Closed: Tuesdays
Note: The oldest public bath in Unzen Onsen
Official site: https://unzenonsen.unzen.org/daytrip/

Public bath

Unzen Shinyu Onsenkan

Price: Adults ¥200, children ¥100 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 9:00–22:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Note: A public bath with an old-fashioned sento feel
Official site: https://www.unzen.org/spot/shinyu_onsen

Ryokan day-use bath

Unzen Fukudaya

Price: Adults ¥1,000, children ¥500, age 3 and under free (as of October 2026)
Hours: 12:00–15:00 (last entry 14:00)
Private bath: Family bath available (reservation required)
Note: Outdoor bath; shampoo and soap available
Official site: http://www.fukudaya.co.jp/

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

Policies vary by facility, so check with each facility

🔒 Private baths and in-room baths

Some ryokan have family baths or private baths (whether a reservation is needed differs by facility)

Spring

Spring type and features

♨ Acidic hydrogen sulfide spring, hydrogen sulfide-containing acidic alum spring, melanterite spring (generally sulfur springs)

According to the tourism bureau, the sterilizing effect of the strong acidity is said to be good for skin conditions in general, such as eczema, chilblains and cuts, and it is also said to be suitable for chronic rheumatism, neuralgia and muscle pain

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
✓Sulfur springs are strong, so avoid long soaks and bathe according to how you feel

Sights

Nearby sights

Unzen Jigoku (Unzen Hells)

An area covered in white earth between Koyu and Shinyu. Hot water and volcanic steam spout forcefully, and clouds of steam rise amid the smell of sulfur

Nita Pass

Known for Miyama Kirishima azaleas in spring, autumn leaves in fall and rime ice in winter

Tips

Good to know

!Public baths are affordable at ¥200–500. Bring a towel
!Drop-in bathing at ryokan is mostly around midday

Access

Nearest station / bus stop: Unzen bus stop (Shimatetsu Bus)
From major cities and airports: Isahaya Station: Shimatetsu Bus (About 1 hour 20 minutes)
Nagasaki Airport: Bus to Isahaya Station (about 35 minutes), then transfer to the Shimatetsu Bus
Kumamoto Port: Ferry (to Shimabara Port) (High-speed boat about 30 minutes, regular ferry about 60 minutes)

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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

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Unzen OnsenPR

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Events

Events and festivals in Nagasaki

February

Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Kyushu ・ Nagasaki

Usually around February, at the time of the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) (17 days from February 5 to 21 in 2027)

2027: Feb 5 (Fri) – Feb 21 (Sun), 17 days

October

Nagasaki Kunchi

Kyushu ・ Nagasaki

Every year October 7–9

2026: Oct 7 (Wed) – Oct 9 (Fri), 3 days

See all events →

Attractions

Attractions in Nagasaki

Aquarium

Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium

Kyushu ・ Nagasaki

An aquarium specializing in penguins, keeping 9 of the world's 18 penguin species. It's said to keep the most penguin species in the world and has one of Japan's largest penguin pools. Admission is an affordable ¥800 for adults, and it can be reached by bus from central Nagasaki.

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

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♨ Day use Adults ¥500, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥250 (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

Unzen Onsen

Overview