Ōita · Beppu Onsen
Kannawa Onsen Shibu-no-yu
鉄輪温泉 渋の湯
Halfway along Ideyu-zaka, the steam-wreathed main street of Beppu's Kannawa district, this communal bath is run by the local residents' association. In typical Beppu style the changing area and bath share one room, and hot sodium-chloride water rich in metasilicic acid flows freely. Visitors pay only ¥100 — technically a coin-locker fee rather than admission. Open 06:30–21:00 daily. No soap or shampoo and minimal washing space, so follow local manners: quiet and quick. There is a toilet on the little square out front, and the Jigoku-mushi steam-cooking workshop and Umi-jigoku are two minutes away, making it an easy stop on a Kannawa stroll. Counts toward the Beppu Hattō Onsen-dō stamp rally.
- Price (adult)
- ¥100
- Hours
- 06:30–21:00
- Closed
- Open daily
- Access
- About 20 min by Kamenoi bus from the west exit of JR Beppu Station to 'Kannawa', then 4 min on foot; about 10 min by car from Beppu IC
- Water type
- Simple spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Fee
- Visitors pay by using the ¥100 locker (run by the local association); the offering box is not the fee
- Water
- Sodium-chloride spring, 87.1 °C at source, rich in metasilicic acid (silky feel); a mini bamboo cooler beside the tub
- Facilities
- Beppu-style single room combining changing and bathing; no showers, soap, parking or phone
- Onsen-do
- Beppu Hatto Onsen-do No. 38
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Beppu Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- ¥100 bath in the middle of Ideyu-zaka
- Hot free-flowing water rich in silica
- Pair with Jigoku-mushi and Umi-jigoku
The village bath halfway up Ideyu-zaka
Shibu-no-yu is a community-run bath halfway up Ideyu-zaka, Kannawa’s main street. Locals use it daily — you can hear splashing and chatter as you pass — and they adjust the 87 °C chloride water themselves with a bamboo cooler and valves. Remains of the old “Takiyu” waterfall bath survive behind. Remember it is not a tourist facility: keep quiet and follow local custom.
Etiquette
- Greet others on entering; putting your things in the ¥100 locker is how you pay.
- The water is hot — kakeyu thoroughly. Do not add cold water yourself; leave temperature to the locals.
- Bring towel and soap (keep suds out of the tub).
- Changing area adjoins the bath — avoid splashing. No photography.
- Small groups, short stays; locals have priority when busy.
Getting there
Kamenoi bus ~20 min from JR Beppu west exit to “Kannawa”, then 3 min on foot. No parking — use the paid car park in front of Netsunoyu.
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- As a communal bath there is no soap or shampoo — bring your own or buy at the shop.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Price
Who with
Only here
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 別府八湯温泉道38番・現地レポ
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Takegawara Onsen
Founded in 1879, with its 1938 wooden building and curved gable, Takegawara is the symbol of Beppu Onsen. A regular bath costs ¥300 — a deep, hot pool down a flight of steps. The famous sand bath has you buried in warm sand by staff while wearing a yukata. Bring your own soap and shampoo.
Hyotan Onsen
A large complex where you can try Kannawa's specialties — waterfall bath, sand bath and steam bath — in one place. It once earned three Michelin stars and is used to overseas guests. Many private family baths; tattooed visitors are directed to these. A restaurant serves hell-steamed dishes. Open until 1 am.
Shitan-yu at Lake Kinrin
A thatched communal bath on the shore of Lake Kinrin. Unstaffed — drop ¥300 in the box at the door. Changing area and bath share one room; an indoor pool and a half-open pool facing the lake, and it is mixed bathing with clear water and little screening, so it's a challenge for women. Right in busy central Yufuin, but quiet at the 10 am opening.