Nagano · Bessho Onsen, Ueda
Bessho Onsen Ishiyu public bath
別所温泉 外湯 石湯（真田幸村公隠しの湯）
One of the three public 'outer baths' of Bessho Onsen near Ueda, the spa village nicknamed 'Kamakura of Shinshū'. Ishiyu is famed as the hidden bath of warrior Sanada Yukimura in Ikenami Shōtarō's novel Sanada Taiheiki; its tub is built around natural bedrock, filled free-flowing with faintly sulphurous, mildly alkaline water. Open 6:30–21:30 (last entry 21:00), closed Tuesdays, a modest ¥300 with free lockable lockers. Pair it with the other two — Ōyu (closed 1st & 3rd Wed) and Daishiyu (closed 1st & 3rd Thu) — plus Kitamuki Kannon temple and the National Treasure octagonal pagoda of Anrakuji, all on foot. Ten minutes' walk from Bessho-Onsen Station on the Ueda Dentetsu line.
- Price (adult)
- ¥300
- Hours
- 06:30–21:30
- Closed
- Tue
- Access
- 10 min on foot from Bessho-Onsen Station (about 30 min by Ueda Dentetsu train from Ueda); 30 min by car from Ueda-Sugadaira IC
- Water type
- Sulfur spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0268-38-0243
- Official site
- www.bessho-spa.jp/sight/spa.html ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Bessho Onsen, Ueda. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Sanada Yukimura's hidden bath in bedrock
- ¥300, open from 6:30
- Hop to Ōyu and Daishiyu too
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- The water runs hot (43–45°C). Don't add cold water; take short repeated dips instead.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Only here
Price
Who with
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 ゆる〜と 2026-04 クチコミ（大人300円・6:30–21:30・火曜休）／別所温泉観光協会
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
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O-yu (Nozawa outer bath)
The centerpiece of Nozawa's 13 public baths, a traditional bathhouse in the middle of the village. Local 'yunakama' associations have cleaned it daily since the Edo period; payment is a donation in the box at the door. Two pools, hot and 'mild' — though even the mild one exceeds 42°C. Adding cold water is bad manners: rinse first, then keep soaks short. No soap or shampoo.
Shirahone Onsen Awanoyu
The signature inn of Shirahone, famous for milky-white water. Its highlight is a large mixed-gender open-air bath — the water is so opaque that women find it comfortable. Day use at midday only.