Miyazaki · Gokuraku Onsen, Takaharu
Gokuraku Onsen Takumi-no-Yado, Takaharu
極楽温泉 匠の宿（高原町）
The lone inn at Gokuraku Onsen, in the hills of Takaharu on the eastern foot of the Kirishima range, with water distinctive enough to be listed among Japan's 'hundred famous springs'. It is a carbonated iron spring (carbon dioxide-iron-calcium-bicarbonate), and the speciality is alternating between the free-flowing tubs, turned rust-red on contact with air, and a 'source cold bath' filled with the highly carbonated mineral water straight from the ground. Sitting in the cold fizzing water as tiny bubbles cling to your skin, then returning to the warm bath, is a routine sauna lovers adore. There is also an open-air bath, a sauna and a reservable private bath. Day bathing: adults ¥600, children ¥250, with long hours from 07:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:30), except Wednesdays when it pauses 10:00–15:00 for cleaning. A dining room serves Kyushu mountain-and-river cuisine, and private rest rooms and overnight stays suit a cure-style visit. About 15 minutes by car from JR Takaharu Station or Takaharu IC. A hidden gem for Ebino Plateau and Kirishima trips.
- Price (adult)
- ¥600
- Hours
- 7:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30; closed Wed 10:00–15:00 for cleaning)
- Closed
- Open daily (closed Wed 10:00–15:00 for maintenance)
- Access
- About 15 min by car from JR Takaharu Station (Kitto Line) or Takaharu IC (Miyazaki Expressway); about 1 h 20 min from Miyazaki city
- Water type
- Iron spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Admission
- Adults ¥600, children (0 to elementary) ¥250. Private bath ¥3,000 per 50 min (day use 10:00–14:30; reservation required at weekends and holidays). Towels sold for ¥350, soap and shampoo ¥150 each (set ¥450) — none provided. Lockers ¥100 (refundable). Hot-spring water sold (by reservation)
- Baths
- Stone-built main bath: a main pool of cloudy brown water, the 'Ichibori Ishiburo' carved from a single boulder, a raw-source cold tub filled with the ultra-high-concentration carbonated mineral water, a sauna and an open-air bath. One private bath. Paid, reservation-only hall and private rest rooms. Shop; dining mainly for overnight guests and pre-booked meals. Mt Takachiho-no-mine is visible from the grounds
- Water
- Carbon-dioxide-bearing iron spring (simple carbonated iron spring), a private source at 18°C yielding 600 L/min. In the heated tubs the iron oxidises to a cloudy brown; in the raw cold tub the carbonation is intact and bubbles bead on the skin. Drinkable. Listed among Japan's '100 famous springs'. Indicated for gastrointestinal complaints, neuralgia, gynaecological problems, poor circulation and high blood pressure
- Parking & access
- Free parking for 30–50 cars. About 10 min by car from JR Takaharu Station (Kitto Line). About 5 km (10 min) via Route 223 and Prefectural Route 413 from Takaharu IC on the Miyazaki Expressway. About 1 hour from Miyazaki Airport. 3 min walk from the 'Gokuraku Onsen-mae' bus stop (infrequent)
- Phone
- 0984-42-3326
- Official site
- gokurakuonsen.jp ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
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Why go
- Rust-red carbonated iron water, free-flowing
- Cold carbonated 'source bath' for hot-cold cycles
- From 7 am; ¥600
A lone inn of carbonated iron water at the foot of Takachiho-no-mine
Gokuraku Onsen Takumi-no-yado is a lone inn of the 'Oku-Kirishima' spa area at the foot of Takachiho-no-mine, the sacred peak of the descent-of-the-gods myth, in Takaharu, Miyazaki. Its private source, an 18°C carbon-dioxide-bearing iron spring yielding 600 litres a minute, is listed among Japan's '100 famous springs'. Heated, the iron oxidises into a cloudy brown bath; in the raw cold tub the carbonation stays lively — two faces of one water. Although it styles itself a cuisine inn ('Kyushu mountain-and-river cooking'), it welcomes day bathers from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for ¥600 and doubles as the locals' everyday bath.
The boulder-carved Ichibori bath and the ultra-carbonated cold tub
Besides the main pool of cloudy brown water, the stone bath hall holds the 'Ichibori Ishiburo', hollowed out of a single enormous boulder, with a texture all its own. The highlight is the raw cold tub of ultra-high-concentration carbonated mineral water, unheated: step into the 18°C water and silver bubbles soon cover your body, and as the CO₂ dilates the blood vessels it begins to feel warm. Alternating between the hot brown bath and the carbonated cold tub is the way to enjoy this spring; there are a sauna and an open-air bath as well. Drunk, the water is sharply fizzy and iron-flavoured, said to be good for the stomach, and some visitors buy bottles to take home.
Practical details and cautions
Day bathing is 7:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30), open daily, but closed for cleaning 10:00–15:00 on Wednesdays and occasionally at other times — a phone check is wise. Adults ¥600, children ¥250. Soap, shampoo and towels are not provided, only sold (towel ¥350, soap-and-shampoo set ¥450), so bring your own. Lockers take a refundable ¥100. The private bath is ¥3,000 per 50 minutes, 10:00–14:30 for day visitors, reservation required at weekends. It is 10 minutes by car from JR Takaharu Station or Takaharu IC, and neighbouring Yunomoto Onsen (walkable) draws on the same carbonated system, so comparing the two is a popular mini-pilgrimage.
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- Ryokan day-use hours are limited and may be suspended in peak season — phone the same morning.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Sauna & wellness
Rules & private
Mood & scenery
Price
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 Operating status and rates cross-checked against the official site and onsen guides (full source notes in Japanese on the JA page)
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
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