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Yamagata · Hijiori Onsen

Hijiori Onsen Kami-no-yu communal bath

肘折温泉 共同浴場 上の湯

Hijiori Onsen, 1,200 years old, is a cure-spa where inns huddle at the bottom of a caldera in Ōkura village, Yamagata. Right in the middle of the street stands Kami-no-yu, the only communal bath open to visitors. A small bathhouse with an attendant's counter, it has slightly hot free-flowing sodium-chloride/bicarbonate water and a tiny Yakushi shrine in the corner of the tub. Adults pay ¥400 (free for guests of the village inns); open 08:00–18:00 (until 17:00 in winter), no bathing on Thursday mornings for cleaning. The Hijiori way is to pair it with the morning market that sets up from about 5–6 am (Apr–Nov). In winter this is one of Japan's snowiest places, and just walking the street between snow walls is an experience. About 55 minutes by bus from Shinjō Station.

Essentials

Price (adult)
¥400
Hours
08:00–18:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
Closed
Thu mornings (cleaning)
Access
About 55 min by village bus from JR Shinjō Station to the Hijiori Onsen terminus; about 40 min by car from Funagata IC
Water type
Bicarbonate spring
Tattoos
Ask ahead
Phone
0233-76-2211
Official site
hijiori.jp ↗
Open in Google Maps
Google Maps ↗

Stay in this onsen town

Compare and book stays in Hijiori Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.

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Why go

  • Only visitor-open bath in a caldera spa town
  • Free-flowing bath with a Yakushi shrine
  • Morning market (Apr–Nov), snow-wall streets

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

Only here

✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 ニフティ温泉 2026年度版(大人400円・8–17時)/秘湯宿.com(8–18時 冬期17時・木曜午前清掃)

Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.

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