Ehime · Nibukawa Onsen, Imabari
Nibukawa Onsen Kairakuso
鈍川温泉 皆楽荘
An onsen ryokan at the far end of the Nibukawa Onsen hamlet strung along Nibukawa Gorge in Tamagawa-cho, Imabari, Ehime. Originally built as a rest facility for the Shin-Kurushima Dock shipyard, it is a mid-sized inn that also handles large banquets and groups. Nibukawa Onsen is said to date back to the Heian period; its alkaline simple spring water containing radon (a sodium chloride-bicarbonate spring) is colourless yet slippery to the touch - some even rate the water above Dogo. Locals name Kairakuso when quality is the priority. Day bathing runs 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00) at a bargain 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. Wrapped in gorge greenery, it also suits unhurried healing stays. Closed the 1st and 3rd Mondays.
- Price (adult)
- ¥500
- Hours
- 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00)
- Closed
- 1st & 3rd Mondays
- Access
- 283 Nibukawa-ko, Tamagawa-cho, Imabari, Ehime (postal code 794-0121). About 30 minutes by bus or car from JR Imabari Station, or about 30 minutes from the Imabari-Yunoura IC on the Imabari-Komatsu Expressway. Parking available.
- Water type
- Alkaline simple
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0898-55-2350
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
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Why go
- Nibukawa Onsen of Heian-era legend - alkaline simple spring with radon and a slippery feel
- Bargain day bathing: 500 yen adults, 300 yen children; 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00)
- A former shipyard rest house at the far end of the onsen hamlet - healing-spa calm in the gorge
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
Baths
Price
Convenience
Who with
Mood & scenery
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-10 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.
More in this area
Dogo Onsen Honkan
Built in 1894 and the first public bathhouse designated an Important Cultural Property, the Honkan is Dogo's symbol. Full operation resumed in 2024 after a five-and-a-half-year restoration. The ground-floor 'Kami no Yu' is ¥700 for bathing only; upper floors add a rest room with tea. Soft alkaline water. Quietest right after the 6 am opening or after 9 pm.
Dogo Onsen Tsubaki-no-Yu
The locals' bath for anyone who wants to skip the Honkan queue. Same source water for ¥500 with almost no wait. Bring or buy soap.
Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu
An annex opened in 2017 in Asuka-period style with Ehime craftwork throughout, plus an open-air bath the Honkan lacks. Upstairs rest rooms and a private special bath limited to five groups a day.
