Tochigi · Shiobara Onsen
Shiobara Akatsuki-no-Yu
塩原温泉 塩原あかつきの湯
A day-use hot spring in Sekiya, Nasushiobara, near the Yunoka Shiobara roadside station at the gateway to the Shiobara spa valley. The source flows at 68.4°C and 250 litres a minute, so the open-air bath runs 100% free-flowing spring water. The slightly tea-coloured, silky alkaline simple spring is known as a skin-beautifying bath; the indoor pool seats about 20 and the outdoor one about 10, both roomy. There are a sauna, cold plunge, jet lounger and a swimwear spa pool popular with families. Adults pay ¥800 on weekdays and ¥1,000 on weekends and holidays (children 4 to elementary age ¥400/¥500); after 5 pm on weekdays the evening rate drops to ¥600. Open 10:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00), closed the third Wednesday (next day if a holiday). Restaurant, rest room, massage and free parking for 150 cars. About 20 minutes by car from JR Nishi-Nasuno Station or 10 minutes from the Nishinasuno-Shiobara IC on the Tōhoku Expressway – a handy last stop after a drive through the Shiobara gorge or Nasu.
- Price (adult)
- ¥800
- Hours
- 10:00–22:00
- Closed
- 3rd Wednesday (next day if holiday)
- Access
- About 10 min by car from Nishinasuno-Shiobara IC via Route 400; about 20 min by car from JR Nishi-Nasuno Station; JR bus for Shiobara Onsen to 'Sekiya', then 10 min on foot
- Water type
- Alkaline simple
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0287-35-2711
- Official site
- http://www.acatsuki.co.jp/shiobara ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Shiobara Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Free-flowing open-air bath; 250 L/min source
- Silky alkaline 'beautiful-skin' water
- ¥800 weekdays, ¥600 after 5 pm; open till 22:00
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Sauna & wellness
Price
Who with
Rules & private
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 ゆる〜と／tripfolio（公式2025：平日800円 土日祝1,000円・夜間600円・10–22時 受付21:00・第3水曜休）
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Moto-yu Shika-no-yu
The 1,300-year-old birthplace of Nasu Onsen. Inside the wooden bathhouse, tubs are graded from 41 to 48°C, all fed with milky, strongly acidic sulfur water. No showers, no soap — start with the traditional head-dousing ritual.
Kojika-no-yu
A day-use facility on the same source as Shika-no-yu, open every day until 9 pm with an open-air bath and private rooms. Ideal for families or anyone daunted by Shika-no-yu's rituals — the milky water is identical.
Kinugawa Onsen Niouson Plaza (day bathing)
A small riverside hotel on the south side of Kinugawa Onsen, five minutes from Tobu World Square Station. While the big hotels stop day bathing around 15:00, this one welcomes walk-ins 9:00–21:00 for ¥700. Its own alkaline sulfur spring (43.6 °C) flows 100% free into a quirky set of baths: a rotenburo made from an actual Kinugawa river-cruise boat, a rock rotenburo, indoor baths and a swimsuit mixed bath. The slightly cool, silky water is highly rated by onsen fans.