Niigata · Tsubame Onsen, Myōkō
Tsubame Onsen Kogane-no-yu (free open-air bath)
燕温泉 黄金の湯（無料野天風呂）
A free, gender-separated open-air bath at the top of Tsubame Onsen, a trailhead village at about 1,100 m on Mt Myōkō. Five minutes up a mountain path from the village you find only a simple plank changing hut and a rock tub, where flakes of 'yunohana' drift in milky sulphur water. Known as a 'triple beauty bath' for combining sulphur, bicarbonate and sulphate, it faces the flanks of Myōkō. Free of charge from sunrise to sunset, open April to November (closed in winter; boots needed while snow lingers); no bathing on Monday and Friday mornings for cleaning. Fifteen minutes further along the gorge is the mixed 'Kawara-no-yu' (Jul–Nov). No soap allowed and minimal changing space, so follow local etiquette. Walk from the terminus of the bus (about 21 min) from Sekiyama Station.
- Price (adult)
- Donation / free
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset
- Closed
- Closed Dec–Mar; Mon & Fri mornings cleaning
- Access
- About 21 min by Keinan bus from Sekiyama Station (Echigo Tokimeki Railway) to the Tsubame Onsen terminus, then 5 min on foot; about 25 min by car from Myōkō-Kōgen IC
- Water type
- Sulfur spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0255-86-3911
- Official site
- niigata-kankou.or.jp/spot/11635 ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Tsubame Onsen, Myōkō. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Free milky open-air bath facing Mt Myōkō
- 'Triple beauty water' of three spring types
- Apr–Nov only; Mon/Fri mornings cleaning
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.
- The water runs hot (43–45°C). Don't add cold water; take short repeated dips instead.
- Open seasonally only — check the official site for operating dates before you go.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Price
Who with
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 にいがた観光ナビ（無料・日の出〜日没・黄金の湯4〜11月・月金午前清掃）
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
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Tsukioka Onsen Bijin-no-izumi
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Tsukioka Onsen Furinya
An hour by car from Niigata city, a ryokan in Tsukioka Onsen, famed for water that 'makes you beautiful'. Its emerald-green spring, among the most sulfur-rich in Japan, fills indoor and open-air baths, and day use runs late — 15:00–23:00 — so you can soak while the garden is lit up. ¥800 on weekdays (¥1,000 with towel), +¥200 on weekends and holidays. Combine with the free footbath and spring-source park in the village.