Kumamoto · Tsuetate Onsen
Tsuetate Onsen Hizenya Kissho-no-yu
杖立温泉 ひぜんや 吉祥の湯
The great open-air bath of Hizenya, an inn with more than 300 years behind it, described as among the largest in Kyushu. It is set along the Tsuetate river, so the seasons come into view while you soak, and the water is a simple spring, hypotonic, weakly alkaline and hot, running flow-through. Day bathing is 1,600 yen for adults and 800 yen for children, taken 15:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 11:30 to 23:00 on weekends and holidays. A private bath is 3,500 yen for an hour.
- Price (adult)
- ¥1,600
- Hours
- Weekdays 15:00–22:00; weekends and holidays 11:30–23:00
- Closed
- Irregular closures (check ahead)
- Access
- About 40 minutes by Hita bus for Tsuetate Onsen from Hita Station on the JR line, stepping off at the Hizenya-mae stop. By car it is roughly 40 minutes from Hita IC on the Oita Expressway via Route 212.
- Water type
- Alkaline simple
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Admission
- 1,600 yen for adults and 800 yen for children aged three to elementary school. A private family bath is 3,500 yen for an hour and needs a reservation.
- Baths
- Each side has one indoor bath and one open-air bath. The open-air bath is notable for running lengthwise along the river.
- Spring water
- A simple spring, hypotonic, weakly alkaline and hot, is used flow-through. The source is given as 98 degrees, and the water is cooled before it reaches the tub.
- Access & parking
- About 40 minutes by bus from Hita Station, stepping off at Hizenya-mae. Free parking covers around 100 cars, and by car it is roughly 40 minutes from Hita IC via Route 212.
- Day bathing
- Reception runs 15:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 11:30 to 23:00 on weekends and holidays. It is listed as open year-round, but day bathing is not accepted on some peak-season days.
- Tattoos
- No tattoo policy is published. Checking by phone beforehand is the safe course.
- Phone
- 0967-48-0141
- Official site
- hizenya.co.jp ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
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Why go
- An open-air bath among the largest in Kyushu
- Flow-through water set along the river
- Opens at 11:30 on weekends and holidays
A large open-air bath running along the river
Hizenya's Kissho-no-yu is described as an open-air bath among the largest in Kyushu. From the tub, which runs lengthwise along the Tsuetate river, the valley view comes straight ahead, and it is especially busy in cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons. The water runs flow-through, which makes it good for comparing against the other baths of the spa street.
How to enjoy it with the Tsuetate spa street
Tsuetate Onsen is a spa street with a riverside walk over the bridges, a free foot bath, and traces of old steam baths. A good plan sets Hizenya's large open-air bath at the centre and covers the other springs on foot. Day bathing is accepted late into the evening, so a visit after dinner in the spa street is possible.
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.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Rules & private
Mood & scenery
Convenience
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
Kurokawa Onsen Nyuto Tegata (bath-hopping pass)
One cedar 'nyuto tegata' pass (¥1,500) admits you to any three of the rotenburo at Kurokawa's 26-odd ryokan. Valid for six months, and one of the three stickers can be spent on food or souvenirs instead. Most inns accept bathers roughly 8:30–21:00, but hours vary and some close for cleaning or when full. Buy the pass at any ryokan or the association office 'Kaze no Ya'.
Ana-yu communal bath
A tiny bath hut on the Tanohara River, rebuilt by donations in 2022 after the 2020 floods (now separate men's and women's rooms). Slide the shutters open and it becomes almost open-air. ¥200 in the box.
Jizō-yu (Kurokawa communal bath)
The oldest communal bath in town, next to the Jizō hall that gives Kurokawa its identity. Not covered by the bath-hopping pass, but only ¥200. No soap; the water runs hot.
