Kumamoto · Yamaga & Hirayama Onsen
Yamaga Onsen Sakura-yu
山鹿温泉 さくら湯
One of Kyūshū's largest wooden bathhouses, in the centre of the old castle town of Yamaga in northern Kumamoto. Built in the Edo period as a rest house for the Hosokawa lords, its Meiji-era rebuild is attributed to Sakamoto Matahachirō, the master carpenter of Dōgo Onsen Honkan. Faithfully reconstructed in 2012, the curved-gable entrance, dragon transoms and high-ceilinged bath hall feel far grander than the ¥350 admission. The water is a clear, silky alkaline simple spring, with a drinking fountain. Open long hours, 6:00–24:00 (last entry 23:30), closed the 3rd Wednesday. Soap and towels from the vending machine. Combine with the Yachiyoza theatre (Important Cultural Property), the Buzen Kaidō streetscape and the August lantern festival.
- Price (adult)
- ¥350
- Hours
- 06:00–24:00
- Closed
- 3rd Wednesday (next day if holiday)
- Access
- About 80 min by Kyūshū Sankō bus from JR Kumamoto Station to Yamaga Onsen Plaza; or about 35 min by bus from JR Tamana Station; 15 min by car from Kikusui IC
- Water type
- Alkaline simple
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0968-43-3326
- Official site
- www.yamaga-tanbou.jp/sakurayu ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Yamaga & Hirayama Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Kyūshū's grandest wooden bathhouse, rebuilt 2012
- ¥350, open 6:00–24:00
- With Yachiyoza and the old high street
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
Mood & scenery
Price
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 ジョルダン 2026-03・ゆる〜と（大人350円・6–24時・第3水曜休）
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.