Ishikawa · Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga
Yamanaka Onsen Kiku-no-yu (Sōyu)
山中温泉 総湯 菊の湯
The communal 'sōyu' of Yamanaka, praised by the poet Bashō as one of Japan's three finest baths. Men's and women's halls stand in separate buildings across the street; the deep, hot (~43°C) pool is the signature. 6:45 am to 10 pm, ¥500. Bring your own soap.
- Price (adult)
- ¥500
- Hours
- 06:45–22:00
- Closed
- 2nd & 4th Tue
- Access
- Bus from JR Kaga-Onsen Station (30 min) to Kiku-no-yu-mae
- Water type
- Sulfate spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0761-78-4026
- Official site
- www.yamanaka-spa.or.jp ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Bashō's celebrated bath for ¥500
- Rare separate buildings for men and women
- Famous deep, hot pool
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
Baths
Price
Mood & scenery
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 rurubu2026/yuru-to
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Wakura Onsen Sōyu
Salty water rising from the Noto sea, for ¥500. The community anchor of the onsen town, still operating after the 2024 Noto earthquake. Open-air and indoor baths plus a rest area.
Yamashiro Onsen Ko-Sōyu
A faithful reconstruction of the Meiji-era public bath, with stained glass and Kutani-ware tiles. No washing stations — you simply soak, the old way. The combined ticket with the adjacent Sōyu is the better deal.
Katayamazu Onsen Sōyu
An all-glass communal bath on the shore of Lake Shibayama in Katayamazu, part of the Kaga onsen cluster, designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi. The lake-facing 'Kata-no-yu' and garden-facing 'Mori-no-yu' swap between men and women on odd and even days; for ¥500 you get the Hakusan peaks and the lake to yourself. The salty chloride water keeps you warm long after. Open from 6:00 to 22:00, with a café upstairs (closed Thursdays) selling onsen eggs. About 10 min by bus from Kaga-Onsen Station.