Ishikawa · Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga
Yamashiro Onsen Sōyu
山代温泉 総湯
The public bathhouse at the heart of Yamashiro Onsen's 'Yu-no-gawa' square in the Kaga hot-spring region, a spa 1,300 years old. In Kaga communal baths are called 'sōyu', and even ryokan guests walk over in yukata. The entrance reuses the gate of the old Yoshinoya inn; inside is spacious and clean, with one big tub of fresh undiluted water (sodium-calcium sulphate-chloride) flowing freely. Adults ¥500, open 06:00–22:00, closed only on the morning of the 4th Wednesday. A ¥900 combined ticket includes the 'Ko-sōyu' opposite (¥700), a recreation of the Meiji-era bathhouse with Kutani-ware tiles and stained glass — comparing the two is the classic plan. Soap and shampoo are sold, not provided. About 10 minutes by bus from Kaga-Onsen Station.
- Price (adult)
- ¥500
- Hours
- 06:00–22:00 (shop 07:00–19:00)
- Closed
- Closed 4th Wednesday 06:00–12:00 (opens at noon)
- Access
- About 10 min by Kaga Onsen 'Can Bus' from JR Kaga-Onsen Station to 'Yamashiro Onsen Sōyu'; about 15 min by car from Kaga IC
- Water type
- Sulfate spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Admission
- Adults ¥500 / ages 6–11 ¥150 / 3–5 ¥70 / under 3 free. Combined ticket with the Ko-Soyu ¥1,000. Free on the 26th. 1–3 Jan: 7–21
- Baths
- Opened 2009 on the site of the Yoshinoya inn linked to Rosanjin. Indoor baths per gender (100% undiluted source via heat exchanger, water changed daily), full washing area, a bright bathroom under a large skylight, hand-painted Kutani tiles by local artists on the walls. Shop on site
- Water
- Sodium-calcium sulfate-chloride spring, clear, about 42–43 °C. Said to help neuralgia, poor circulation and skin
- Phone
- 0761-76-0144
- Official site
- yamashiro-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
- Heart of Yu-no-gawa, undiluted free-flowing
- From 6 am for ¥500; closed 4th Wed morning
- ¥900 combo ticket with Ko-sōyu
The modern half of the pair: the Soyu where you can wash
The Yamashiro Soyu is a modern communal bath built in 2009 on the site of the Yoshinoya inn where the young Rosanjin once stayed. If the reconstructed Ko-Soyu opposite is about “experience”, this one is about everyday life — with washing stations, showers, soap and shampoo, it is where locals start and end their day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. A heat exchanger lets it use 100% undiluted source water, changed daily, and the bathroom, flooded with light from a big skylight, is lined with colourful hand-painted tiles by local Kutani-ware artists. ¥500, or ¥1,000 combined with the Ko-Soyu.
Tips & cautions
- Order: Soyu (wash) then Ko-Soyu (soak). The combined ticket is sold at either.
- Opens 6 a.m.; busiest with locals in the morning and after dinner.
- Free on the 26th; opens at noon on the 4th Wednesday.
- Shop (7–19) sells towels and drinks. Lockers available.
- Touring the three Kaga spas (Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu)? The CAN BUS day pass is handy.
Getting there
~12 min by CAN BUS or local bus from JR Kaga-Onsen Station to “Yamashiro Onsen Soyu/Ko-Soyu” (Manshoen-dori 2-1). ~15 min from Kaga IC. Free parking for ~100.
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
Who with
Convenience
Only here
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 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
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 7:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30), and from January 2026 closed on the 25th of each month (the following Monday if it falls on a weekend). Open-air and indoor baths, a rest area, and free parking for 90.
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.
Yamanaka Onsen Kiku-no-yu (Sōyu)
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.
