Okayama · Yubara Onsen
Maga Onsenkan (Yubara Onsen area)
真賀温泉館（湯原温泉郷）
The communal bath of Maga Onsen, a tiny hamlet of stone stairways on a slope above a tributary of the Asahi River in the Yubara Onsen area. Legend says a defeated warrior healed his wounds here some 700 years ago. The star is the 'Makuyu', a mixed rock bath of about 1.6 × 2 m and 1.2 m deep, so you soak standing up — often called Japan's smallest mixed bath — with lukewarm 39°C water bubbling up through cracks in the rock floor. The men's and women's baths connect to it and cost ¥250; the Makuyu is ¥400 (max 8 people, one hour) and a private bath ¥1,300 for up to three. Open 08:00–21:00 (last entry 20:10), closed Tuesdays (open on holidays). No towels allowed in the mixed bath, so be prepared. About 20 minutes by car from Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station.
- Price (adult)
- ¥250
- Hours
- 08:00–21:00
- Closed
- Tue (open if a holiday)
- Access
- About 20 min by car from JR Chūgoku-Katsuyama Station, or Maniwa community bus to 'Maga Onsen'; about 10 min by car from Yubara IC
- Water type
- Alkaline simple
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0867-62-2953
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Yubara Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Stand-up 'smallest mixed bath' Makuyu
- 39°C water welling up underfoot
- ¥250 separate baths, ¥400 Makuyu
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.
- There is a mixed-gender area. Check the description for bathing garments and women-only hours.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Rules & private
Price
Who with
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 ゆる〜と 2025-10 口コミ／tan-ken（普通湯250円・幕湯400円・8–21時 受付20:10・火曜休 祝日営業）
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Yubara Onsen Sunayu
A natural open-air bath on the Asahi River gravel bed right below Yubara Dam, where water bubbles up through the riverbed itself — ranked the 'western grand champion' of Japan's rotenburo. Three pools at different temperatures; mixed, free and open 24 hours. Only a simple changing hut, so women are advised to wear a bathing garment (sold and rented in town). Closed Wednesday mornings for cleaning. Photography strictly forbidden.
Yunogo Onsen Sagi Onsen-kan
The source bath of Yunogo Onsen, where legend says the monk Ennin found an egret healing its wounds some 1,200 years ago. One of the three famed Mimasaka hot springs, an hour by car from Okayama. The town-run bathhouse charges ¥800 for indoor and open-air baths across two bathing wings linked by a moving walkway, alternating daily. Open 8:00–21:00; the 'all-day rest' plan lets you come and go until closing. Bring your own food.
Okutsu Onsen Hanabijin-no-Sato
A town-run day spa at Okutsu Onsen, one of the three Mimasaka hot springs and famous for the autumn colours of Okutsu Gorge. The airy, high-ceilinged main bath holds pH 9-plus alkaline 'beauty water', with a rotenburo, family baths and sauna. ¥880, 10:00–19:00, closed Thursdays. The gorge trail is within walking distance, so it fills up after leaf-viewing in autumn. Forty minutes by car from Tsuyama.