Kōnan (Jūnibō Onsen)

Jūnibō Onsen Yurara

A day-use hot spring in the Jūnibō forest of Kōnan, Shiga, near Ishibe, an old post town on the Tōkaidō. The two bathing areas, Shugen-no-yu and Momotsute-no-yu, alternate between men and women daily, each with an indoor bath, dry sauna and free-flowing open-air bath; the high-pH alkaline water feels slippery on the skin. Adults pay ¥800, and the complex also has a restaurant, gym, massage, pottery and craft workshops, an indoor onsen pool (late Apr–mid-Oct, extra) and a reservation-only campground. Open 10:00–22:00 (last entry 21:20); closed only over New Year and for maintenance. About 10 minutes by car from Kōsei Station on the JR Kusatsu line and close to Ritto-Kōnan IC — pairs well with the autumn-leaf temples of the 'Kōnan Sanzan'.