Table of Contents
In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know to get to a free public onsen situated in Hirayu. Visiting this beautiful tatoo-friendly onsen really was one of our highlights of Japan, and we are super excited to recommend this awesome spot.
It is possible to visit the Hirayu-No-Yu Onsen as an independent day trip from Takayama. If you do this independently by bus, it is an impressively affordable and fun trip.
However, there are some important things that you need to know before you go. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip, including bus information and times, prices, and how to find the onsen when you get there.
This article is an in-depth, step-by-step guide to help you plan an intrepid and off-the-beaten-track experience in Central Japan.
WHY NOT BOOK A TOUR? – If you’re the kind of person that likes to be meticulously organized you may be interested in booking an Epic Hot Spring Tour From Takayama
Details in brief – Hirayu-No-Yu public onsen
Hirayu Public Onsen (平湯の湯) is a free public hot spring situated in the beautiful mountain town of Hirayu (which is around one hour from Takayama by bus). Buses from Takayama Central bus station depart roughly every hour and the journey costs 1,600 yen each way (Roughly £8 or $10). There is a short five-minute walk to find the onsen in Hirayu.
Do not confuse the Hirayu-No-Yu free public onsen with the Hirayu-No-Mori Hotel Onsen nearby. The latter is not free to use, but it is open to the public for a very reasonable price of 700 yen (they also have private onsens for 3,000 yen for 45 minutes). People with tattoos are welcome in both of these onsens.
Keep reading for more details and a step-by-step guide on how to get to the Hirayu-No-Yu free public onsen.
What is the Hirayu-No-Yu onsen like?
Hirayu-No-Yu Onsen is a very small and beautiful hot spring situated in a small mountain town surrounded by pine forest and stunning peaks. There are two small hot spring baths situated here separated for male and female use. We were very impressed with the outdoor design which enables you to gaze at the mountain peaks whilst you lie back and relax in geothermal mineral water, and yet maintains privacy from anyone not using the bath.
The water is relatively shallow (around knee-deep for an adult), the temperature is similar to a hot bath generally ranging between 39 degrees Celsius and 41° Celsius. There is a consistent flow of mineral-rich geothermal water into the bath (it has a particularly high concentration of iron oxide resulting in a red deposit on the surrounding rocks). There are a couple of volcanoes in the area (contributing to the geothermally heated water in these hot springs. For example, the nearby Yakedake volcano which is actually an active volcano!) You can use this Onsen throughout the year in any weather. In fact, outdoor onsens are arguably at their best when the weather is at its worst! There’s something deeply invigorating about the contrast of hot geothermal water and icy cold damp air.
Is it worth visiting Hirayu-No-Yu Public Onsen?
Yes, in our opinion, it is well worth visiting the Hirayu-No-Yu Public onsen. Not only is it situated in a very beautiful mountain town, a visit to this beautiful onsen is a very unique local experience. Geothermal hot spring water is widely recognized for its health benefits. There is also something deeply relaxing and invigorating about taking a dip in an open geothermal hot spring, especially in such a beautiful location. Being located off the beaten track gives you that lovely local vibe. This hot spring is frequented by friendly locals. In our opinion, it is well worth visiting this hot spring if you are able to fit this into your itinerary.
Do you need to bathe naked at the Hirayu-No-Yu Onsen?
Yes, in Japanese culture, you bathe naked in an onsen. Strictly speaking, if you want to follow local customs and culture, then you should bathe naked at this onsen. There is a dedicated male and female onsen with separate private changing areas. The hot spring itself is also very discreet and allows privacy. However, it is worth being aware that you may see guests using the onsen. So although you will not be exposed to members of the opposite sex, you need to be prepared to share the onsen with members of the same sex. If you are uncomfortable with this notion, we recommend bringing swimming shorts.
How do you get to the Hirayu-No-Yu – public hot spring?
1 Take the bus
Most people who visit Hirayu stay in Takayama. It is relatively easy to travel from Takayama to Hirayu by bus. Firstly, you will need to get to the Takayama bus station, which is situated next to the train station (Takayama Nohi Bus Station).
Buses depart seven days a week every hour. Here is a specific bus schedule.
Takayama to Hirayu Bus Schedule
7am 7.40am 8.40am 9.40am 10.40am 11.40am 12.40pm 1.40pm 2.40pm 3.40pm 4.40pm 5.40pm 6.40pm
Hirayu to Takayama bus schedule
6.45am 7.30am 8.30am 9.30am 10.00am 10.30am 11.30am 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm 4.30pm 5.30pm
We recommend arriving at the bus station at least 15 minutes before your bus is scheduled to depart. You will need to purchase your ticket in the ticket office. You can either do this using one of the automatic vending machines or there is also a ticket desk. If you are using the vending machine, there is an English language option.
Select ticket for “Okuhida Onsenkyo and Shinhodaka ropeway.” Cash and card payments accepted (both at the desk and the machine). Adult bus tickets cost 1600 yen (£8 or $10) to the onsen (Children 6 – 12 years old pay half price for a ticket, 800 yen – £4 or $5). Children under six years old do not need to pay.
Once you have purchased your ticket, you can wait for the bus at Bus stand number 5. There is also a small convenience store to buy snacks and drinks situated in the ticket office area. As you would expect, buses in Japan are very punctual and keep to the schedule carefully.
The bus has charging sockets but no toilet on board. It is a very beautiful bus journey into the mountains.The bus journey takes approximately one hour and drops you off at the Hirayu bus terminal (Bus tickets office, restaurant, shop, and public toilet).
2 Walk to the Onsen
From the best terminal, it is a five-minute walk to the free onsen. We have marked the location of the onsen on the map. Here is a description of the directions: As you exit at the bus station, turn left and walk carefully along the main road. Note that there are no public footpaths along this main road. Follow the main road as it bends to the right.
Walk through around five minutes, watching out for a beautiful Shrine to your right. Turn right at this Shrine. Out to this location, you will see a very beautiful historic heritage house. The onsen is located just next to this house.
What are the facilities like at Hirayu-No-Yu hot spring?
Considering that it is completely free of charge to enter and use this hot spring, the facilities are excellent. There are separate male and female onsens, each of which has its own changing room area. The changing rooms are relatively clean and have benches, shelves for clothing, and lockers which are available to rent for 100 yen. It is important to recognize that there is not a public toilet available in this area. The closest public toilets are situated at the bus terminal, around a 5-minute walk away.
There is also a 250-year-old traditional Japanese rest house situated right next to the onsen. The rest house is free to use and has tables and mats. There is also a section displaying traditional agricultural equipment upstairs.
Can you go to the Hirayu Public Onsen with a tattoo?
Yes, it is possible to visit the Hirayu Public Onsen with a tattoo. There are no rules prohibiting tattoos at this onsen, and there is no need to cover up tattoos. This is a public onsen which is not generally staffed, and you do not need to pay any entry fees to go here.
Does it get busy at the Hirayu-No-Yu Public onsen?
No, it does not get busy at the Hirayu Public Onsen. We visited during April (high season for blossom). Both the town and the onsen were very quiet. There was a steady flow of locals popping into use the onsen.
A few important rules for using onsens in Japan
Japan has a reputation for its polite, traditional, and conservative culture. There is strong etiquette and customs associated with onsens. Learning about this unique culture is both fascinating and also a great way to show respect for locals. We really enjoyed learning about and connecting with Japanese culture. Here are a few tips if you are planning to go to a Japanese onsen:
- Generally you will need to bathe naked in a Japanese onsen (in some cases they may permit you to wear swimming shorts but this is counter-cultural).
- It is also important to wash yourself before you enter the bath. In some cases, you will see a shower; in other cases, you will see a tap, and in some cases, you will simply need to take water from the onsen using a bucket and wash yourself. All of these methods of pre-washing are acceptable.
- In general, you will be expected to use a towel when you are walking around between the onsen baths (although this is not essential). When you are using your towel, it is important not to dip the towel in the onsen water.
- You are not allowed to wash or use soap in the onsen. The onsen is simply for soaking and relaxing. Once you have finished using the onsen, it is considered polite to dry yourself before you enter the changing room.
FIND OUT MORE – Don’t miss our full guide to the Best things to see and do in Takayama
