Benibana Onsen; Hina no Yu
Kahoku, Yamagata, Japan
- Location
- Kahoku, Yamagata, Japan
- Water type
- sodium chloride, thermal
- Temperature
- 40 °C
- pH
- 7.3
Water profile
Thermicity
Sedative
LowHigh
Relaxing — deep, immediate muscle release.
Mineralisation
Restorative
LowHigh
Loaded with major ions — the essential minerals (Ca, Mg).
Buoyancy
Effortless float
LowHigh
Dense, salty water — you float without effort.
SodiumChloruresBrome
Benibana Onsen, known as Hina no Yu, is located in Kahoku, Yamagata Prefecture, an area historically tied to safflower (benibana) cultivation. Its sodium-chloride thermal water flows at around 40°C (pH 7.3), with an indoor bath, an outdoor rotenburo and a sauna.
Insider tip — Kahoku-machi is Japan's unrivaled safflower (benibana) capital — the vivid orange-red flowers were historically the most precious red dye source in Japan, more valuable by weight than gold, supplying Kyoto's imperial court and Edo's kabuki actors with color for garments and cosmetics. The safflower fields bloom in July in a spectacular blaze of saffron yellow-to-red. Hina no Yu (Doll Spring) takes the seasonal femininity of safflower culture and pairs it with Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day) associations — a deeply poetic Yamagata onsen name rooted in centuries of craft and ceremonial tradition.
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
How hot is the water?
The water runs quite hot here, around 40 °C — a sedative water that brings immediate muscle release.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features sodium chloride & thermal water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Toute l'année.