Kurobane Onsen; Gohomine no Yu
Kurobane, Ōtawara, Tochigi, Japan
- Location
- Kurobane, Ōtawara, Tochigi, Japan
- Water type
- sodium chloride
- Temperature
- 41 °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
Gohomine no Yu is an onsen in Kurobane, part of Ōtawara city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Its sodium-chloride water emerges at around 41°C and feeds an indoor bath, an outdoor bath (rotenburo) and a sauna, in a setting typical of traditional Japanese bathhouses.
Insider tip — In historic Kurobane, one of the stops on Matsuo Basho's legendary Oku no Hosomichi journey in 1689, Gohomine no Yu (five summits waters) connects bathers to the haiku poetry tradition born in these northern Tochigi mountains; the surrounding cedar forests and samurai heritage sites make this a literary pilgrimage as much as a bathing retreat.
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
How hot is the water?
The water runs quite hot here, around 41 °C — a sedative water that brings immediate muscle release.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features sodium chloride water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Toute l'année.