Kitano Onsen; Pokkapoka no Yu
Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
- Location
- Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
- Water type
- thermal, sodium chloride
- Temperature
- 39 °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
Kitano Onsen, also known as Pokkapoka no Yu, is located in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. Sodium-chloride water reaches around 39°C here, with an indoor bath, an outdoor rotenburo bath and a sauna.
Insider tip — 'Pokkapoka no Yu' (ぽかぽかの湯 — gentle warmth spring) at Kitano Onsen in Kurume. 'Pokkapoka' is one of the warmest words in the Japanese language — an onomatopoeia for the cosy, gentle warmth of sunlight on skin or a mild hot spring. Kitano-cho, now part of Kurume, was historically a market town on the Chikugo plain. The unpretentious, approachable name of this onsen perfectly captures the community bath philosophy: warmth as the equaliser, available to everyone.
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
How hot is the water?
The water runs quite hot here, around 39 °C — a sedative water that brings immediate muscle release.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features thermal & sodium chloride water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Toute l'année.