Hirayama Onsen; Hana no Bandai
Yamaga, Kumamoto, Japan
Illustration photo — not a verified picture of this exact spot.
- Location
- Yamaga, Kumamoto, Japan
- Water type
- thermal, sodium chloride
- 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
Hirayama Onsen, home to the Hana no Bandai bath, is located in Yamaga, Kumamoto Prefecture. The thermal, sodium-chloride water flows at 40°C, pH 7.3. The facility features an indoor bath, an outdoor rotenburo bath and a sauna.
Insider tip — 'Hana no Bandai' (花の番台 — flower reception desk) at Hirayama Onsen in Yamaga's Hirayama Onsen neighborhood. The 'bandai' is the wooden platform where the bath attendant sits — raised above the entrance hall, overseeing both the men's and women's sides simultaneously, collecting entry fees and monitoring the bath. It is one of the most recognizable cultural artifacts of the Japanese sento. Naming the spring for the 'flower reception desk' honours this humble but essential position in Japanese bath culture.
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 thermal & sodium chloride water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Toute l'année.