Shimagahara Onsen; Yabuccha no Yu
Iga, Mie, Japan
Illustration photo — not a verified picture of this exact spot.
- Location
- Iga, Mie, 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
Yabuccha no Yu, in Iga (Mie prefecture), in the Shimagahara hamlet, heats sodium-chloride water to 41°C. An indoor bath, an outdoor rotenburo bath, and a sauna are offered in this rural setting.
Insider tip — Yabuccha no Yu serves the Shimagahara district of Iga City where the Nabari River valley forms the eastern boundary of the ancient Iga basin — the mountain-enclosed hollow that made the Iga region the perfect incubator for the secretive Iga-ryu ninjutsu tradition. The Shimagahara mountain approaches were historically the most difficult access routes into the Iga basin, and the narrow gorge roads through the Nabari River canyon that ninja operatives used to vanish from pursuit still create the atmosphere of dramatic mountain concealment that made the Iga region Japan most impenetrable natural fortress.
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.