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Unzen Yokayu
Unzen Yokayu
Unzen Yokayu
Unzen Yokayu
Nagasaki

Unzen Yokayu

3.9 (407)SpaPublic BathPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Unzen Yokayu is a geothermal area located in Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. The site sits within Unzen-Amakusa National Park, Japan's first national park designated in 1934. The word "yokayu" translates roughly to "boiling water," an apt description for this dramatic volcanic landscape where steam vents, bubbling mud pools, and sulfurous fumaroles create an otherworldly atmosphere.

The geothermal activity at Unzen Yokayu has been documented for centuries, with the area gaining notoriety during the 17th century when it became a site of Christian persecution. Hidden Christians were brought here and subjected to torture by the scalding hot springs, a dark chapter that adds historical weight to the location. Today, the site is recognized not for its tragic past but for its striking natural phenomena and therapeutic hot spring culture.

Visitors can explore a network of walking paths that wind through the active geothermal field, passing over 30 fumaroles that emit steam at temperatures reaching 98-120 degrees Celsius. The trails are well-maintained and take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace. The intense sulfur smell permeates the area, and the sight of steam rising against the mountainous backdrop creates a memorable sensory experience. Many visitors purchase onsen tamago, eggs boiled in the hot spring water, from vendors near the site.

Unzen Yokayu is accessible from Nagasaki City via bus, with the journey taking approximately 90 minutes. Buses depart from Nagasaki Station and terminate at Unzen Bus Terminal, located within walking distance of the geothermal area. For those traveling from Kumamoto, buses take roughly 2.5 hours. There is no admission fee to enter the geothermal area itself, making it freely accessible throughout the year.


Hours
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Phone
+81 957-73-2003
Website
www.unzen-yokayu.co.jp


The area

Address
380 Obamachō Unzen, Unzen, Nagasaki 854-0621, Japan

Hours

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Phone

+81 957-73-2003

Website

www.unzen-yokayu.co.jp

What other travelers are saying about Unzen Yokayu

I tried 4 public Onsens in Unzen and this one was my favourite. It was the biggest, had some nice extrernal pool (although very small) and there were two big vases where you can take a bath and set the temperature yourself using the tap.

Nearby attractions to see

A vibrant traditional Chinese temple with ornate roof decorations, red pillars, intricate carvings, and two stone lion statues at the entrance under a blue sky.

Confucius Shrine (Koshi-byo)

A lifebuoy labeled "Nagasaki" is attached to a post on a waterfront promenade, overlooking a marina with boats, buildings, and distant green hills under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Dejima

A circular flower bed with colorful blooms is centered on a stone walkway in front of a historic house with a tiled roof, arched veranda, and pastel shutters under a cloudy sky.

Glover Garden

A stone arch bridge spans a calm river lined with stone walls and walkways, surrounded by modern buildings and lush green trees, with mountains in the background under a blue sky with clouds.

Meganebashi Bridge (Spectacles Bridge)

Nearby attractions to see

A vibrant traditional Chinese temple with ornate roof decorations, red pillars, intricate carvings, and two stone lion statues at the entrance under a blue sky.

Confucius Shrine (Koshi-byo)

A lifebuoy labeled "Nagasaki" is attached to a post on a waterfront promenade, overlooking a marina with boats, buildings, and distant green hills under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Dejima

A circular flower bed with colorful blooms is centered on a stone walkway in front of a historic house with a tiled roof, arched veranda, and pastel shutters under a cloudy sky.

Glover Garden

A stone arch bridge spans a calm river lined with stone walls and walkways, surrounded by modern buildings and lush green trees, with mountains in the background under a blue sky with clouds.

Meganebashi Bridge (Spectacles Bridge)


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the designated walking paths are safe and maintained with protective barriers around active fumaroles. Visitors must stay on marked pathways as ground temperatures outside these areas are dangerously high. People with respiratory conditions should be cautious due to sulfur gases.

No, the geothermal vents at Unzen Yokayu reach temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius and cannot be used for bathing. The surrounding Unzen area has numerous ryokan and public bathhouses with hot spring baths at safe temperatures, including day-use facilities.

Autumn and winter provide the most visible steam plumes due to cooler air temperatures. The site is accessible year-round. Winter occasionally brings snow, while spring features azalea blooms in the surrounding park.

Plan 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to walk the trail circuit and observe the geothermal features. Allocate half a day if visiting nearby hot spring facilities or other Unzen attractions.

Unzen town center is 5-10 minutes walking distance and has restaurants, shops, and convenience stores. Public restrooms are available near the geothermal area. Unzen Bus Terminal offers tourist information services with English-speaking staff.
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Ghael
Apr 14, 2025
I'm giving this place 5 stars because the hot spring is open for day use until 9pm. Awesome! The bathing area is simple and not large. The hot spring water is good. You can tell it's coming from volcanically active ground. Also, if you are camping at the nearby campground, this place is perfect for a hot spring dip. It's a 5 minute walk from the campground.
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Chris
Aug 5, 2023
ONSEN review: entrance ¥450 for the public onsen (free if you stay at the hotel), ¥1100 for the private one (one hour, price per room), shampoos provided in the private, soap provided in the public, you need to bring your own towel. Operating hours: 09:00 - 21:00, there is parking. *Public onsen: large changing room with free lockers and hairdryer, toilet, two wash basins with mirrors, fan and aircon. There is 3 tubs, one indoor and two outdoor. You enter the bathing area at the indoor tub, quite spacious with five places to wash up with a stool, mirror and shower heads. The floor and the walls are made of tiles. The tub is medium size, rectangular shape, situated at the top right corner of the room and made of tiles. Half the room has windows instead of walls which allow plenty of natural light in. The water was hazy, smelled of sulfur and had some sulfur particles in. The outdoor area has two tubs, a small sized square shape and a medium-small sized rectangular shape, both made of tiles. The floor is half made of tiles and half of stones. The outer area is not that big, has some flowers and is overlooking a nice green slope with trees. *Private onsen: small changing area with free hairdryer. The bathing area has one place to wash up with a stool and a shower head. The tub is small size, rectangular shape, situated on the corner of the room, made of tiles. Floor and bottom half the walls are made of tiles (upper part of walls have wood). The water was the same as in the public one, hazy, smelled of sulfur and had some sulfur particles in. One of the rooms (bathed a couple of times) had also a big window. Facilities were well maintained and clean. There is common place to relax afterwards or private place (¥1100 for one hour, ¥500 per hour afterwards). Plus a little shop selling beverages and snacks. Simple sulfur spring, acidic, source temperature 52.4°C, pH 2.3, water flow 86.8 lt/min, metasilicic acid 308.9mg, gensen kakenagashi. **Lovely onsen hotel, spent a few nights while exploring onsen. Very friendly service! Spacious room, floor and walls all made of wood, fridge, microwave and a fully equipped kitchen to cook (just bring your own spices, oil etc.). They also rent e-bikes.
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Dia KL
Jan 23, 2022
硫磺臭するの露天温泉です♨ 400 yen for one person You may buy something to eat and stay in the public resting room after going onzen~it's quite small but you'll view a natural scenery. There is not a must-go place in Unzen, but it's surely good for u to take a rest and enjoy an ordinary Japanese life
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Kelly Yu
May 25, 2019
They have 2 private baths which make it easy to enjoy onsen with the family. If you want to do a day trip and want to use a onsen outside the 12-3pm time frame when all the other hotels stop accepting day tripper, this shop is a good choice for you.
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Reuben Kan
Dec 30, 2019