Himeshaga-no-Yu: A Day-Use Bath with Cool, Naturally Carbonated Spring Water
Compare Himeshaga-no-Yu’s 22°C source bath and 36°C warmed spring, then check its limited opening days and transport options before going.
Checked: September 27, 2026
Himeshaga-no-Yu in Hida-Osaka is known for two very different spring temperatures: a naturally carbonated source bath at about 22°C and a larger spring bath warmed to around 36°C. It is a poor last-minute detour if you are relying on public transport, but a distinctive stop if you are already exploring the Hida-Osaka area and have checked that it is open.
Check the operating days before planning around it
As of September 2026, the facility lists Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Japanese public holidays as operating days.
| Detail | Current listing |
|---|---|
| Bathing hours | 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Reception closes | 8:30 p.m. |
| Adult admission | ¥950 from August 1, 2026 |
The official bathing page still displays the former ¥900 price. Use the dated price notice and current homepage instead, and check again before travelling for any special closure.
What the two spring baths feel like
The spring-fed bath is about 22°C and is used without heating or storage. That is cool water, not a conventional hot bath. The larger bath uses the same naturally carbonated spring and is warmed to around 36°C. The facility describes this as a temperature at which carbon dioxide is less likely to escape from the water. Expect a gentler warmth than a typical 40°C-plus bath; you can skip the cooler pool if it does not suit you.
Other facilities include an outdoor bath, a bubble bath and a Finnish-style sauna. The operator specifically describes the large carbonated bath as free-flowing and heated, and the source bath as unheated and unstored. It does not provide matching water-treatment details for every tub, so those descriptions should not be extended to the entire facility.
There is also a drinking-water point outside. The operator says it has permission for drinking use, but do not assume that every spring bath is drinkable; follow the facility’s signs and current instructions.
The station is close by train, not by foot
Hida-Osaka Station is roughly 25 minutes from Gero or 35 minutes from Takayama by local train, according to the facility. From the station, a taxi ride takes about 15 minutes. The bath offers station pickup only for guests using both the bath and restaurant, with a reservation made at least two days ahead; the current access page limits this service to weekends. It is not a walk-up shuttle, and the express Hida train does not stop at Hida-Osaka.
If you are travelling without a car, confirm the return train and pickup availability before you commit to the detour. If you would rather stay within the hot-spring district itself, use the Gero day-use onsen guide to compare baths in town.
A good fit for a planned stop
Come for the contrast between the cool source bath and the warmer carbonated bath, not for a quick soak between trains. The facility is outside the Gero hot-spring district, opens only on selected days, and requires advance planning for station pickup. Drivers have more flexibility; public-transport visitors should treat the train, taxi or prearranged pickup as part of the visit rather than assume there will be a convenient bus.
