Iwai Onsen Day Trip: Yukamuri Onsen, Iwaiya or Akashiya?
Compare Iwai Yukamuri, Iwaiya and Akashiya by current prices, bathing windows, private options and the bus back from the village.
In Iwai Onsen, the first decision is usually the clock. The public Yukamuri Onsen opens early and stays open through the day; Iwaiya takes day visitors for a short midday session on four days of the week; Akashiya’s general bathing window starts in the afternoon. Choose around the time you can reach the village, then check the bus back before committing.
| Bath | Adult / child admission | Day-use window | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iwai Yukamuri Onsen, the public bath | ¥380 / ¥190 through September 30, 2026; ¥480 / ¥240 from October 1 | 6:00–22:00, with two brief cleaning breaks | The simplest, lowest-cost visit; no need to book a room |
| Iwaiya | ¥1,000 / ¥500 | Friday–Monday, 12:00–14:00; last entry 13:30 | A very short visit window; maintenance or busy dates can change it |
| Akashiya | ¥1,000 / ¥500 | Weekdays and Sundays, 15:00–20:00; not the day before a holiday | Garden open-air bath is closed from November through March; private facilities cost extra |
These are the conditions currently published by the facilities. Yukamuri’s new price takes effect on October 1, 2026, so use the date that matches your visit. Iwaiya and Akashiya both ask visitors to check ahead because maintenance and peak dates can affect day admission.
Yukamuri Onsen: go early, or keep it simple
Yukamuri is the village’s public bath, with no hotel-style add-on package. Admission changes on October 1, 2026; the regular hours include two short cleaning breaks each day.
| Date | Adults | Children |
|---|---|---|
| Through September 30, 2026 | ¥380 | ¥190 |
| From October 1, 2026 | ¥480 | ¥240 |
The bath is generally open 6 a.m.–10 p.m., except 10:00–10:15 a.m. and 3:45–4 p.m. for cleaning.
The spring itself is listed at 49.8°C, but that is the source temperature, not a promise about the tub. The Tottori City tourism listing describes the public bath as 100% flowing source water. It also notes that the facility closes on some irregular dates, including cleaning periods in June and November, so check the notice board before a special early-morning trip.
The published spring type is calcium–sodium sulfate, a classification also listed for Iwaiya and Akashiya. Their operating details differ: Yukamuri lists a source temperature of 49.8°C, Iwaiya gives no matching temperature, and Akashiya lists an approximate 48°C.
These temperatures describe the springs, not the bathing tubs. Each inn sets its own tattoo rules, so contact the property you plan to visit before travelling.
Iwaiya: a two-hour window, not an all-day pass
| Iwaiya day use | Published terms |
|---|---|
| Days and hours | Friday–Monday, noon–2 p.m.; last entry 1:30 p.m. |
| Admission | Adults ¥1,000; children ¥500 |
| Towels | Available separately |
| Availability | Cleaning, equipment checks, crowds or maintenance can alter or cancel bathing |
Call before travelling, especially if you are aiming for a particular bath.
This is the option for a short visit to a traditional inn’s bathing area, not a late-evening soak. The day-use window remains midday even though overnight guests have a much longer bathing schedule. For room types, the 2026 overnight bath rotation and the bus approach, see the Iwaiya stay guide.
Akashiya: afternoon bathing and optional private facilities
| Akashiya day use | Published terms |
|---|---|
| Days and hours | Weekdays and Sundays, except the day before a holiday; 3–8 p.m. |
| Admission | Adults ¥1,000; children ¥500 |
| Seasonal bath | Garden outdoor bath closes November–March |
| Private garden bath | ¥3,000 per family for 45 minutes |
| Private sauna | ¥4,000 for 60 minutes; ¥6,000 for 90 minutes |
Busy holiday periods, including summer break, New Year and Golden Week, may bring a suspension. Private facilities are separate from general admission; check before travelling.
Getting to Iwai Onsen by bus
Japan Transportation’s local route 32/33 serves Iwai Onsen, Iwami Station and Tottori Station. From JR Iwami Station, Iwaiya’s access page gives about 10 minutes by bus to the Iwai Onsen stop, then a one-minute walk to the inn. The bus from Tottori Station takes about an hour. Those are travel-time estimates, not a substitute for the day’s timetable: service is limited compared with a city route, and a missed return can leave a long wait.
Before choosing Iwaiya’s midday session or Akashiya’s afternoon window, check both directions on the operator’s current Tottori bus page. If you are arriving by train, allow room for the connection at Iwami Station rather than planning to step straight off one vehicle and into the bath.
