Yakushi-no-yu or Chouseikan? Choosing a Day Bath in Murasugi Onsen
Yakushi-no-yu is a ¥400 communal bath with long hours. Chouseikan costs more, with garden bathing, two admission windows and bookable private outdoor baths.
Both baths draw on Murasugi’s radium-spring area, but they make for very different stops. Yakushi-no-yu is a local bathhouse you can fit into a short visit. Chouseikan is a ryokan outing, where the outdoor garden and time on the grounds are part of what you are paying for.
Side by side
| Yakushi-no-yu | Chouseikan | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult admission | ¥400 | ¥1,000 |
| Children | ¥200; age wording differs between current pages, so confirm at the desk | ¥600 for elementary-school age and under |
| Hours | Weekdays 7 am–8:20 pm; weekends and holidays 7:30 am–8:20 pm | 11 am–2 pm admission, bathing until 3 pm; 6–8 pm admission, bathing until 9 pm |
| Main draw | A straightforward neighbourhood bath | A large garden bathing area at a ryokan |
| Private bath | Not listed | Day-use private outdoor bath by advance reservation, subject to available slots |
| Tattoos | Not permitted under the current posted rule | Ask the inn directly; do not assume a private bath changes its policy |
The ¥600 difference buys a change of setting, not simply a “better” version of the same bath. Chouseikan’s admission includes its expansive landscaped outdoor bathing area. Yakushi-no-yu is a more practical choice when you want the spring and do not need a long stay or resort-style facilities.
When the communal bath makes more sense
Yakushi-no-yu works well around an early start or a short visit. The operator’s current site says guests with tattoos should not use the bath.
| Yakushi-no-yu | Current details |
|---|---|
| Weekday hours | 7 a.m.–8:20 p.m. |
| Weekend and holiday hours | 7:30 a.m.–8:20 p.m. |
| Admission | ¥400 adults; ¥200 children |
| Tattoo rule | Not permitted under the posted rule |
Yakushi-no-yu is a communal bath without private rooms, a restaurant or a large garden. The spring association records the No. 3 well at 25.2°C; that is the source reading, not the bath temperature. The bathhouse has not published current treatment details for its pools, so heating and flow-through status are unconfirmed.
What changes at Chouseikan
Chouseikan’s day bath has two admission windows, and its calendar can vary.
| Chouseikan day use | Current details |
|---|---|
| Admission windows | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (bathe until 3 p.m.); 6–8 p.m. (bathe until 9 p.m.) |
| Towels | ¥300 face towel; ¥300 bath-towel rental |
| Private outdoor bath | ¥2,000 for 40 minutes, plus admission per person; advance booking required |
| Private-bath start times | Noon, 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.; limited day-use slots |
Chouseikan’s calendar can vary; confirm a slot before travelling if the private bath is the reason for your visit.
The outdoor area includes a warmed bath at about 40°C and a cooler pool using the source at roughly 25°C. That source temperature is not a bathing temperature to expect throughout the facility. Ease into the cooler pool if you are not used to cold bathing.
For a quick soak, start with Yakushi-no-yu’s practical guide. For the ryokan’s admission, bath layout and access details, see the Chouseikan day-bath guide. If the private-bath option is what you want, confirm availability before travelling.
Both places are in Murasugi Onsen, reached from Suibara by the Agano City Gozu Onsenkyo bus. Check the timetable for your date; Chouseikan’s shuttle from Niigata Station is reservation-based and should not be treated as included with ordinary bath admission.
Sources
- [Yakushi-no-yu: current prices, hours and house rules](https://www.yakushinoyu.com/) - [Gozu Onsenkyo: Murasugi No. 3 well data](https://gozu.jp/about/) - [Chouseikan: day-use bathing](https://www.chouseikan.co.jp/day-trip/) - [Chouseikan: private outdoor baths](https://www.chouseikan.co.jp/information/tachiyori/) - [Chouseikan: spring and bath temperatures](https://www.chouseikan.co.jp/information/blog/postid_31569/) - [Agano City: Gozu Onsenkyo bus routes and timetable](https://www.city.agano.niigata.jp/soshiki/somuka/1/2/2708.html) - Photo: [Yakushi-no-yu](https://www.yakushinoyu.com/); [Niigata Tourism Association](https://niigata-kankou.or.jp/)Checked: September 27, 2026
Tags: Murasugi Onsen, Yakushi-no-yu, Chouseikan, Agano day-use onsen, Niigata hot springs
