Arifuku Onsen Day Trip: Choosing Between Three Public Baths
Arifuku’s three public baths each charge ¥400 for single entry. A ¥600 pass covers all three when Gozennoyu is open; hours and facilities differ.
Checked: September 27, 2026
Arifuku is a compact hot-spring village in Gotsu, Shimane. Its three public baths—Gozennoyu, Satsukiyu and Yayoiyu—are close enough to visit on foot. Each costs ¥400 for a single adult entry. The choice is less about price than how warm you like the water and whether you need a proper place to wash.
| Bath | Usual hours and closing day | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Gozennoyu | 7 am–10 pm; last entry 9:30 pm; Tuesday closed | Longest day, hotter water, second-floor rest area and a bookable private bath |
| Satsukiyu | 10 am–9 pm; last entry 8:30 pm; Thursday closed | Mid-range bath temperature and washing amenities |
| Yayoiyu | 10 am–9 pm; last entry 8:30 pm; Friday closed | The coolest of the three, but no shower facilities |
Gotsu’s tourism association lists spring temperatures of about 47°C at Gozennoyu, 46.2°C at Satsukiyu and 42.5°C at Yayoiyu. Those are source figures, not guaranteed temperatures in every tub. The published bathing ranges are warmer at Gozennoyu and milder at Yayoiyu. If you are sensitive to heat, choose by the bathing pool rather than by the source temperature alone.
Gozennoyu is the easiest first stop if you want a longer opening window and a more complete visit. Its private family bath is a separate 60-minute booking at ¥1,200; it is not included in the pass. Satsukiyu is a reasonable middle ground if you want washing facilities without the hottest bath. Yayoiyu suits someone who has already washed and simply wants a shorter soak; its shallower pool and lack of showers make it a poor choice for a full wash-and-bathe routine.
When the all-bath pass saves money
The limited-period one-day bathing pass costs ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for elementary-school children. It is valid for repeated use at all three baths until the first full hour after 24 hours have passed from issue. Buy it from the ticket machine at Gozennoyu, then exchange the slip with the bath attendant to get the timed pass. Gozennoyu is closed Tuesdays, and the pass is not sold that day. The family bath is excluded.
One bath costs ¥400, so a pass is unnecessary for a single visit. Two separate admissions would be ¥800; if you plan to visit at least two baths, the pass is cheaper. It can also be useful overnight, since the 24-hour validity is not simply a same-day midnight cutoff.
The bus timetable matters more than closing time
Gotsu City’s current bus information includes the Gotsu–Arifuku route, but it runs on a limited schedule. The baths stay open later than the last useful bus for a day visitor, so check the return first. Staying overnight or arranging another ride is the safer plan if you want an evening soak.
For a quick visit, pick one bath based on the temperature and facilities you need. If you want the full public-bath circuit, choose a day when all three are open and buy the pass at Gozennoyu before it closes. Bring your own towel and toiletries unless you have checked the individual bath’s current provision.
Sources
- [Arifuku Onsen: official public-bath overview](https://www.arifuku-onsen.com/bathhouse/) - [Arifuku Onsen: Gozennoyu](https://www.arifuku-onsen.com/bathhouse/detail?id=266) - [Arifuku Onsen: Satsukiyu](https://www.arifuku-onsen.com/bathhouse/detail?id=267) - [Arifuku Onsen: Yayoiyu](https://www.arifuku-onsen.com/bathhouse/detail?id=265) - [Arifuku Onsen: one-day pass terms](https://www.arifuku-onsen.com/news/detail?id=867) - [Gotsu Tourism Association: public baths and spring temperatures](https://gotsu-kanko.jp/52/kankou/1843) - [Gotsu City: local bus routes and timetables, as of April 1, 2026](https://www.city.gotsu.lg.jp/soshiki/3/4749.html)Tags: Arifuku Onsen, Shimane day trip, Gotsu, Japanese public bath, onsen pass
