Kur Goten in Murayama: Onsen, Spa Pool and Access Guide

Checked: September 27, 2026

Kur Goten sits beside the Mogami River in Murayama. It is easy to mistake the place for one large bathing complex with a single entry ticket, but its main options are separate: a public bath for bathing without a swimsuit, a swimsuit-only spa pool, and a bookable family bath designed for visitors who need accessible facilities.

The public bath is the simplest choice. Adult admission is ¥450, elementary school pupils pay ¥250, and younger children enter free. The bath includes indoor pools at about 38°C and 42°C, a sauna and outdoor baths overlooking the river. The outdoor baths are arranged in three temperature levels inspired by the Mogami River’s three rapids, and the two bath areas alternate by day.

The river-facing bath is the main draw

The open-air pools are the feature that sets Kur Goten apart from a quick stop in town. The operator describes three outdoor baths at different temperatures, with views across the Mogami River. The baths are not identical, and their men’s and women’s assignments change by day, so check which side is open to you if a particular layout matters.

Indoors, the operator lists one pool at roughly 38°C and another at about 42°C, plus a sauna. The cooler option is useful if you prefer not to start in a hot bath. The published spring type is sodium-calcium chloride. Kur Goten describes its open-air baths as source-fed, but it does not provide current handling details for every indoor pool or for the spa pool; those should not all be described as identical.

The pool is a separate visit

The spa pool requires a swimsuit and has its own hours, closing day and admission fee. It was closed for equipment checks and renovation, then reopened at noon on July 3, 2026. Its seasonal schedule is longer from April through November and shorter from December through March. It closes on Tuesdays, with the closure moving to the following weekday when Tuesday is a public holiday.

The pool is not included just because its listed adult price is also ¥450. The operator’s FAQ says a pass or coupon can be used for one of the listed facilities—public bath, family bath or spa pool—rather than treating them as a single area. Confirm at reception if you are hoping to use both on the same visit; the current pages do not clearly advertise a combined day ticket.

For families, the pool is a separate product with a 25-metre main course about 1.2 metres deep, a shallow children’s pool, a reclining bath, indoor and outdoor pools, and a sauna. A swim cap is required. It reopened at noon on July 3, 2026 after renovations, so older search results still calling it closed are out of date. Its Tuesday closure applies even when the main public bath is open; if Tuesday is a public holiday, the pool’s closure moves to the next weekday.

The bedrock bath is a different story: the current onsen page marks it as suspended. Older pages still show a price, but that is not evidence it has reopened.

An accessible family bath, with a specific purpose

Kur Goten’s family bath has a wide changing area and an accessible toilet. The operator describes it as a bath for people with disabilities or limited mobility. It is reservation-only, generally booked in 90-minute slots, and the day-use charge is the usual admission plus a ¥400 cleaning and hygiene fee per booking. The final 8:00 pm start is limited to 60 minutes.

Although it is called a family bath, the published information does not establish that it is a general-purpose private bath for any couple or group. Ask the facility about eligibility and booking before building your plans around it. Its FAQ says the regular admission applies alongside the cleaning fee.

Getting there without a car

Kur Goten is about 10 minutes by taxi from JR Murayama Station. The city bus stops at Kur Goten-mae, but its weekday schedule is limited. Driving is straightforward, and day visitors cannot use the inn’s overnight shuttle.

Check the bus timetable for your travel date before setting out.

Driving is straightforward. The facility is about 3 km, or five minutes, from Murayama IC. It has free parking for around 150 cars and 10 buses. A free shuttle from Murayama Station is offered only to groups of at least 10 staying overnight, with advance booking; day visitors should not count on it.

One cost detail needs a phone call if you need an exact total. The current onsen page lists adult admission at ¥450, then also says ¥150 bathing tax is charged separately. The FAQ, however, says bathing tax is already included in day-use bath and spa-pool fees. Both statements are on the operator’s current website, so the total is not unambiguous. Ask Kur Goten before travelling rather than assuming either ¥450 or ¥600 is the final amount.

The tattoo policy for the public bath is not clearly stated on the pages checked. Contact the facility if it affects your choice.

For another straightforward public bath in Yamagata, Semi-no-Yu in Semi Onsen has a different, more traditional local-bath feel.

Sources

- [Kur Goten: onsen, fees and facility information](https://www.kur-goten.jp/hot_spring) - [Kur Goten: FAQ, including tax and ticket use](https://www.kur-goten.jp/faq) - [Kur Goten: spa pool hours and reopening notice](https://www.kur-goten.jp/news/220866) - [Kur Goten: access and parking](https://www.kur-goten.jp/access) - [Murayama City: municipal bus routes, fares and operating days](https://www.city.murayama.lg.jp/kurashi/koukyoukoutsuu/shimin20161205.html) - [Murayama City: facility update confirming the spa pool’s July 2026 reopening](https://www.city.murayama.lg.jp/kanko/kanko_koryu/shukuhaku.html)

Tags: Kur Goten, Murayama, Mogami River, Yamagata onsen, spa pool, day-use onsen