Hottarakashi Onsen or Pukupuku? Sunrise, Night Views and Getting There
Hottarakashi opens before sunrise; Pukupuku has easier bus access and later hours. Compare admission, tattoo rules and the limited bus schedule before you go.
Checked: September 27, 2026
| Hottarakashi Onsen | Fruit Onsen Pukupuku | |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Strongly alkaline spring, pH 10.1 | Alkaline simple spring; its posted analysis lists pH 9.5 and a source temperature of 31°C |
| Bathing setup | Two outdoor bath areas, Acchi no Yu and Kocchi no Yu; separated by gender | Indoor baths and several outdoor bath types, including a gem-themed bath; rest area and terrace |
| Hours | About one hour before sunrise to 10 p.m.; last entry 9:30 p.m. | Weekdays 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; weekends and holidays 10 a.m.–11 p.m.; last entry 10:30 p.m. |
| Adult admission | ¥900 | ¥980 weekdays; ¥1,150 weekends, holidays and special periods (from June 1, 2026) |
| Access | About 10 minutes by taxi from Yamanashi City Station; reference fare around ¥2,400 one way | One-minute walk from the Fruit Center bus stop; only three daily city-bus departures run from Yamanashi City Station toward Fruit Park |
| Towels and tattoos | Face towel ¥200; bath towel ¥1,000. Tattooed guests are allowed | Face and bath towel rental bundle ¥350. Tattoos and tattoo-like stickers are not admitted |
The figures describe different sampling contexts: Pukupuku’s pH and source temperature are from its 2019 analysis sheet. They describe the spring, not the temperature of every tub.
These two baths share a high hillside above the Kofu Basin, but they suit different plans. Hottarakashi opens roughly an hour before sunrise and keeps the focus on its outdoor setting. Yamanashi Fruit Onsen Pukupuku opens later, has a broader day-use setup, and is the more manageable option if you are relying on the infrequent bus to Fruit Park.
Choose by the time of day
Hottarakashi’s opening time moves with the season, so it is the only one of the pair that can anchor a pre-dawn soak. Acchi no Yu and Kocchi no Yu are separated by gender. Photography and phone use are prohibited inside the bathing areas.
Pukupuku works better later in the day, with indoor baths, several outdoor bath types, a rest area and a terrace. Fruit baths are scheduled events rather than a fixed daily feature.
Pukupuku does not admit guests with tattoos or tattoo-like stickers under its current house rules. The policy is not shared between the two neighboring venues, so check the relevant facility rather than inferring from the area.
Getting up the hill without a car
Pukupuku is near the Fruit Center bus stop, about a one-minute walk away. Yamanashi City’s current bus information lists only three daily departures from Yamanashi City Station toward Fruit Park—10:30 am, 1:40 pm and 4:45 pm—so plan around the timetable rather than assuming a frequent service. The city also clarifies that its free shuttle runs for events only.
Hottarakashi is farther uphill. From the Fruit Park area, allow roughly a 20-minute walk, or arrange a taxi; its official access information gives about ten minutes from Yamanashi City Station and a reference fare of around ¥2,400 one way. Walking uphill after dark or before dawn is a different proposition from the short path to Pukupuku, so a taxi may be the practical choice for Hottarakashi’s signature early opening.
Which one fits your visit?
For sunrise, choose Hottarakashi and solve transport before the morning of your visit. For a late soak, a place to rest between baths, or a simpler bus connection, Pukupuku is better set up. Pukupuku’s ticket also includes rental face and bath towels for ¥350 total value; at Hottarakashi, a face towel is sold for ¥200 and a bath towel for ¥1,000.
Cloud can hide Mount Fuji from either hillside. If neither opening schedule works, the Isawa Onsen day-bath guide covers baths closer to the rail corridor.
