Yunotsu Half-Day Bath Route: Motoyu First or Yakushiyu?
Plan Motoyu first when its limited 6–8 a.m. public window aligns with Yakushiyu. Rest between the hot baths and check Yakushiyu’s Tuesday closure.
For most visitors who genuinely want to try both Yunotsu public baths, go to Motoyu in the morning, leave time to rest and drink water, then visit Yakushiyu after it opens at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the simplest days for that plan. Monday and Thursday require an early start: ordinary visitors must finish at Motoyu before 8 a.m. Tuesday is no longer a two-bath day because Yakushiyu is closed every Tuesday from September 8, 2026.
| Public bath | Adult admission |
|---|---|
| Motoyu | ¥500 |
| Yakushiyu | ¥600 |
| Both | ¥1,100 (about HK$55 / NT$224) |
This covers ordinary public admission only, not private bathing, towels or any extra time beyond the standard terms.
Choose the day before choosing the order
| Day or arrival | Practical plan | Can you use both? |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday | Motoyu first, rest, then Yakushiyu from 9 a.m. | Yes, with a break between baths |
| Monday or Thursday | Motoyu between 6 and 8 a.m.; Yakushiyu after 9 a.m. | Yes, but only with an early start |
| Tuesday | Motoyu, or check another local bath such as Saichi no Yu | No; Yakushiyu is closed |
| Arrive after 9 a.m. on Monday or Thursday | Yakushiyu alone | Motoyu’s ordinary-visitor window has passed |
| You are heat-sensitive or already tired | Choose one bath | There is no need to complete both |
| Motoyu schedule | Published hours |
|---|---|
| March–November | 6 a.m.–8 p.m. |
| December–February | 6 a.m.–7 p.m. |
| Monday and Thursday, ordinary visitors | 6–8 a.m.; last reception 7:30 a.m. |
| Cleaning | 8–9 a.m. |
Later access on Monday and Thursday is limited to members with reservations. A last-minute cancellation space is not a dependable walk-in plan.
Yakushiyu normally opens at 9 a.m. It announced a Tuesday weekly closure effective September 8, 2026. Some older tourism pages may still say it is open every day; follow the newer facility notice and check again before you go.
A manageable order—and when to stop
Motoyu has three pools listed at different temperatures: about 38–40°C for first-time bathers, 43–44°C and 46–48°C. Its spring is described as naturally emerging close to the baths, with no dilution, heating, cooling or circulation. That makes it the more demanding first stop for someone who wants to experience a high-temperature public bath. Start with the lower-temperature pool rather than treating the hottest one as the main event.
Yakushiyu’s guidance gives roughly 45–46°C near the inlet and about 42°C by the handrail. The whole pool is not one uniform temperature. If you feel dizzy, unusually tired, short of breath or unwell after the first bath, skip the second. For children, older travellers and anyone unused to hot water, enjoying one bath is a better plan than collecting two names.
Motoyu describes its water as undiluted, unheated and uncirculated. Yakushiyu gives visitors more guidance on finding a cooler part of the pool. Those practical differences matter more on this route than comparing the spring labels.
Walking between the baths and connecting to the station
The two baths are close enough to connect on foot; there is no reason to arrange another ride between them. JR Yunotsu Station is connected to the area by local bus, with Motoyu about a five-minute bus ride from the station. Check the actual bus and train timetable before leaving, particularly if you are relying on the first morning service. On Monday and Thursday, a missed early connection can make the two-bath plan impossible.
Build in a break after Motoyu rather than walking straight into the second bath. Have water and breakfast, and leave enough time to reach Yakushiyu for its opening. If the bus or train times do not allow that buffer, visit one bath and keep the rest of the half-day for Yunotsu’s streets.
Towels, tattoos and private baths
The ¥1,100 total is the basic admission for two public baths, not an all-inclusive bathing kit. Check towel availability and bring what you need. Neither bath’s tattoo policy should be assumed from the other; ask each property directly if this affects your visit.
Yakushiyu has a separately priced private bath. That is a different product from its ¥600 public admission and should be checked with the facility in advance. For a one-bath choice instead of a route, use the Motoyu versus Yakushiyu comparison. The Yunotsu day-onsen guide includes the third local option, Saichi no Yu.
Sources
Facility and tourism sources
- [Yunotsu Motoyu](https://www.iwami.or.jp/syunotsu/index.html) - Yakushiyu: [official site](https://www.yunotsu.com/), [hours change](https://www.yunotsu.com/post-4275/), [spring analysis](https://www.yunotsu.com/appeal/analysis.html), [bathing guidance](https://www.yunotsu.com/kounou/index.html), [Tuesday closure notice](https://www.yunotsu.com/post-4380/) - Oda tourism: [Yakushiyu hours](https://www.ginzan-wm.jp/eigyoujikanhenkou-yakushiyu/) - Shimane Tourism Navigator: [Saichi no Yu](https://www.kankou-shimane.com/destination/74930)Checked: September 28, 2026
