Hi, anybody find any good onsen (Japanese hot springs bath) within driving distance?  I was out on highway 186 today which goes out past Yasaka Dam on the way to the ski resorts and we past a few onsens but didn't stop at any.

I know there are some by Kintai Bridge but they are like inside a hotel. I'm interested in a more natural, outdoor setting. Also, I'd like to find the private-bath type that you can share with your family, as opposed to the public bath shared by legions. I've seen these in Kure & Beppu, but are there any around here? 

Thanks!

I hope you find one, and I hope they have cool monkeys there! Anyone ever been to the one with monkeys? That sounds like fun.

And there's that one where the fish eat your feet. Hahaha.

Posted By ThaiGuy on 25 Feb 2010 09:39 PM
Hi, anybody find any good onsen (Japanese hot springs bath) within driving distance of Iwakuni?  I was out on highway 186 today which goes out past Yasaka Dam on the way to the ski resorts and we past a few onsens but didn't stop at any.

I know there are some by Kintai Bridge but they are like inside a hotel. I'm interested in a more natural, outdoor setting. Also, I'd like to find the private-bath type that you can share with your family, as opposed to the public bath shared by legions. I've seen these in Kure & Beppu, but are there any around here? 

Thanks!

The Kintai bridge hotel has an onsen, and it is outside, unlike the Iwakuni business hotel, which is inside only. If you go to the Kintai bridge hotel and get a book of 10, then it's only 1200 yen per time you visit the onsen, and there are pickled ume and three types of hot tea when you're done. The vending machine outside sells Asahi for 400 yen each, and there is a massage therapist that does an unbelievable foot or oriental massage for about 50 bucks. There is also an onsen at Otake and Oshima island, but they are more expensive, and the good one at Iwakuni is really very nice.