Miyazaki Takaharu Town
A two-pronged offering: miraculous natural spring cold plunge and an intensely tingly ultra-high-concentration carbonated cold mineral spring
Located in Takaharu Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, embraced by the nature of Oku-Kirishima, Gokuraku Onsen Takumi no Yado is a famed hot spring inn where saunagoers can enjoy dreamlike cold plunge experiences. After a thorough steam in the far-infrared sauna, you can enjoy two types of cold plunge baths: a brilliantly clear natural spring cold plunge fed at 300 L per minute, and a nationally rare, fizzy ultra-high-concentration carbonated cold mineral spring. The carbonated cold mineral spring delivers a pleasant, slightly tingly sensation on the skin for a new kind of cool-down. Combine open-air relaxation feeling the crisp air and cool breeze of Oku-Kirishima with the iron-rich, cloudy carbonated spring selected among the Top 100 Cloudy Hot Springs for a truly unique onsen stay.
A famed hot spring rich in iron and carbon dioxide that was selected for the Top 100 Cloudy Hot Springs. It is an iron-containing carbon dioxide–calcium–bicarbonate spring. This pure carbonated mineral spring contains no added water and warms you deeply to the core. Enjoy the high-quality onsen in the signature hollowed-out stone bath carved from an approximately 20-ton boulder and in the outdoor baths.
A slightly dim, calm sauna room that fits about 25 people. Two far-infrared stoves (double stoves) are installed, producing solid heat at 90°C–100°C that promotes heavy sweating. The spacious room lets you steam at your own pace while watching the TV mounted between the stoves.
A cold plunge fed by an astonishing 300 liters per minute of natural spring water. It offers overwhelming clarity all the way to the bottom and a pleasant coolness of 17°C–20°C. The superb water quality wraps the skin, thoroughly and refreshingly cooling the body after the sauna.
Another must-see cold plunge for saunagoers. This rare cold mineral spring contains an ultra-high concentration of carbon dioxide. When you immerse yourself, countless bubbles cling to the skin and you feel the characteristic tingly, slightly prickling sensation. Water temperature is 18°C–20°C, and alternating between this and the natural spring cold plunge is recommended.
Irregular Holidays
Miyazaki
Totonou in a panoramic grand public bath overlooking the Pacific Ocean and an auto löyly sauna
Miyazaki
A powerful sauna exceeding 110°C, enjoyed on the banks of the Oyodo River
Miyazaki
Open-air air-bathing overlooking Nichinan and an auto löyly sauna
JAPAN'S FINEST ONSEN & SAUNA
The Finest Onsen & Sauna in Japan
61 SELECTIONS
Most of what we surveyed never even made it onto this site. This book is a further cut from what did. Our editor bathed in every onsen and sauna in it, and wrote only what they confirmed on the ground.
