1. Home
  2. ›Sauna Experience Stories
  3. ›Sep 19–21, 2025 Kyoto & Gifu Hot Spring Sauna Trip

Sep 19–21, 2025　／　2 nights, 3 days

Kyoto & Gifu Hot Spring Sauna Trip

Photographed September 2025 by the Editor-in-Chief
✦ Visited September 2025

I wanted to embark on a journey in search of the ultimate cold plunge bath experience — not just any cold plunge bath, but one-of-a-kind experiences unique to each facility. The trip began at SPA&HOTEL Suishun Matsuiyamate in Kyoto, where I started with a 13°C carbonated cold plunge bath, followed by a flowing natural groundwater cold plunge bath at Hakusanyu Rokujo. From there, I headed to Gifu Prefecture to enjoy a superb herbal sauna and a flowing groundwater cold plunge bath at Megumi no Yu. On the final day, I paid a second visit to Ogaki Sauna, where I lost consciousness in what may be the finest cold plunge bath in all of Japan.

Duration
3 days
Baths visited
4 spots
Visited
September 2025

Every stop on this itinerary was visited in person by the Editor-in-Chief.

Itinerary

Read it in the order we travelled.

01Sep 19　21:00

SPA&HOTEL Suisyun Matsuiyamate

Kyoto

My First Experience with a 13°C Carbonated Cold Plunge Bath

Read this day →See the bath →
02Sep 20　10:00

Hakusanyu Rokujo Branch

Kyoto

Kyoto's Ultimate Cold Plunge Bath (Free-Flowing Groundwater)

Read this day →See the bath →
03Sep 20　18:00

Megumi no Yu

Gifu

Japan's Finest Herb Sauna and Free-Flowing Groundwater Cold Plunge Bath

Read this day →See the bath →
04Sep 21　11:00

Ogaki Sauna

Gifu

Japan's Finest Cold Plunge Bath Fed by Flowing Groundwater

Read this day →See the bath →

Baths visited on this journey

  • SPA&HOTEL Suisyun MatsuiyamateKyoto→
  • Hakusanyu Rokujo BranchKyoto→
  • Megumi no YuGifu→
  • Ogaki SaunaGifu→
←See all journeys

Japan's Finest Onsen & Sauna

65Selected

Every place visited in person, chosen after soaking in it myself.

See inside, free