Himehiko Onsen: Day-Use Hot Spring Baths & Prices

In the Hatadera area of Matsuyama, Himehiko Onsen is a day-use hot spring using natural water that wells up from 1,000 meters underground. It is built around two elements - a large bathing hall lining up nine kinds of tubs, and private baths in a total of 20 rooms - so it works both for a quick solo soak and for a leisurely stay in a private room with family or friends. Its location right beside the city center, about 20 minutes by car from the Matsuyama IC, also makes it easy to drop into. This day-use bath is known for its silky touch that leaves the skin feeling smooth after soaking.

Highlights

The water is an alkaline simple spring (a low-tonicity, low-temperature alkaline spring), prized for its distinctive slippery, soothing feel. The main baths offer around nine different pools, and there are numerous private family baths with open-air tubs, so guests can spend the time however they like.

Nine Kinds of Tubs, and the Matera Stone Floor

The spring quality is an alkaline simple spring (a low-tonicity, low-temperature alkaline spring). It feels slippery on the skin, and the listed indications include neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, stiff joints, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive illness, hemorrhoids, sensitivity to cold, convalescence after illness, recovery from fatigue and general health promotion.

The large bathing hall has nine kinds of tubs in all (the women's side has one more). What distinguishes it is the way baths with different purposes are lined up: a micro-bubble open-air bath that generates bubbles of 30 microns or less using a swirling flow; a walking bath that uses water resistance and buoyancy as you walk (the women's version is 36.5 meters long in total, and you can vary your course); and an electric bath that contracts the muscles with a current from electrode plates.

It is easily overlooked, but attention has also been paid to safety underfoot. The entire floor of the large bathing hall uses Matera stone, which emits far-infrared radiation so it is not cold to walk on, and the material was chosen for being slip-resistant.

The Option of 20 Private Baths

The other face of Himehiko Onsen is its 20 private baths. From "Ten," "Tsuki / Hoshi" and "Kiri / Nagi," which gather an open-air bath, indoor bath, sauna and cold-water bath into a single room, to the compact "Koyamaki" and "Asaterasu," which have only an indoor bath, the equipment and the price differ clearly from room to room.

Reception is from 9 a.m. until midnight. As long as you check in by midnight there is no upper limit on the length of use itself; the system extends automatically, so you can leave whenever you like. However, keeping track of the extension time is left to the user, and there is no call from the front desk. Reservations can only be made on weekdays - they are not accepted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays - so on days that look busy, the sure approach is to phone and check availability before heading over.

Enjoying the Seasons

It can be enjoyed year-round, but in winter a long soak in the warmer pools that heats you from the core is especially fine. Booking a private bath lets families or groups relax without a care.

Access and Basic Information

About 15 minutes by car from central Matsuyama, in an easy-to-reach spot beside a residential neighborhood, with free parking. The large bath runs around 700 yen for adults, with a slightly cheaper morning rate, and private family baths cost on the order of a few thousand yen per hour. The large bath keeps long hours from morning into the next morning, and the private baths are available around the clock in some time slots. Prices and hours can change, so checking the official site before heading out is wise.

Practical Information

• Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring (low-tonicity, low-temperature alkaline spring). Natural hot spring water welling up from 1,000 meters underground
• Indications: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, stiff joints, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive illness, hemorrhoids, sensitivity to cold, convalescence after illness, recovery from fatigue, general health promotion, and more
• Large bath hours: 9:00 to 7:00 the following morning
• Closed: Open year-round (except for one facility inspection day per year)
• Same-day tickets for the large bath: Adults (junior high school age and over) 700 yen on weekdays, 750 yen on weekends and public holidays; seniors (65 and over) 650 yen on weekdays, 700 yen on weekends and public holidays; children (age 1 to elementary school) 250 yen; infants (age 0) free. The morning bath is 500 yen, applicable from 4:00 to 7:00 and 9:00 to 11:00
• Coupon books: Book of 10 - 7,000 yen general, 6,500 yen senior (with one service ticket); book of 50 - 35,000 yen general, 32,500 yen senior (with 14 service tickets)
• Private bath reception: Reception opens at 9:00 and closes at midnight. If you check in by midnight there is no limit on the time of use, with automatic extension
• Private bath fees (up to 4 people per room): "Ten" 7,000 yen / 90 minutes; "Tsuki / Hoshi" and "Kiri / Nagi" 6,500 yen each / 90 minutes (all with extension at 1,500 yen / 30 minutes, and with open-air bath, indoor bath, sauna and cold-water bath). "Asaterasu (with sauna)" 3,500 yen / 60 minutes; "Koyamaki" and "Asaterasu" 3,000 yen / 60 minutes; "Koyamaki (small)" 3,000 yen / 90 minutes (extension 1,000 yen / 30 minutes). Beyond 4 people, an extra 500 yen per adult and 100 yen per small child applies
• Private bath reservations: Reservations are possible on weekdays only. They are not accepted on weekends, public holidays or during busy periods; check availability by phone (089-960-1441)
• Open-air baths: The large bathing hall has one. Among the private baths, "Ten," "Tsuki / Hoshi" and "Kiri / Nagi" come with an open-air bath
• Tattoos: People with tattoos (including body art) may not enter
• Provided items and goods for sale: Shampoo and body soap are provided in the large bathing hall. Bring your own towels or buy them on site (face towel 200 yen, bath towel 800 yen, nylon towel 300 yen, comb 100 yen, toothbrush 50 yen, razor 50 yen and so on). The private baths come with bath towel, face towel and bath mat, shampoo, conditioner and body soap, hairdryer, tea set, hairbrush, toothbrush and cotton swabs
• Notes for families with children: Elementary school children and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. Mixed bathing, such as a boy entering the women's bath, is not allowed from elementary school age, and bathing without an adult is generally from age 12 (junior high school age). Private baths may not be used by those under 18 on their own (high school students cannot use them)
• Underfoot: The floor of the large bathing hall is entirely Matera stone, finished to be slip-resistant and not cold to walk on
• Payment: For the large bathing hall you buy a bathing ticket from the vending machine and enter
• Parking: 150 spaces, free
• Access: About 3 minutes on foot from the Iyotetsu Bus stop "Hantaji-guchi." About 5 minutes by taxi from Kume Station on the Iyotetsu Yokogawara Line. By car, about 20 minutes from the Matsuyama IC and about 30 minutes from the Kawauchi IC
• Address: 3-4-5 Hatadera, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture 790-0913 (phone 089-960-1441)
• Rough time needed: About an hour for the large bathing hall alone, or around two hours if you use a private bath
• Other: All rooms non-smoking; food and drink may not be brought in; pets are not permitted

Practical Travel Notes

The roughly twenty private family baths are very popular and fill up on weekends and in the evening, so an early time slot or advance confirmation is recommended. To savor the silky water quietly, weekday daytime when the large bath is less busy is the sweet spot. Just a short drive from central Matsuyama and the Dogo area, it works well as a closing soak after a day of sightseeing in the city.

A Quick Tip

The private baths are popular, so an early visit is recommended. Take your time savoring this smooth, skin-friendly water. If you would like a room with an open-air bath, ask about that day availability at the front desk.

📚 Sources

The spring quality, indications, large bath hours, closing days, bathing fees, coupon books, retail prices of bathing goods, the rules on tattoos, the rules for children's bathing and the Matera stone floor are drawn from the "Large Bath and Open-Air Bath" page of the official Himehiko Onsen website; the private bath reception hours, reservation availability, the fees and equipment of each room and the amenities come from the "Private Baths" page and the detail pages for each room on the same site; and the number of parking spaces, the bus stop name, access by car and the address are based on the "Access" page of the same site. Details are subject to change, so please check official sources before setting out.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring (hypotonic, alkaline, low-temperature spring). Natural hot spring water welling up from 1,000 metres underground
• Indications: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, joint stiffness, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive complaints, haemorrhoids, sensitivity to cold, convalescence, recovery from fatigue and general health promotion
• Large bath opening hours: 9:00 to 7:00 the following morning
• Closed: Open year-round (except for one facility inspection day per year)
• Same-day tickets for the large bath: Adults (junior high school age and above) 700 yen on weekdays and 750 yen on weekends and public holidays; seniors (65 and over) 650 yen on weekdays and 700 yen on weekends and public holidays; children (age 1 through elementary school) 250 yen; infants (age 0) free of charge. The morning bath is 500 yen, valid from 4:00 to 7:00 and from 9:00 to 11:00
• Coupon books: Book of 10 tickets, 7,000 yen general / 6,500 yen seniors (includes 1 complimentary ticket); book of 50 tickets, 35,000 yen general / 32,500 yen seniors (includes 14 complimentary tickets)
• Private bath reception: Reception opens at 9:00 and closes at midnight. If you check in by midnight there is no limit on how long you may stay, as time is extended automatically
• Private bath rates (up to 4 people per room): "Ten" 7,000 yen / 90 minutes; "Tsuki-Hoshi" and "Kiri-Nagi" 6,500 yen each / 90 minutes (all with extensions at 1,500 yen / 30 minutes, and each with an open-air bath, indoor bath, sauna and cold-water bath). "Asateru (with sauna)" 3,500 yen / 60 minutes; "Koyamaki" and "Asateru" 3,000 yen / 60 minutes; "Koyamaki (small)" 3,000 yen / 90 minutes (extensions 1,000 yen / 30 minutes). For parties of more than 4, add 500 yen per adult and 100 yen per young child
• Private bath reservations: Reservations are accepted on weekdays only. They are not available on weekends, public holidays or in busy periods; check availability by phone (089-960-1441)
• Open-air baths: The large bath has an open-air section. Among the private baths, "Ten", "Tsuki-Hoshi" and "Kiri-Nagi" come with open-air baths
• Tattoos: Guests with tattoos (including body art) are not admitted
• Provided items and items for sale: The large bath provides shampoo and body soap. Bring your own towels or buy them inside (face towel 200 yen, bath towel 800 yen, nylon washcloth 300 yen, comb 100 yen, toothbrush 50 yen, razor 50 yen and so on). The private baths come with bath towels, face towels and bath mats, shampoo, conditioner and body soap, a hairdryer, a tea set, a hairbrush, a toothbrush and cotton buds
• Notes for families: Children of elementary school age and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. Mixed bathing, such as a boy entering the women's bath, is not allowed from elementary school age, and children may generally bathe on their own from around age 12 (junior high school age). Private baths may not be used by parties consisting solely of those under 18 (high school students are not eligible)
• Underfoot: The floor of the large bath is entirely Matera stone, giving a finish that is slip-resistant and not cold to walk on
• Payment: For the large bath, buy a bathing ticket from the vending machine before entering
• Parking: 150 spaces, free of charge
• Access: Get off the Iyotetsu bus at Hantaji-guchi and walk about 3 minutes. About 5 minutes by taxi from Kume Station on the Iyotetsu Yokogawara Line. By car, about 20 minutes from the Matsuyama IC and about 30 minutes from the Kawauchi IC
• Location: 3-4-5 Hatadera, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture 790-0913 (tel. 089-960-1441)
• How long to allow: About 1 hour for the large bath alone, or around 2 hours if you use a private bath
• Other: All rooms non-smoking; no outside food or drink; no pets

Information Sources

The spring quality, indications, large bath opening hours, closing days, bathing fees, coupon books, prices of bathing goods for sale, the rules on tattoos, the bathing rules for children and the Matera stone floor are drawn from the "Large Bath and Open-Air Bath" page of the official Himehiko Onsen website; the private bath reception hours, reservation policy, room-by-room rates and facilities, and amenities come from the "Private Baths" page and the detail pages for each room on the same site; and the number of parking spaces, the bus stop name, driving access and the address come from the "Access" page of the same site. Details are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.