Takanoko no Yu: Day-Use Hot Spring Baths & Prices

In the Takanoko area of Matsuyama, Takanoko no Yu is a natural hot spring attached to a hotel. Carrying on the Takanoko spring said to have been discovered by Kobo Daishi, it is loved as a bath with two of its own sources.

Highlights

The water is an alkaline simple spring, and the appeal lies in enjoying two sources: a long-standing original source and a hot new source (around 47 degrees) rising from 1200 meters underground. From large indoor baths to open-air pools and reclining baths, the variety is wide, and the open-air pool offers free-flowing source water. It opens from early morning until late at night.

Enjoying the Seasons

Because it opens so early, a morning bath to start a journey is a fine choice. Soaking in the open-air pool in the fresh air feels especially pleasant in the cooler seasons.

Access and Basic Information

About a 9-minute walk from Takanoko Station on the Iyotetsu Yokogawara line, and about 8 minutes from Kume Station, or roughly 15 minutes by car from central Matsuyama. Day-use bathing is around 800 yen for adults (about 850 yen on weekends and holidays) and about 300 yen for children, with a senior discount. It keeps long hours from 5 a.m. until around 1 a.m. and is open year-round, welcoming both overnight stays and day visits. Prices and hours can change, so checking the official site before your visit is wise.

Practical Travel Notes

Being open from early morning until late at night, it flexibly fits your itinerary, whether the night you arrive or the morning before you leave. To savor the differing feel of the two sources, the morning hours away from the busy evening are more relaxed. Within walking distance of an Iyotetsu station, it is easy to reach even without a car. Staying overnight lets you enjoy the baths morning and evening in a row.

A Quick Tip

Trying both of the two sources side by side is the real treat. Staying more than one night to enjoy the baths morning and evening is also recommended. The free-flowing open-air bath is especially popular, so early morning is best for a quiet soak.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring (two sources: a hypotonic, alkaline, high-temperature spring and a hypotonic, alkaline, low-temperature spring). Autonomic nervous instability, insomnia and depressive states are among the listed indications
• Source temperature: New source 47C (drawn from 1,200 metres underground), old source 31.7C
• Water treatment: The open-air bath is free-flowing water from the new source, with no added water and no heating
• Open-air bath: Yes
• Opening hours: 5:00 to 25:00 (last admission 24:00). Open year-round
• Day-use bathing fees: General admission 800 yen on weekdays and 850 yen on weekends and public holidays. Seniors aged 65 and over pay 700 yen on weekdays and 750 yen on weekends and public holidays. Children from age 1 through elementary school pay 300 yen
• Morning bath: 600 yen from 5:00 to 10:00
• Coupon books: A general book of 10 tickets plus a complimentary ticket for 8,000 yen, or 7,000 yen for seniors
• Tattoos: Guests with tattoos (including body art) are not admitted
• Amenities: Body soap and shampoo are provided. Razors, combs, lotion and the like are on sale
• Towels: Face towels 300 yen and bath towels 800 yen
• Parking: About 330 spaces, free of charge. For two or more large buses, lorries or similar vehicles, an additional fee of 2,000 yen per night applies
• Access (bus): A 1-minute walk from the Takanoko-Onsen-mae stop
• Access (rail): An 8-minute walk from Kume Station or a 9-minute walk from Takanoko Station on the Iyotetsu Yokogawara Line
• Access (car): About 6.3 km and 17 minutes from the Matsuyama IC, about 9.7 km and 20 minutes from the Kawauchi IC, and about 11.2 km and 32 minutes from Matsuyama Airport
• Location: 737-2 Takanoko-cho, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture 790-0925
• How long to allow: About 1 hour for bathing alone, or about 2 hours including a break at the dining area
• To avoid the crowds: Evening through to night is the busiest time. The morning bath period or a weekday morning is the most relaxed

Information Sources

The opening hours, day-use bathing fees (general, senior, children, morning bath and coupon books), spring quality, the two sources and their temperatures, the policy on tattoos, towel prices, amenities and the address are based on the hot spring page of the official Takanoko no Hotel website. The number of parking spaces and the parking fee, the walking times from the nearest station and bus stop, and the distances from each interchange and from Matsuyama Airport were taken from the access page of the same site. The classification of the spring quality (hypotonic alkaline high-temperature spring / low-temperature spring) and the indications are based on the entry in the facility database of the Japan Spa Association. The free-flowing open-air bath with no added water and no heating follows the description of the water published by the facility. Fees and opening hours are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.