Izura Onsen: Day-Use Hot Spring Baths & Prices (Ibaraki)

Izura Onsen wells up along the scenic Izura coast in Kitaibaraki City. The landscape formed by the bedrock jutting out into the Pacific and the old pines is known as the place chosen as his base by Tenshin Okakura, a leading figure of modern Japanese art. The Izura Kanko Hotel standing on the shore (Main Building and Annex Taikanso) has free-flowing spring water, and you can visit not only for an overnight stay but also on a day trip. Culture and natural beauty meet in this special spot.

Highlights

The hexagonal hall (Rokkakudo) where Tenshin sat in thought is a building erected to Tenshin's own design on the bedrock jutting out into the Pacific. It was swept away by the tsunami of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and was rebuilt in April 2012. The Tenshin Historic Site including the Rokkakudo (the former Tenshin residence, the Rokkakudo and the nagayamon gate) is managed by the Izura Institute of Art and Culture of Ibaraki University and is open to the public. It is also lit up from sunset until 21:00.

Nearby stand the Ibaraki Prefectural Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art, Izura (opened November 8, 1997), which honors the achievements of the Izura artists such as Tenshin Okakura and Taikan Yokoyama, and Tenshin Historic Site Memorial Park, developed on the former grounds of the Japan Art Institute's Izura studio (developed from 1976 and opened from 1980) - both within walking distance of the hotel. From the walking path on the Izura headland, sometimes called the Matsushima of the Kanto, a sweeping view of rock walls plunging into the Pacific opens before you.

The Shore to Which the Japan Art Institute Moved

Tenshin Okakura first visited Izura around May 1903 (Meiji 36), guided by the painter Shuzan Hida. Tenshin took a great liking to this coast, and two years later he built the Rokkakudo here. Out of a life in which he worked at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in winter and spent the summers in thought before the sea at Izura came his book "The Book of Tea."

In November 1906 (Meiji 39) he moved the Japan Art Institute to Izura, and Taikan Yokoyama, Kanzan Shimomura, Shunso Hishida and Buzan Kimura moved there with their families and devoted themselves to their work. These few years are the reason Izura is called "the birthplace of modern art." After Tenshin's death, the Tenshin Historic Site, which had become the residence of his family, passed into the management of the Tenshin Iseki Kenshokai in 1942 (Showa 17), and in 1955 (Showa 30), upon an offer of donation from Taikan Yokoyama, then chairman of that society, the Izura Institute of Art and Culture of Ibaraki University was established.

Knowing How the Water Is Used

The bathing area of the Annex Taikanso, "Taikan no Yu," uses a sodium-calcium chloride spring with a source temperature of 71 degrees, free-flowing from the source. It has the light touch typical of a chloride spring, and neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive illness, sensitivity to cold, chronic skin conditions, convalescence after illness and recovery from fatigue are listed among its benefits.

The current Taikan no Yu was renewed in autumn 2012; the indoor bath is built with large open windows looking out on the Pacific, and the open-air bath's appeal is its sense of oneness with the sea. On the Main Building side there is a sukiya-style garden bath, "Izura no Yu," which was renewed in May 2012.

Enjoying the Seasons

In summer the blue of the sea glows vividly, and in autumn the surrounding hills take on color. In winter, watching the powerful waves crash from a warm bath is the great pleasure of the season. From autumn into winter, when the seafood of Kitaibaraki is at its best, dining, including anglerfish dishes, becomes a pleasure of its own.

Access and Basic Information

The nearest station is Otsuko on the JR Joban Line, about a twenty minute bus ride from the Izura coast. By car, it is close to the Kitaibaraki interchange on the Joban Expressway, making it easy to combine with sightseeing along the coast. The hexagonal hall is now managed and opened to visitors by Ibaraki University, with a small viewing fee of a few hundred yen. Hours, closing days, and fees can change, so it is wise to check in advance. Some inns accept day visitors.

Practical Information

• Spring quality and source temperature: Sodium-calcium chloride spring, source temperature 71 degrees
• How the water is used: Taikan no Yu is free-flowing from the source
• Benefits: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, stiff joints, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive illness, sensitivity to cold, cuts, burns, chronic skin conditions, chronic women's ailments, convalescence after illness, recovery from fatigue, general health promotion
• Day-trip bathing reception hours: 11:00-15:00 (last admission 14:30). The evening session of 18:00-21:00 is currently suspended
• Day-trip bathing fee: Adults 1,100 yen, children (elementary school) 600 yen (tax included)
• Closed days: Closing days for day-trip bathing are set month by month and announced each month in the notices section of the official website
• Towels: A logo towel is sold for 300 yen, and a bath towel can be rented for 600 yen (tax included)
• Open-air bath: Yes. It is an open-air bath looking out on the Pacific, and for overnight guests the hours of use are 5:30-10:00 and 11:00-24:00
• Private baths: Two, "Tsubaki no Yu" and "Hamagiku no Yu." 2,200 yen for 45 minutes (tax included), 11:00-22:15 (last start 21:30), fully by reservation. Day-trip users additionally need to pay the 1,100 yen bathing fee per person
• Barrier-free: The private bath "Hamagiku no Yu" is barrier-free. There are no barrier-free guest rooms
• Resting on a day trip: No waiting room is provided; the lobby and lounge are used for resting
• Parking: Free, no reservation needed, 95 spaces (50 passenger cars, 20 buses, 25 microbuses)
• Payment: Credit cards including JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, Diners, UC, DC and UFJ Nicos can be used
• Access (by car): About 15 minutes from the Kitaibaraki IC on the Joban Expressway via Prefectural Route 69 and National Route 6. From the Sendai direction it is about 15 minutes from the Iwaki-Nakoso IC via National Route 289 and National Route 6. From the Tokyo metropolitan area it is about 2 hours 30 minutes
• Access (by rail): About 5 minutes by car from Otsuko Station on the JR Joban Line, and about 15 minutes by car from Isohara Station or Nakoso Station. A transfer service by advance reservation is available for overnight guests, covering arrivals at Otsuko Station between 14:00 and 17:00, at Isohara Station at 15:45, and at Nakoso Station at 14:54 and 16:54 (on a first-come basis)
• Rokkakudo (Izura Institute of Art and Culture, Ibaraki University): Admission 400 yen; 350 yen for those aged 70 and over and for groups of 20 or more; free for junior high school age and under. Open 9:30-16:30 (admission until 30 minutes before closing), closed in principle every Monday (the following day when Monday is a public holiday). Address: 727-2 Izura, Otsu-cho, Kitaibaraki City
• Access to the Rokkakudo: About 10 minutes by taxi from JR Otsuko Station. There is also a Kitaibaraki City circular bus (Izura Line), but its operating days and hours are limited, so checking in advance is necessary
• Mutual ticket discounts: There is a mutual discount agreement among the Izura Institute of Art and Culture, the Ibaraki Prefectural Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art, Izura, the Kitaibaraki City Museum of History and Folklore (Ujo Noguchi Memorial Museum) and the Kitaibaraki City Fisheries Folk Museum (Yo-Soro), and presenting a ticket from any one of them gets you a discount
• Distances on foot: From the hotel it is about 2 minutes on foot to the Rokkakudo, about 5 minutes to Tenshin Historic Site Memorial Park, and about 10 minutes to the Ibaraki Prefectural Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art, Izura
• Pets: Pets may not accompany guests at the hotel (guide dogs, service dogs and hearing dogs excepted; you must notify them when booking)
• Rough time needed: One to two hours for bathing alone, or half a day if combined with a visit to the Rokkakudo and the museum
• Address: 722 Otsu-cho, Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture (Izura Kanko Hotel Annex Taikanso)

Practical Travel Notes

Daytime is best for taking in the sea and the hall in good light, and the crisp air from autumn into winter makes the view especially sharp. Nearby, within walking distance or a short drive, are the Ibaraki Tenshin Memorial Izura Museum of Art and Okakura Tenshins former residence, well suited to a half day of culture and coastal scenery. In winter many inns serve anglerfish dishes, so pairing a meal with the bath is rewarding. Budget wise, the hall costs a few hundred yen and day bathing around a thousand yen.

A Quick Tip

The bright hours of the day are best for enjoying the hexagonal hall and sea view. Pair a stroll through this Tenshin linked area with a soak in the hot spring. The seafront can be windy on some days, so a jacket is a good idea.

📚 Sources

The day-trip bathing reception hours, fees, towel charges and the suspension of the evening session, the spring quality and source temperature, the fact that the water is free-flowing from the source, the private bath fees and reservation method, the number of parking spaces, the acceptance of credit cards and the transfer service from the stations were confirmed on the official website of the Izura Kanko Hotel Annex Taikanso (the day-trip bathing, hot spring, access and FAQ pages). The Rokkakudo's admission fee, opening hours, closing days, access and mutual discounts, and the dates relating to Tenshin Okakura and the Japan Art Institute, follow the official website of the Izura Institute of Art and Culture of Ibaraki University. Details are subject to change, so please check official sources before setting out.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Spring quality and source temperature: Sodium-calcium chloride spring, source temperature 71 degrees
• Handling of the water: The Taikan no Yu bath is free-flowing straight from the source
• Benefits: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, stiffness in the joints, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive complaints, sensitivity to cold, cuts, burns, chronic skin conditions, chronic women's ailments, convalescence after illness, recovery from fatigue and general health promotion
• Reception hours for day-use bathing: 11:00-15:00 (last admission 14:30). The evening session from 18:00 to 21:00 is currently suspended
• Day-use bathing fee: 1,100 yen for adults and 600 yen for children (primary school students), including tax
• Closed days: Closed days for day-use bathing are set month by month and announced each month in the news section of the official website
• Towels: Logo towels are sold at 300 yen and bath towels can be rented for 600 yen (including tax)
• Open-air bath: Available. It looks out over the Pacific Ocean, and for overnight guests it can be used from 5:30 to 10:00 and from 11:00 to 24:00
• Private baths: Two of them, Tsubaki no Yu and Hamagiku no Yu. 2,200 yen (including tax) for 45 minutes, from 11:00 to 22:15 (last start 21:30), by reservation only. Day visitors also need to pay the separate bathing fee of 1,100 yen per person
• Barrier-free access: The private bath Hamagiku no Yu is barrier-free. There are no barrier-free guest rooms
• Resting on a day visit: No waiting room is provided; day visitors use the lobby and lounge to rest
• Parking: Free and no reservation needed, 95 spaces (50 for cars, 20 for buses and 25 for microbuses)
• Payment: Credit cards including JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, Diners, UC, DC and UFJ Nicos are accepted
• Access (by car): About 15 minutes from the Kitaibaraki IC on the Joban Expressway via Prefectural Route 69 and National Route 6. From the Sendai direction, about 15 minutes from the Iwaki-Nakoso IC via National Routes 289 and 6. From the Tokyo metropolitan area it takes about 2 hours 30 minutes
• Access (by rail): About 5 minutes by car from Otsuko Station on the JR Joban Line, or about 15 minutes by car from Isohara Station or Nakoso Station. A pick-up service is available for overnight guests by advance reservation, covering arrivals at Otsuko Station between 14:00 and 17:00, at Isohara Station at 15:45, and at Nakoso Station at 14:54 and 16:54 (on a first-come, first-served basis)
• Rokkakudo (Izura Institute of Art and Culture, Ibaraki University): Admission 400 yen, 350 yen for visitors aged 70 and over and for groups of 20 or more, free for junior high school students and younger. Open 9:30-16:30 (last entry 30 minutes before closing), closed every Monday as a rule (the following day when Monday is a public holiday). The address is 727-2 Izura, Otsu-cho, Kitaibaraki City
• Access to Rokkakudo: About 10 minutes by taxi from JR Otsuko Station. There is also a Kitaibaraki City community bus (Izura Line), but the days and times it runs are limited, so check in advance
• Reciprocal ticket discounts: The Izura Institute of Art and Culture, the Ibaraki Prefectural Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art Izura, the Kitaibaraki City Museum of History and Folklore (Noguchi Ujo Memorial Hall) and the Kitaibaraki City Fisheries Folk Museum (Yo-Soro) have a reciprocal discount agreement, and showing a ticket from any one of them earns you a discount
• Distances within walking range: From the hotel it is about a 2-minute walk to Rokkakudo, about a 5-minute walk to Tenshin Iseki Memorial Park and about a 10-minute walk to the Ibaraki Prefectural Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art Izura
• Pets: Pets are not allowed at the hotel (except guide dogs, service dogs and hearing dogs, which must be declared when booking)
• How long to allow: One to two hours if you are just bathing, or half a day if you combine it with a visit to Rokkakudo and the museum
• Address: 722 Otsu-cho, Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture (Izura Kanko Hotel Bekkan Taikanso)

Information Sources

The reception hours and fees for day-use bathing, the towel charges, the suspension of the evening session, the spring quality and source temperature, the fact that the water flows straight from the source, the fees and reservation procedure for the private baths, the number of parking spaces, the acceptance of credit cards and the pick-up service from the stations were confirmed on the official website of Izura Kanko Hotel Bekkan Taikanso (the day-use bathing, hot spring, access and frequently asked questions pages). The admission fee, opening hours, closed days, access and reciprocal discounts for Rokkakudo, as well as the dates relating to Okakura Tenshin and the Japan Art Institute, are from the official website of the Izura Institute of Art and Culture, Ibaraki University. Details are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.