Ohara Onsen in Kyoto City: Hot Spring Guide & Prices

In Ohara, a mountain village of Kyoto known as the gate town of temples like Sanzenin and Jakkoin, Ohara Onsen wells up. Drawn from deep underground, the water is a soft spring rich in the sodium and bicarbonate ions said to benefit the skin. In the quiet setting embraced by peaceful rural scenery, you can spend a healing time as body and mind unwind. Though a relatively new spring opened in 2004, it has grown popular as a finish to a round of temple visits.

Highlights

• Soft water close to a beauty spring, said to soften the skin
• A historic mountain village dotted with fine temples such as Sanzenin and Jakkoin
• Peaceful village scenery of fields and surrounding hills
• Inns with open air baths where you soak to the murmur of a stream

Enjoying the Seasons

Spring brings rape blossoms and cherry trees, early summer green maples, autumn foliage that dyes the whole village, and winter a snow dressed mountain hamlet, making Ohara especially lovely as the seasons turn. After touring Sanzenin or Jakkoin, warming up slowly in the spring is recommended. A winter snow viewing bath becomes an exceptional time wrapped in quiet. Sanzenin in autumn is among Kyotos finest foliage spots and is well worth visiting alongside the bath.

Access and Basic Information

• About 20 minutes to Ohara by Kyoto Bus from in front of the Kokusaikaikan subway station, roughly 360 yen one way
• There is also a direct bus route from Kyoto Station
• The spring is a simple type, a low tonic weakly alkaline low temperature spring
• Day bathing is possible at inns with open air baths, though it may run mainly on weekends and holidays or come paired with a meal
• Within walking distance toward Sanzenin from the Ohara bus stop

Practical Travel Notes

• Day bathing may run mainly on weekends and holidays, or be offered only as a set with a meal, so it is best to call ahead to confirm.
• Sights such as Sanzenin, Jakkoin and Hosenin cluster within walking distance, making it easy to plan a half day or full day ending with a bath after temple visits.
• The area around Sanzenin is very crowded in the autumn foliage season, so touring the temples early and resting at the spring in the early afternoon is comfortable.
• As a mountain village it is cooler than the central city. In winter, come dressed warmly and slowly enjoy a snow viewing soak.
• Since buses are the main transport, checking the return bus times keeps the trip home smooth.

A Quick Tip

Ohara grows especially popular in autumn as a spot for foliage. Stopping by after walking among the temples makes the bath all the more welcome. Day bathing may be limited in its days or conditions, so confirm before you go. As a mountain village it is cooler than the city. In winter, come dressed warmly and slowly enjoy a snow viewing soak.