Maga Onsen: Day-Use Hot Spring Baths & Prices (Okayama)

Standing in a mountain fold along the Asahi River in Maniwa City, the Maga bathhouse is a rustic communal bath long cherished by those seeking a cure. Reached by climbing a flight of stone steps, the building preserves an old-fashioned spa atmosphere to this day. It is known as a connoisseurs favorite within the Yubara hot spring area.

Highlights

Its specialty is the Makuyu, where the source water wells up right under the bathers feet. Such foot-of-the-bath emergence is rare, letting you feel the freshness of the water with your whole body. The alkaline simple spring has a soft feel, and though the tub is compact, the comfort of the free-flowing source is exceptional. A regular bath, the Makuyu, and a private bath are all available.

Enjoying the Seasons

The surroundings are deep green mountains, and fresh spring leaves and autumn foliage color the post-bath stroll. Bathing while listening to the murmur of the river brings quiet healing in every season.

Access and Basic Information

Located in Nakama, Maniwa City, Okayama. It is a short drive from the Yubara interchange on the Yonago Expressway, easy to combine with the Yubara hot spring area. As a communal bath the facilities are simple, but the water is renowned.

A Quick Tip

The bath is small, so please share the space courteously. Because of the stone steps, comfortable shoes make the visit easier.

Practical Travel Notes

• Spring quality: An alkaline simple spring. The Makuyu is famous for its foot-of-the-bath emergence, where the source wells up from the bottom of the tub, offering water of high freshness.
• Day-use fees: As a guide, the regular bath is 250 yen for adults and 100 yen for children, the celebrated Makuyu is 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children, and the private bath is 1,300 yen for up to three people. Hours run roughly from 8:00 to 21:00 (last reception just after 20:00).
• Access: A short drive from the Yubara interchange on the Yonago Expressway. Handy for bath hopping with the Suna-yu of Yubara and Taru. The bathhouse sits at the top of a stone stairway.
• Fees and hours may change, so please check the latest information before visiting.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring (hypotonic, alkaline, high-temperature spring)
• Indications: Chronic rheumatism, neuralgia, neuritis, disorders of the motor organs such as bones and joints, recovery from fatigue, insomnia, arteriosclerosis, weakened gastrointestinal function, chronic dermatitis, sensitivity to cold and more
• Use of the water: In the Maku-yu bath the hot spring wells up from the bedrock at the bottom of the tub, straight under your feet
• Layout of the baths: Maku-yu (an indoor mixed-gender rock bath), Futsu-yu (separate indoor baths for men and women) and three private baths
• Day-use bathing: 8:00-21:00 (last admission 20:10)
• Closed: Tuesdays (except public holidays)
• Fees: Futsu-yu 250 yen for adults, 100 yen for children / Maku-yu 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for children / private bath 1,300 yen (one hour, up to 3 people)
• Open-air bath: None. All the baths are indoors
• Parking: 5 spaces, with 10 more on the riverbank across the road
• Access: About 5 minutes by car from Yubara IC on the Yonago Expressway. From JR Chugoku-Katsuyama Station, about 20 minutes by bus bound for Hiruzen Kogen, then right by the "Maga Onsen-mae" bus stop
• Underfoot: You climb a flight of steps from the parking area up to the bathhouse. Come in shoes that are easy to walk in
• Time needed: About one hour for a bath
• Location: 180 Nakama, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture

Information Sources

The opening hours, last admission, closed days, bathing fees, private baths, parking and access for Maga Onsen-kan were checked with the facility information on Okayama Tourism WEB, run by the Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation, and on Maniwa Tourism WEB. The spring quality and indications come from the facility information on "Mimasaka no Kuni", the tourism information site for the Mimasaka area of Okayama Prefecture. The description of the Maku-yu bath welling up under your feet and the origin of the name relating to the lords of the Tsuyama and Katsuyama domains are based on the accounts on Okayama Tourism WEB and Maniwa Tourism WEB. The hot spring resorts that make up Yubara Onsen-kyo and the number of inns at Maga Onsen come from the Maniwa Tourism Bureau's Yubara Onsen feature. Opening hours, prices and closed days are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.