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

The Taru bathhouse in the Yubara hot spring area of Maniwa City draws from an old source welling up in the bed of the Asahi River. In the Genki era it is said that water sealed in barrels was sent to heal the sword wounds of warriors injured in battle, and the word for barrel is said to be the origin of its name. It is Yubaras representative day-use bath, gathering both locals and travelers.

Highlights

The water is a simple alkaline spring with a soft, high-pH feel. Long valued for soothing cuts and skin troubles and easing fatigue, it has been cherished by locals for generations. Along with a large bath there are open-air and private baths, all fed by the free-flowing source.

Enjoying the Seasons

The Yubara area is ringed by mountains and river, with fresh greenery in spring and vivid foliage in autumn. Combined with the Suna-yu of Yubara and Maga Onsen, it makes for a full day of bath hopping.

Access and Basic Information

Located in Maniwa City, Okayama. It is a short drive from the Yubara interchange on the Yonago Expressway and sits in the heart of the Yubara hot spring town. As a day-use facility it is enjoyed by locals and travelers alike.

A Quick Tip

Distinctive baths such as Suna-yu and Maga Onsen are close by. To enjoy bath hopping, visiting in comfortable clothing is recommended.

Practical Travel Notes

• Spring quality: An alkaline simple spring with a pH of 9.2. It is said to help with nerve pain, skin troubles, and fatigue, offering a soft, free-flowing source bath.
• Day-use fees: As a guide, 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children. Hours run roughly from 10:00 to 21:00 (last reception 20:30), and it is closed on Thursdays.
• Access: A short drive from the Yubara interchange on the Yonago Expressway. In the heart of the Yubara town, handy for bath hopping with Suna-yu and Maga Onsen.
• Fees, hours, and closing days may change, so please check the latest information before visiting.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring (pH 9.2). It is said to be good for neuralgia, skin complaints and recovery from fatigue, and has long been known as a bath for cuts and skin conditions
• Use of the water: Free-flowing spring water. However, because the source temperature is a lukewarm 40 degrees or so, it is heated (changed from a recirculating filtration system in April 2021)
• Source temperature and flow rate: About 40 degrees (39.8 degrees) / 150 litres per minute
• Open-air bath: In addition to the large baths separated for men and women, there is an open-air bath
• Day-use bathing hours: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (last admission 8:30 p.m.)
• Bathing fee: 800 yen for adults (junior high school age and above), 400 yen for children (elementary school age)
• Closed: Every Thursday
• Family bath: 3,300 yen per hour for up to 3 people (the ordinary bathing fee is added for each extra person). Since the refurbishment there are two rooms
• Taking the hot spring water home: Sold at 110 yen for 10 litres. You need to bring your own container
• Parking: Available
• Access: About 5 minutes by car from Yubara Interchange on the Yonago Expressway. It stands alongside the Asahi River
• Time needed: About one hour if you only take a bath. If you combine it with the Sunayu open-air bath at Yubara Onsen or with Maga Onsen, allow half a day to be comfortable
• Location: 346-1 Tokiashi, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture (telephone 0867-62-2966)

Yubara Onsen-kyo is close enough to be combined by car with Hiruzen Kogen, so you can also drop in on the way back from a drive in the highlands.

Information Sources

The bathing fees, opening hours, closed days, family bath charges, the price of the hot spring water sold and the origin of the name are based on the guide to Taru Onsen-kan on the official website of Maniwa City. The spring quality, pH and the layout of the facility come from the facility information on Maniwa Tourism WEB; the five hot spring resorts that make up Yubara Onsen-kyo, the naturally gushing water of Yubara Onsen at about 45 degrees and its ranking in the open-air bath league table of 1980 (Showa 55), and the character of Maga Onsen and Goen Onsen come from the Yubara Onsen feature on the same site; and the details of the 2021 refurbishment (the change from recirculating filtration to free-flowing spring water, the cost of the works, the source temperature and flow rate, the heating, the change in the number of family baths, and the opening in 1999 (Heisei 11)) come from the renewal reports in the Maniwa Times and the Tsuyama Asahi Shimbun. Prices and opening hours are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.