Okumizuma Onsen: Hot Spring Guide, Prices & Access

In Kaizuka City, Osaka, set in the hills sometimes called the inner retreat of Senshu, Okumizuma Onsen is a single secluded inn nestled beside a clear stream. Surrounded by nature so deep it is hard to believe it is only about an hour by car from central Osaka, it lets you soak to the murmur of the Chikiri River. The natural sodium spring is cherished as a beauty water said to leave the skin smooth.

Highlights

• A riverside open-air bath where you soak to the sound of the water, taking in the greenery of the Okumizuma valley surrounded by beech woods and a clear stream.
• A highly concentrated natural sodium spring. Long known as a therapeutic spring, it is cherished as a gentle beauty water.
• A single inn offering creative cuisine that draws on the bounty of the mountains.
• Day bathing is available, with a quiet hideaway atmosphere.

Enjoying the Seasons

From fresh greenery in spring to a cool valley in summer and foliage in autumn, the nature of all four seasons feels close at hand. Autumn is especially fine, with the mountains turning color and a striking view of the leaves from the open-air bath. In winter, wrapped in silence, the warm water feels all the more welcome.

Access and Basic Information

• Address: 3159 Kizumi, Kaizuka City, Osaka
• Access: About 10 minutes by car from Mizuma-Kannon Station on the Mizuma Railway, and about 10 minutes from the Kaizuka IC on the Hanwa Expressway (a free shuttle plan is offered for groups).
• Day bathing: bathing only around 11:00 to 20:00, or with a rest until around 21:00. The fee is about 1,100 yen for adults and 660 yen for children (subject to change; check the latest information).
• Parking available. Drive with care on the mountain road.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season: autumn foliage is especially beautiful, and early summer with fresh greenery is recommended too, when the valley is cool.
• Avoiding crowds: midday on weekends and holidays can be busy as dining guests overlap, so weekdays or mornings are calmer.
• Time to set aside: one to two hours for bathing alone, or about three to four hours for a plan with lunch or a rest.
• Real nearby spots: Mizumadera Temple (Mizuma Kannon), famed for warding off misfortune, is close by, and many visitors combine a visit. Matsuba Onsen Taki no Yu, also in Kaizuka City, is a short drive away.
• Budget sense: around 1,000-plus yen for day bathing alone, or about 3,000 to 5,000 yen for a plan with a meal or rest.

A Quick Tip

The surroundings are rich in nature and good for a walk. It suits those seeking hideaway-like quiet, so come on a day when you want to spend unhurried time. A day exploring the mountain hamlets of Kaizuka, pairing a visit to Mizuma Kannon or Matsuba Onsen, is also recommended.