Kawazu Onsen: Day-Use Hot Spring Baths & Prices

In the southeastern Izu Peninsula, with bathing spots scattered along the Kawazu River, the Kawazu hot spring district is known nationwide for its early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms. The pairing of cherry trees lining the river with drifting steam is an early-spring scene found nowhere else. Abundant waters and a peaceful rural landscape give visitors a gentle welcome.

Highlights

Along the Kawazu River through the center of town, cherry trees stretch for about four kilometers, and in blooming season the deep pink flowers are mirrored in the water. During the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, stalls line the streets and the whole town is wrapped in festive color. Upstream, the Kawazu Nanadaru path tours seven tiered waterfalls, a popular walk that offers gorge scenery and waterfall-viewing.

The Great Geyser of Mine Onsen, Shooting into the Sky

The Mine Onsen Daifunto geyser, in one corner of the hot spring town, is essential to any account of the Kawazu district. It burst forth with a great roar in 1926 (Taisho 15), and water of nearly 100 degrees Celsius shoots up all at once at about 600 liters per minute, reaching as high as 30 meters at its peak. Today, to protect the source, it is allowed to erupt only a set number of times a day at fixed hours, and its force, called the greatest in the Orient, is a must-see. Between eruptions you can soak in the footbath on the grounds and feel up close the energy of hot water arriving from deep underground. Kawazu's waters are chiefly a sodium chloride spring, and the salt-bearing water warms the body gently.

Enjoying the Seasons

The Kawazu cherry blossoms, at their best from early February into early March, are the district's greatest charm. At night the illuminated trees float up dreamlike. Beyond the blossoms, fresh greenery and autumn foliage let you enjoy nature all year.

Access and Basic Information

From Kawazu Station on the Izu Kyuko Line, the cherry-lined river is just a few minutes on foot, and buses to the hot spring district and the Kawazu Nanadaru direction depart from in front of the station. By car, the usual route runs down through Izu from the Numazu direction. For day-use bathing, the Odoriko Onsen Kaikan in Mine Onsen is convenient, generally open from about 10:00 to 21:00, with adult admission around 1,000 yen as a guide and closed on Tuesdays (open daily during the cherry festival, please check the official site for the latest). The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is typically held from early February into early March.

Practical Travel Notes

During the festival the whole town is very crowded and parking fills quickly, so public transport is recommended. The cherry trees in early morning are quiet, letting you gaze at the blossoms mirrored in the river at leisure. A cherry-blossom walk fills half a day, and adding Kawazu Nanadaru or the Odoriko Onsen Kaikan makes a full-day route. Budget-wise, the cherry walk is free, day-use bathing around a thousand yen, and the Nanadaru path is also free to walk. Outside cherry season it is relatively quiet, ideal for a leisurely gorge walk and a soak.

A Quick Tip

The festival period is very crowded, so public transport is recommended. The cherry trees in early morning are quiet, letting you view the blossoms at leisure. Visiting the Kawazu Nanadaru path in comfortable shoes lets you fully enjoy the waterfall tour.

Sightseeing Checklist

• Estimated time: About 1 hour for a bath
• What to bring: A towel (on sale) and a change of clothes
• Best season: All year, though it is busiest during the Kawazu cherry blossom in February and March
• Avoiding the crowds: It gets busy during the cherry blossom festival, so go outside peak hours
• Nearby stops: The Kawazu cherry trees, the Kawazu Seven Falls, Mine Onsen Daifunto Park and Imaihama Beach

📚 Sources

This article is compiled from tourism information for Shizuoka Prefecture and information published by the individual facilities. Fees, opening hours and closing days may change, so please check each facility's official information before setting out.