Hawai Onsen: Hot Spring Guide & Visitor Access (Tottori)

On the shore of Lake Togo in Yurihama Town, Hawai Onsen is famous for a rare sight: inns built out over the water so that, viewed from the opposite bank, the buildings appear to float upon the lake. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the tropical Hawaii; it derives from the area's old place name, written with characters read Hawai. Its origins trace to 1843, when fishermen noticed hot water welling up from the bed of Lake Togo, and the breeze crossing the lake and the quiet waterscape make this a spa town that gently soothes the mind.

Highlights

Many inns feature open-air baths that jut out over the lake, letting you feel as though you are merging with the water's surface as you soak. Freshwater clams are harvested on Lake Togo, and promenades and parks line the shore. The spa town was formed by reclaiming a spit of land into the lake, so from the far bank the inns seem to float on the water, its signature sight. Combined with Togo Onsen on the opposite shore, a walk that circles the lake makes for a refreshing outing.

Enjoying the Seasons

Spring brings cherry blossoms along the shore, while summer offers sunsets mirrored in the lake. Autumn reflects colored leaves on the still surface, and in winter migratory birds rest their wings here. The hour of dusk, when the lake turns orange, is especially memorable, and watching that sunset from an open-air bath is a luxury unique to this spa.

Access and Basic Information

It is about a sixteen-minute bus ride from JR Kurayoshi Station on the San'in Main Line, or roughly ten minutes by taxi, and easily reached from the Tomari-Togo interchange on the San'in Expressway. The waters are a chloride-sulfate spring, marked by abundant flow rising from the lakebed. Lakeside day-use bathing facilities and a foot bath let you enjoy the waters casually while gazing over the water. Day-use fees vary by facility, so checking before your visit is recommended.

Practical Travel Notes

The finest moment is dusk. To catch an open-air soak just as the lake glows crimson, be in the bath about thirty minutes before sunset for the fullest effect. To avoid crowds, an evening bath after inn guests have finished dinner is a good window. Plan on two to three hours for a day-use bath and a lakeside stroll, or an overnight stay to enjoy both the sunset and the quiet morning lakescape. Togo Onsen on the far shore is only a few minutes away by car around the lake, so comparing the two spas is a pleasant diversion. Budget a few hundred to just over a thousand yen for a day-use bath; overnight plans with a lake-facing open-air bath vary in price.

A Quick Tip

To enjoy the sunset, choose an inn with a lake-facing open-air bath. The shore breeze is pleasant, but evenings can turn chilly, so bring a jacket for your walk to stay comfortable. As a bit of trivia to spark travel conversation, the name Hawai comes from the old local place name Hawai and has nothing to do with the tropical Hawaii.