Yuda Onsen and Yamaguchi City: Itinerary (Yamaguchi)

Said to have been found by a white fox, Yuda Onsen boasts abundant hot water right in the heart of Yamaguchi. This relaxed one-day course combines the hot spring with the sights of Yamaguchi city, where Ouchi culture once flourished.

Course Route

10:00 Start at a Yuda Onsen footbath Ease your travel fatigue at the free footbaths scattered around the town. Yuda Onsen is a high-temperature alkaline simple spring, known for its soft, gentle water, and casual footbaths are set up here and there around town.

11:00 National Treasure Rurikoji five-story pagoda Admire the graceful pagoda, a symbol of Ouchi culture, amid the greenery of Kozan Park. However, since 2023 the pagoda has been undergoing preservation work on its cypress-bark roof as part of the Reiwa great repair, and it is currently covered entirely by temporary scaffolding housing. The pagoda itself cannot be seen, but the park offers displays about the repair. Check the latest viewing status before you visit.

12:30 Lunch in Yamaguchi city Enjoy dishes made with local ingredients along a quiet street.

14:00 Visit the Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church A memorial church unique to Yamaguchi, where Francis Xavier stayed to spread Christianity in the Warring States period. The white building on a hill is striking, and it conveys the history of a town where Western culture arrived early.

16:00 A soak at a Yuda Onsen inn End the day with a long, relaxing soak in plentiful hot water.

Highlights

Kozan Park tied to Ouchi culture and the easygoing footbaths of Yuda Onsen are the main draws. The Rurikoji pagoda cannot be seen during preservation work, but sites tied to Ouchi culture are dotted around central Yamaguchi.

Access and Tips

Yuda Onsen and central Yamaguchi are close, reachable by bus or on foot. The nearest station to Yuda Onsen is Yuda Onsen Station on the JR Yamaguchi Line, with the hot spring district within walking distance. Local and community buses are handy for the city sights. A small towel is useful for the footbaths.

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: Touring the footbaths, Kozan Park, and the Xavier Memorial Church, then soaking in the evening, allow a full day for a relaxed pace.
• Getting there: From JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station, take the Yamaguchi Line to Yuda Onsen or Yamaguchi Station. In the city, local buses and walking are the main options. Yuda Onsen and central Yamaguchi are close and easy to combine.
• Fees: The footbaths around town are generally free to use (some paid footbath facilities also exist). Strolling Kozan Park is free, while the Rurikoji museum or main hall may charge admission. The Xavier Memorial Church may charge to enter the chapel interior, so check locally. Day-use bathing prices differ by inn.
• Repair notice: The Rurikoji pagoda has been under preservation work since 2023 and is covered by temporary scaffolding. If you are hoping to see the pagoda exterior, check the progress of the repair in advance.
• Enjoying the hot spring: The charm of Yuda Onsen is dropping into a free footbath between sights. Some inns also accept day-use bathing.

A Quick Tip

The charm of Yuda Onsen is dropping into a footbath between sights. In the evening, warm up slowly in your inn bath.

Practical Information for Your Visit

Assumptions for this course (time required and transport)

• A one-day itinerary with no overnight stay. Starting from Yuda Onsen, it takes in Kozan Park (the Rurikoji five-storied pagoda) and the Xavier Memorial Church, and returns to the hot spring in the evening.
• Yuda Onsen and central Yamaguchi City are close together, and you can get around by local bus, community bus and on foot.

Opening hours / closing days of each facility

• Rurikoji five-storied pagoda (Kozan Park): You are free to stroll around the park. The pagoda has completed its "Great Reiwa Restoration"; the temporary roof was dismantled in March 2026, and a ceremony marking the completion of the works was held on April 23 of the same year. It can now be viewed without any covering.
• Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church: 10:00-16:00. Open all year round (except on special occasions). When the memorial church (2nd floor) is in use for services or events, it can only be viewed through the glass doors.
• Foot baths in Yuda Onsen: There are several around the town, and their hours of use differ from facility to facility.

Price guide

• Strolling in Kozan Park: free of charge.
• Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church: a visitor's offering of 200 yen for adults (junior high school students and above) and 100 yen for elementary school students; free for infants and toddlers.
• Foot baths around the town: free of charge in principle (some facilities charge).
• Day-use bathing at the ryokan inns: fees differ from inn to inn.

Access

• Take the JR Yamaguchi Line from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station to Yudaonsen Station or Yamaguchi Station.
• The hot spring district is within walking distance of Yudaonsen Station.
• For Kozan Park and the Xavier Memorial Church, local buses and community buses from Yamaguchi Station are convenient.

Parking

• Both Kozan Park and the Xavier Memorial Church have parking for visitors. Space is limited, so public transport is recommended in busy periods.

What needs to be reserved

• No reservation is needed for individual visits.
• Groups visiting the Xavier Memorial Church need to contact the church office in advance.
• Day-use bathing at the ryokan inns has limited reception hours, so we recommend checking in advance.

Points to note and safety notes

• The Xavier Memorial Church is a place of prayer. Visits may be restricted during Mass and other services. Please view it quietly.
• A towel (tenugui hand towel) is handy when going around the foot baths.
• For the effects and indications of the hot spring waters, please check the hot spring analysis certificate posted at each facility.

* The information given here is subject to change. Please check the latest information on the official websites before you set out.

(Sources: Catholic Yamaguchi Church (Xavier Memorial Church) official website / Yamaguchi City official website "National Treasure Rurikoji Five-Storied Pagoda: Ceremony Marking the Completion of the Great Reiwa Restoration" / as of July 2026)