Kiriake Onsen

What it is

• A natural hot spring located in the southern Akiyama-go area of Sakae Village.
• The site features mineral-rich water emerging from the riverbed at 54.7 degrees Celsius.
• Records of the spring date back to 1722 after its discovery around 1700.
• Three accommodation facilities currently operate at the site including the village-run Ogawakaku.

What to see

• Open-air baths that visitors dig for themselves in the Nakatsu River riverbed.
• Natural hot spring water containing calcium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate.
• The surrounding landscape of the southern Akiyama-go mountain region.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Tsunan followed by a shared taxi to reach the area.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.