Yu No Saka

Kurume Onsen

After living in Kurume for three years, I finally went to an onsen that's in the city. There are onsen in the surrounding cities and all over Kyushu that I have been to, but this is a little close to home. I went on a weekday morning and it wasn't empty, but there were several people coming and going, there the whole time. There's a cold pool, warm pool, jacuzzi pool, and outdoor pool, plus a dry sauna. One thing to note is that the shower water that you use to wash before and after bathing smells like sulfur. I didn't notice if the onsen was also sulfur smelling. I'm not sure if there were other showers that didn't use the onsen water. I felt like I needed to take a shower after going because I smelled weird. It was really relaxing despite me being a little nervous I might run into someone I knew. I think a lot of the guests were staying in the attached hotel. I noticed a sign downstairs outside the entrance to the onsen that people who have been drinking or with tattoos shouldn't enter. This was sort of funny. I think it's obvious information for most people in Japan, but the sign was easily overlooked before paying in the lobby and entering. "Short Stay" entrance is for three hours - more than enough time, but all day for a higher fee is also an option. No photos or phone use allowed inside the onsen or changing rooms. Closed for cleaning between 9-10 am every day.