Welcome to Kashima Yusui Park Natural Pool

Hello, travelers! This is Asukarando, writing for Sarukuma.

Today I’m taking you to a hidden gem in Kamimashiki District, Kashima Town—
the【Kashima Yusui Park Natural Pool】.

Summer in Kumamoto can be seriously hot—and it goes on and on! If you’re looking for a way to cool off in seconds, the Kashima Yusui Park Natural Pool is the answer.

Here’s the parking lot.

Parking fee: 500 yen (cash only)

From the parking lot, it’s just a one-minute stroll through peaceful countryside scenery to reach the natural pool.

There’s another parking area on the opposite side as well.

Simple portable toilets are available in the parking area.

There’s very little shade overall—only this small tree-shaded spot offers respite from the sun.
Many visitors bring their own pop-up tents, which is a great idea.

Visitors lay out their picnic mats and bags along the walkways and steps surrounding the pool.

There are food stalls on-site selling kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) and karaage (fried chicken).

Forgot to bring your gear? No problem—rentals are available for inflatable rings, boats, and nets.

Inflatable Ring: 1 hour 300 yen / 2 hours 500 yen

Unicorn Float: 1 hour 500 yen / 2 hours 800 yen

Boat: 1 hour 1,000 yen

Net (for catching fish or crayfish): 1 hour 300 yen / 2 hours 500 yen

※Rental hours: 10:00–16:00

There are no changing rooms on-site, so most visitors change inside their cars.

The shallowest section is off-limits to swimmers.
You can spot lots of fish here, but using nets in this area is prohibited.

There are no lifeguards on duty, so parents and guardians are responsible for keeping a close eye on children to prevent accidents.

Why You Should Visit Kashima Yusui Park Natural Pool

There are two big pools to enjoy!

The first is a 25-meter pool.
The bottom is lined with tiny pebbles.

This side was under repair and closed off during my visit.
The poolside has a wooden-deck-style surface, which makes it nicely non-slip.

I’d heard the water was cold, so I was nervous going in—and I lasted exactly 5 seconds before jumping right back out!
Cold… way too cold… it honestly feels like ice water!

Time to head over to the second pool.

The second pool is the truly natural one.
Aquatic plants grow inside, and the whole place feels alive with nature.

The water clarity here is absolutely incredible!

I started in the shallow end, and once my body got used to the chill, I was finally able to swim.

There are real fish swimming around—so swim with a net in one hand!

I rented a boat (1 hour for 1,000 yen) and tried boating for the very first time!

The wind kept pushing me around, and since I hadn’t quite figured out how to row, I almost ended up adrift—luckily a kind stranger nearby came to my rescue!

Boating on rivers or the sea can be risky because of currents, but here the pool is enclosed like a pond, making it a wonderfully safe spot for kids to try boating for the first time.

Even just dipping your feet in is enough to forget the summer heat completely.

Younger children may not last long in the icy water, so bringing buckets and sand-play sets is a great idea—they can scoop water from the pool and play happily on the poolside.

A quick tip from experience: beach sandals tend to slip off and make swimming difficult, so water shoes (marine shoes) are much more practical.

The fluffy shaved ice from the food stalls was absolutely delicious!

If you’re looking for a refreshing escape this summer, I highly recommend a visit to the Kashima Yusui Park Natural Pool.

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information was accurate at the time of visit. Prices and hours may change—please confirm before visiting.