Introducing Hitoyoshi Onsen Kashikiri-yu Iyashi-no-Mori

Hello, this is Aikero, writer for Sarukuma!

Today I’m introducing a wonderful spot in Onigi-machi, Hitoyoshi City:
Hitoyoshi Onsen Kashikiri-yu Iyashi-no-Mori (Healing Forest Private Baths).

Don’t you just crave a good hot spring soak on holidays or after a long day trip? (●＾o＾●)
With small children at home, our family always opts for private family baths (kashikiri-yu).

This time, I’d love to share an excellent family bathhouse we discovered on the way home from a Hitoyoshi adventure. ♪
Here’s where we visited that day:

Perfect for outings with little ones — and rainy-day friendly, too! ♫
◆ Hitoyoshi Railway Museum MOZOCA Station 868

Hitoyoshi Railway Museum MOZOCA Station 868 (Nakaaoi-machi, Hitoyoshi) – Rainy day fun! All aboard the mini train!

Sweet potato treats, gelato, and light meals — the terrace seating is highly recommended! ♫
◆ bunshodo cafe

bunshodo cafe (Kokonoka-machi, Hitoyoshi) – Newly opened in February! When you’re in Hitoyoshi and craving something sweet, go for the sweet potato! ♫

Loads of hands-on experiences — also great for rainy days! ♫
◆ Hitoyoshi Craft Park Ishino Park
(Not yet featured on Sarukuma — please check the official website for details.)

And to wrap it all up: a soothing onsen on the way home!
It’s a manageable schedule even with kids in tow.
With plenty of indoor options for rainy weather, you don’t have to fret about the forecast. ♪
It’s only about 1–2 minutes by car from the Hitoyoshi IC tollgate (the official site says just 1 minute!).
Soak away the day’s tiredness, then hop right back on the expressway — what unbeatable access!

However!
It’s tucked just off the main road, so keep a close eye on your navigation app and the signs so you don’t miss the turn. (^^)/

You’ll head into a slightly narrow road that opens into a residential area, and you might wonder “Did I take a wrong turn?!” — but trust your GPS and yourself, and after about a minute it will appear! ♪
(Sadly, if you’ve been driving for over 3 minutes, you may have gone the wrong way…)Here are the operating hours.
The parking lot is spacious and easy to use.A glossy, glowing Kumamon (looking refreshed from the spring waters!) greets you at the entrance. (^^)/ Haha!The interior has high ceilings and a wonderfully open feel.
There are chairs, tables, and a TV, so you can relax comfortably while you wait.

You purchase your ticket from this vending machine.
Here are the price plans. (^^)/

◎ Healing Course: ¥1,680 – ¥1,980 (60 min weekdays / 50 min weekends & holidays)
◎ Relaxation Course: ¥2,380 – ¥2,680 (90 min weekdays / 80 min weekends & holidays)

Even on weekends and holidays, 80 minutes for ¥2,380 is a steal! ＼(^o^)／

・With open-air bath: +¥300
・With private toilet: +¥200
・10-minute extension: +¥200
・Weekday solo bather: ¥1,100

※Each room accommodates up to 4 people.
For parties larger than 4, an additional ¥350 per person applies.
There are an incredible 18 bath rooms!
And every single one features free-flowing natural hot spring water (gensen kakenagashi).

Bath types include: (^^)/
・Indoor bath
・Indoor bath with half-body soak
・Bath with open-air section
・Hinoki cypress bath

And there’s more!
★ Air conditioning in every room
★ Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and hair dryer in every room
★ Barrier-free rooms with step-free access to the changing area (rooms 16–20)

There’s such a wide variety that I’d recommend checking the official Hitoyoshi Onsen Kashikiri-yu Iyashi-no-Mori website beforehand to make things smooth.
No worries if you arrive empty-handed!

You can purchase towels, body towels, and a 4-piece skincare set on site. ♪Such a lifesaver!!
They also lend out baby bath chairs and bouncers!

What’s more, bath toys for little ones are available to borrow as well — quantities are limited, so just ask at the front desk! ♪My head spins with all these numbers, but I hear that if you plan to come back, the multi-visit ticket book is a great deal!The restrooms are just to the right as you exit the lobby.The greenery in the central courtyard is so soothing.
With 18 rooms in total, do check the floor map to find your room. (^^)/
Now, let’s head to the bath!

Highlights of Hitoyoshi Onsen Kashikiri-yu Iyashi-no-Mori

This time we chose the room called “Kunimi-dake” (named after the local mountain)!Here’s the changing area.
Someone in the family couldn’t wait, so the mosaic blur is extra strong on this one… haha!
The air conditioning is free!This is an indoor-style bath.
The gentle aroma of wood drifts through the air — heavenly!

The water wasn’t too hot or too cool, so even our young children could climb right in.
When kids are involved, water temperature really matters!
Here’s the washing area.
Turn the nozzle right for cold water; far left is scorching hot — find your sweet spot! (^○^)Open a window and feel the fresh outdoor breeze drift in — bliss! ♪

You can clearly see the changing-room clock from inside the bath, so you can keep track of time while still fully unwinding. (●＾o＾●)And of course, after the bath you simply have to grab a drink…
Cheers, everyone! (My son will have to wait until he’s older! (>_<))

Many people travel to Hitoyoshi via the expressway.
As part of the recovery and lifestyle support efforts following the heavy rain disaster of July 2020 in the Hitoyoshi-Kuma region, the section between Yatsushiro IC and Hitoyoshi IC is currently still toll-free.
(Applies only when entering at Yatsushiro IC or Hitoyoshi IC and exiting at Hitoyoshi IC or Yatsushiro IC.)

Living in Kumamoto City, I rarely make it down to the Hitoyoshi area, but on this trip I discovered such a wonderful onsen and was able to write about it — what a fantastic day! (^^)

If you ever find yourself in Hitoyoshi, please do drop by Hitoyoshi Onsen Kashikiri-yu Iyashi-no-Mori! (●＾o＾●)

Hitoyoshi Railway Museum MOZOCA Station 868 (Nakaaoi-machi, Hitoyoshi) – Rainy day fun! All aboard the mini train!

bunshodo cafe (Kokonoka-machi, Hitoyoshi) – Newly opened in February! When you’re in Hitoyoshi and craving something sweet, go for the sweet potato! ♫

Follow us on Instagram — daily updates!
At Sarukuma, we share lunch spots, parks, indoor play ideas, and more for families raising kids in Kumamoto.
We’d love to have you follow along! (*´∀｀*)

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and operating hours are subject to change. Please check before visiting.