Nishinomiya City - 西宮市
Futaba Onsen
Futaba Onsen
Japanese Name: 双葉温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 兵庫県西宮市分銅町２−２８Access: 15min from Hanshin Nishinomiya or Hankyu ShukugawaType: Sento w/ natural hot springWebpage: https://itp.ne.jp/info/286389411400000899/Price: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: WednesdayHours: 15:00-23:30
ReviewThe hot spring at Futaba Onsen is brownish with a light iron smell that stains the areas and leaves a calcium crust near it much like Hamada or Ogo onsen in the area. While the water is good, it's in no way the main focus of this sento. I've always thought the normal bath and the outdoor bath were the main features.The main normal bath is always piping hot. The design is such that there are many little corners to sit or stretch out in. Sadly the two strong jets are inconveniently placed making them useless for me. They are good for feet or lower back, but not much for the upper back here.There is a large shallow outdoor bath here. It takes up about 40% of the entire bathing area. It's decorated by a waterfall rock feature with real plants. The view is straight up into the sky. In the summer coming around dusk and watching the sky change colors makes sitting around the outdoor bath an absolute treat. You can pass out there for a long time, they even have a sign warning people about staying in the bath for too long. Besides the rotenburo there are two other baths using the hot spring water. A normal one in the back and a bubbling one is placed in a conspicuous spot right in front of the door to the changing room that might deter some bathers.I love the great big ゆ sign in the parking lot along with the hot spring waterfall out by the sidewalk. In side the changing room and small lobby is basic but welcoming. The family that runs the sento seem friendly enough. I've seen people I know and my students here on occasion.
**UPDATE** It seems that everyone’s quit doing this.The regulars like to cover the drain for the outdoor bath making it overflow, you'll notice a small CCTV camera pointed in that area. I like it when they do it (if you go when they do it you'll understand) and I never take the bucket that's covering the drain off, but I'd never put it there myself.
**UPDATE** Futaba is also special for me because it was the first sento I went to, and for a long time the only one I knew of. As an exchange student I would go there at least once a week, but typically more often. It's the closest sento to my house and I still enjoy coming here.
Hot Spring DataSpring Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉Well Temperature: 44.7°CTemperature Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉pH: 7.6pH Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アルカリ性Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性Well Name: Futaba no Yu - 双葉の湯
ReviewThe hot spring at Futaba Onsen is brownish with a light iron smell that stains the areas and leaves a calcium crust near it much like Hamada or Ogo onsen in the area. While the water is good, it's in no way the main focus of this sento. I've always thought the normal bath and the outdoor bath were the main features.The main normal bath is always piping hot. The design is such that there are many little corners to sit or stretch out in. Sadly the two strong jets are inconveniently placed making them useless for me. They are good for feet or lower back, but not much for the upper back here.There is a large shallow outdoor bath here. It takes up about 40% of the entire bathing area. It's decorated by a waterfall rock feature with real plants. The view is straight up into the sky. In the summer coming around dusk and watching the sky change colors makes sitting around the outdoor bath an absolute treat. You can pass out there for a long time, they even have a sign warning people about staying in the bath for too long. Besides the rotenburo there are two other baths using the hot spring water. A normal one in the back and a bubbling one is placed in a conspicuous spot right in front of the door to the changing room that might deter some bathers.I love the great big ゆ sign in the parking lot along with the hot spring waterfall out by the sidewalk. In side the changing room and small lobby is basic but welcoming. The family that runs the sento seem friendly enough. I've seen people I know and my students here on occasion.
**UPDATE** It seems that everyone’s quit doing this.The regulars like to cover the drain for the outdoor bath making it overflow, you'll notice a small CCTV camera pointed in that area. I like it when they do it (if you go when they do it you'll understand) and I never take the bucket that's covering the drain off, but I'd never put it there myself.
**UPDATE** Futaba is also special for me because it was the first sento I went to, and for a long time the only one I knew of. As an exchange student I would go there at least once a week, but typically more often. It's the closest sento to my house and I still enjoy coming here.
Hot Spring DataSpring Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉Well Temperature: 44.7°CTemperature Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉pH: 7.6pH Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アルカリ性Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性Well Name: Futaba no Yu - 双葉の湯
Hamada Onsen
Hamada Onsen
Japanese Name: 浜田温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 兵庫県西宮市甲子園浜田町１−２７Type: Sento w/ natural hot springWebpage: http://hamada.m78.com/onsen/Price: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: WednesdayHours: 15:00-24:00
ReviewThis is one of my most frequented onsen. The hot spring water has the same metallic smell and taste that Futaba Onsen has. Hamada is much like Futaba in many ways, but unlike it in others. Hamada has a very wide open feel for such a small sento, the same sadly cannot be said for the changing room or lobby however which is crammed in a skinny rectangular space. The owners seems to love the sento and they sell sento related phone straps and key rings in the front. Hamada is very well maintained and the owners do a lot to make sure the onsen looks good on the outside and the inside. The website claims that they only dug a well and had actual hot spring well in 2001 although the sento has been there since 1960. The jet bath and the cold water bath with its waterfall are both highly recommended as are the outdoor baths with the plants and good view of the sky.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Koshien Asahisen no Yu - 甲子園旭泉の湯Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉Type: Alkaline - アルカリ性Well Temperature: 46.3Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
ReviewThis is one of my most frequented onsen. The hot spring water has the same metallic smell and taste that Futaba Onsen has. Hamada is much like Futaba in many ways, but unlike it in others. Hamada has a very wide open feel for such a small sento, the same sadly cannot be said for the changing room or lobby however which is crammed in a skinny rectangular space. The owners seems to love the sento and they sell sento related phone straps and key rings in the front. Hamada is very well maintained and the owners do a lot to make sure the onsen looks good on the outside and the inside. The website claims that they only dug a well and had actual hot spring well in 2001 although the sento has been there since 1960. The jet bath and the cold water bath with its waterfall are both highly recommended as are the outdoor baths with the plants and good view of the sky.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Koshien Asahisen no Yu - 甲子園旭泉の湯Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉Type: Alkaline - アルカリ性Well Temperature: 46.3Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
Imazu Onsen
Imazu Onsen
Japanese Name: 今津温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 兵庫県西宮市今津社前町２−８Type: SentoPrice: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: MondayHours: 15:00-24:00
ReviewImazu Onsen is a recently remodeled sento with a great little outdoor area. Despite it's tight washing area and small baths, Imazu is a fine place to go to. Don't be surprised to find Imazu very busy as every time I've been there it's been nearly full. The jet baths here are great too. They have an underwater massage chair. The only one I've ever seen.
ReviewImazu Onsen is a recently remodeled sento with a great little outdoor area. Despite it's tight washing area and small baths, Imazu is a fine place to go to. Don't be surprised to find Imazu very busy as every time I've been there it's been nearly full. The jet baths here are great too. They have an underwater massage chair. The only one I've ever seen.
Kua Mukogawa
Kua Mukogawa
Japanese Name: クア武庫川Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 兵庫県西宮市笠屋町３−１０Type: Sento (with Hot Spring)Price: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: ThursdayHours: 15:00-24:00
ReviewAt Kua Mukogawa only the outdoor bath is filled with the natural hot spring water, but that doesn't mean the water is bad, there's just less access to it. You can easily tell how good the spring is here by the amount of brown clay like buildup coating the tub, walls and floors--inside and outside. It reminds me a lot like the water at Hanayama or Muso no Yu (Honmachi Onsen) in Wakayama except this spring is much hotter. It's like bathing in very wet clay, you can feel the difference in the density of the spring water compared to the normal baths inside. Don't get this water on your face or lips, it's high salt content will sting. A sign says the temperature will fluctuate and sometimes they have to mix in some cool water, but the bath is normally just straight from the well at it’s natural temperature. Inside, the normal water is crystal clear and refreshing.Recently remodeled, the indoor baths all have brand new fixtures and tile work. The design makes the most of the small space they have with no corner not in use. There is a lack of any good place to sit and cool down because the baths are so packed in there. All the baths are rather small space wise. They do have one of the best large sunflower style jet baths I've been in. The electric bath is one of the large hole types that gives you stronger pulses at a slower interval.Despite being recently renewed everything still has the airs of an old sento. It is interesting to see how a bath house as old as this can stay in business this long and bring in enough money to remodel. I remember going here back in 2006 before the remodel and looking at the large old TVs they have placed in the changing room for the bathers to watch. The various plugs on the back, different from the antenna jacks common in the USA was so interesting to me. Now those ancient TVs have been replaced by sleek new flat screen models. The large metal shelves that once held the old heavy TVs from the ceiling look conspicuously too large for the new flat screens.Because they are there it seems that everyone in the bath is glued to the TV. If you like having something to watch in the water, then it's a good thing. If you dislike the intrusion of TVs into daily life, then you might not like it. Personally I enjoyed it, but thankfully there is no TV in the rotenburo. Some places need to be free from TVs. Also, given Kua's popularity with the locals, it seems that it's always busy. You might have to wait for a spot or squeeze in to the bath you want.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Mukogawa Onsen - 武庫川温泉Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 58.2Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: High - 高張性
ReviewAt Kua Mukogawa only the outdoor bath is filled with the natural hot spring water, but that doesn't mean the water is bad, there's just less access to it. You can easily tell how good the spring is here by the amount of brown clay like buildup coating the tub, walls and floors--inside and outside. It reminds me a lot like the water at Hanayama or Muso no Yu (Honmachi Onsen) in Wakayama except this spring is much hotter. It's like bathing in very wet clay, you can feel the difference in the density of the spring water compared to the normal baths inside. Don't get this water on your face or lips, it's high salt content will sting. A sign says the temperature will fluctuate and sometimes they have to mix in some cool water, but the bath is normally just straight from the well at it’s natural temperature. Inside, the normal water is crystal clear and refreshing.Recently remodeled, the indoor baths all have brand new fixtures and tile work. The design makes the most of the small space they have with no corner not in use. There is a lack of any good place to sit and cool down because the baths are so packed in there. All the baths are rather small space wise. They do have one of the best large sunflower style jet baths I've been in. The electric bath is one of the large hole types that gives you stronger pulses at a slower interval.Despite being recently renewed everything still has the airs of an old sento. It is interesting to see how a bath house as old as this can stay in business this long and bring in enough money to remodel. I remember going here back in 2006 before the remodel and looking at the large old TVs they have placed in the changing room for the bathers to watch. The various plugs on the back, different from the antenna jacks common in the USA was so interesting to me. Now those ancient TVs have been replaced by sleek new flat screen models. The large metal shelves that once held the old heavy TVs from the ceiling look conspicuously too large for the new flat screens.Because they are there it seems that everyone in the bath is glued to the TV. If you like having something to watch in the water, then it's a good thing. If you dislike the intrusion of TVs into daily life, then you might not like it. Personally I enjoyed it, but thankfully there is no TV in the rotenburo. Some places need to be free from TVs. Also, given Kua's popularity with the locals, it seems that it's always busy. You might have to wait for a spot or squeeze in to the bath you want.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Mukogawa Onsen - 武庫川温泉Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 58.2Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: High - 高張性
Kumano no Sato Naruo
Kumano no Sato Naruo
Japanese Name: 熊野の郷 鳴尾Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 兵庫県西宮市鳴尾浜1丁目1番3Type: SupersentoWebpage: http://www.kumano-no-sato.com/index2.htmlPrice: ¥900 (Weekends and Holidays ¥1000)Holiday: NoneHours: 10:00-24:00 (Sunday 7:30-24:00)ReviewThe better of the two Kumano no Sato supersento in Hyogo. There are two distinct baths here that change one with a dark, black Japanese theme, the other with a lighter, brown Thai theme. The hot spring water here is great. All of the materials used in the baths is great. A wonderful bathing experience. My Canadian friend absolutely loves this place. A very rude restaurant manager ruined this place for me.
November 2019 Update: Have not been back since 2017 and not planning on returning. Both Kumano no Sato supersento have issues.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Naruo Hama Onsen 鳴尾浜温泉Type: Simple hot spring - 単純温泉pH: 7.7Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: 44.2Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
November 2019 Update: Have not been back since 2017 and not planning on returning. Both Kumano no Sato supersento have issues.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Naruo Hama Onsen 鳴尾浜温泉Type: Simple hot spring - 単純温泉pH: 7.7Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: 44.2Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
Ogo Onsen
Ogo Onsen
Japanese Name: 大箇温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 〒663-8243 兵庫県西宮市津門大箇町７−１７Type: Sento w/ natural hot springWebpage: http://cvnweb.bai.ne.jp/~okamoto/Price: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: ThursdayHours: 15:30-23:30
ReviewNot only does Ogo onsen offer a great natural hot spring, but it's normal baths and showers have the greatest soft water. I love soft water, it makes you feel slippery, as if you didn't rinse the soap off well enough. The main bath is always piping hot with soft water is more enjoyable for me than the spring water outdoor bath. This isn't to say that the spring is bad. I quite like it. It's similar to Futaba and Hamada near by. The outdoor bath and the jet baths are filled with heated hot spring water. The other baths have normal water that’s been softened.The space used by the baths is quite small but everything is fit in quite well and it actually seems much bigger. You will have to navigate around the other bathers on a busy night however. The outdoor bath is triangle shaped with a nice view of the sky. The main indoor bath is quite deep and always piping hot. They have a great super strong jet that I always use. There are two showers, both cold water, that are great in the summer. The sauna has a separate cold water bath. The only thing missing is a good place to sit outside of the baths. There are two seats outside, but I never find them that comfortable.The bathing areas were remodeled sometime in 2005 or 2006, so much of the tile and the fixtures at the showers are new. There is a small, inch high step going into the larger cold water bath that I have stubbed my toe rather painfully on twice to watch out for.I always have a good time here and I've bumped into people I've know from the bars I go to around Nishinomiya. There are a fair share of yakuza that go to Ogo but they all seem to interact well with the customers. Many of the people here seem to know each other. The front staff is always very nice. In the lobby is a free computer with internet for people to use and a giant TV.This is my place to go on Wednesdays because many other sento in the Nishinomiya are closed on that day.On the first and third Tuesdays there is a rose pedal bath for the girls.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Miyamizu no Yu - 宮水の湯Type: Simple hot spring - 単純温泉Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: 39Type: hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
ReviewNot only does Ogo onsen offer a great natural hot spring, but it's normal baths and showers have the greatest soft water. I love soft water, it makes you feel slippery, as if you didn't rinse the soap off well enough. The main bath is always piping hot with soft water is more enjoyable for me than the spring water outdoor bath. This isn't to say that the spring is bad. I quite like it. It's similar to Futaba and Hamada near by. The outdoor bath and the jet baths are filled with heated hot spring water. The other baths have normal water that’s been softened.The space used by the baths is quite small but everything is fit in quite well and it actually seems much bigger. You will have to navigate around the other bathers on a busy night however. The outdoor bath is triangle shaped with a nice view of the sky. The main indoor bath is quite deep and always piping hot. They have a great super strong jet that I always use. There are two showers, both cold water, that are great in the summer. The sauna has a separate cold water bath. The only thing missing is a good place to sit outside of the baths. There are two seats outside, but I never find them that comfortable.The bathing areas were remodeled sometime in 2005 or 2006, so much of the tile and the fixtures at the showers are new. There is a small, inch high step going into the larger cold water bath that I have stubbed my toe rather painfully on twice to watch out for.I always have a good time here and I've bumped into people I've know from the bars I go to around Nishinomiya. There are a fair share of yakuza that go to Ogo but they all seem to interact well with the customers. Many of the people here seem to know each other. The front staff is always very nice. In the lobby is a free computer with internet for people to use and a giant TV.This is my place to go on Wednesdays because many other sento in the Nishinomiya are closed on that day.On the first and third Tuesdays there is a rose pedal bath for the girls.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Miyamizu no Yu - 宮水の湯Type: Simple hot spring - 単純温泉Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: 39Type: hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
Riso Naruohama
Riso Naruohama
Japanese Name: リゾ鳴尾浜Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 兵庫県西宮市鳴尾浜3-13Access: Bus from Hanshin KoshienType: PoolWebpage: https://www.n-reso.jp/Price: ¥1780 (Summer Period: ¥2000)Holiday: Wednesday (none during the summer holiday)Hours: 10:00-22:00 (Weekends and holidays: 10:00-20:00)ReviewRiso Naruohama is a large pool and water park. There are many large indoor pools with a slide. Outside, there is a large pool, a large hot spring pool, and some more slides plus a grassy area with a view of Osaka Bay.Besides the small, but hot spring water filled, washing and bathing areas, everything is mixed bathing with bathing suits as a requirement. Bathing suits are for sale and rent in the building or you can bring one yourself. They have a bunch of snack carts but everyone sneaks in their own snacks and drinks. I always stash a few beers in my bag for a day here.Riso is a wonderful place to spend the day with your family or friends.Discounted admission is available if you come after 5pm. Coupons for Riso are everywhere. I’ve never gone in paying the normal price.On busy days in the summer the parking lot might fill up quickly. Check the twitter status updates on their homepage for more information.The outdoor pools are only open in the summer.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Kamome no Yu - かもめの湯Type: Simple hot spring - 単純温泉Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: ?Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Kamome no Yu - かもめの湯Type: Simple hot spring - 単純温泉Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: ?Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
Shin-yu
Shin-yu
Japanese Name: 新湯Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 兵庫県西宮市鳴尾町2丁目10-9Access: 10min from Naruo Mukogawajyoshidai-maeType: SentoWebpage: http://a-shinyu.com/Price: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: FridayHours: 14:00-23:30
ReviewFairly basic sento with a great family friendly atmosphere. Nice strong steam sauna in the back. Good deep bath. One of the few simple sento left in Nishinomiya.
ReviewFairly basic sento with a great family friendly atmosphere. Nice strong steam sauna in the back. Good deep bath. One of the few simple sento left in Nishinomiya.
Ebisu no Yu
Ebisu no Yu
Formally: Yamato no Yu ImazuJapanese Name: えびすの湯Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 兵庫県西宮市今津出在家町7番40号Access: 10min from Hanshin or Hankyu ImazuType: SupersentoWebpage: http://imazu19.jp/Price: ¥750 (Weekends and holidays ¥850)Holiday: Second Tuesday of the monthHours: 10:00-26:00
ReviewI haven't been to Ebisu no Yu since it became Ebisu no Yu. After the change from Yamato no Yu it seems the hot spring well has been closed off, it wasn't a good spring anyhow. The prices have also risen. So now they have higher prices, no natural hot spring, and the same middling baths. That's why I haven't been back.
~~ Former Review ~~Part of the Yamato-no-Yu chain. This is one of the two supersento in Nishinomiya. Always busy, the sometimes packed bating area here gets heavily used and is sometimes not as clean as I wished it was. There is a decent outdoor bath, but it’s not one of my favorites. We only come here if we are feeling lazy and don’t want to travel out of the city.
Former Hot Spring Data - Well ClosedWell Name: Yamato Onsen - やまと温泉Type: Sodium chloride carbonated spring - ナトリウム−塩化物・炭酸水素塩泉pH: ?Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 45.5Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
ReviewI haven't been to Ebisu no Yu since it became Ebisu no Yu. After the change from Yamato no Yu it seems the hot spring well has been closed off, it wasn't a good spring anyhow. The prices have also risen. So now they have higher prices, no natural hot spring, and the same middling baths. That's why I haven't been back.
~~ Former Review ~~Part of the Yamato-no-Yu chain. This is one of the two supersento in Nishinomiya. Always busy, the sometimes packed bating area here gets heavily used and is sometimes not as clean as I wished it was. There is a decent outdoor bath, but it’s not one of my favorites. We only come here if we are feeling lazy and don’t want to travel out of the city.
Former Hot Spring Data - Well ClosedWell Name: Yamato Onsen - やまと温泉Type: Sodium chloride carbonated spring - ナトリウム−塩化物・炭酸水素塩泉pH: ?Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 45.5Type: Extra hot spring - 高温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
*Closed* JOY Nishinomiya
*Closed* JOY Nishinomiya
Japanese Name: JOY西宮Prefecture: HyogoCity: NishinomiyaAddress: 兵庫県西宮市屋敷町２−６Type: Sento
Review*CLOSED* A very nice sento in an area with no other sento near by. The third floor rotenburo is filled with spring water has a great view of the sky. Very sad that this lovely sento is now closed.
Review*CLOSED* A very nice sento in an area with no other sento near by. The third floor rotenburo is filled with spring water has a great view of the sky. Very sad that this lovely sento is now closed.