Nada Ward - 灘区
Fuji Onsen
Fuji Onsen
Japanese Name: ふじ温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: Kobe - NadaAddress: 兵庫県神戸市灘区篠原南町1-6-17Access: 5 min walk from Hankyu RokkoType: SentoPrice: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: FridayHours: 11:00-24:00
ReviewYou can see this sento, and it's giant pile of wood, quite easily as from the Hankyu train as it leaves Rokko station heading to Sannomiya. I've seen it so many times, but never went to it. I should have went here sooner. Great selection of baths including a carbonated bath that was just as good as some of the ones I've been to in twice as expensive supersento. The pile of wood is for the wood burning water heater the sento uses. Most of the wood appears to be salvaged from old houses putting it to a good use.
The massive pile of wood the owner has amassed along the side of his building makes this sento very easy to spot from the train and it is just a feat in itself.
Update December 2020:After leaving Rokko station heading towards Sannomiya, look out the windows towards Osaka Bay. I am sure you will see a building on a corner with an absolute unit of wood. This is Fuji Onsen. I do not know where they get all this wood, but they have a ton of it and they burn it to make one of the best sento in Kobe. The water quality here is top notch. There is an outdoor bath with radon, a luke warm carbonated bath, and a steam sauna. Everything one would want from a sento or supersento minus a true natural hot spring. The changing room is large and airy. My only complaint might be that the cold water bath is a bit small and oddly shaped, but it's a small complaint. Super easy access from the Hankyu line also which is rare. Check this one out you will like it!
Warning: This sento has a firm no tattoo rule.Last Visit: December 2019
ReviewYou can see this sento, and it's giant pile of wood, quite easily as from the Hankyu train as it leaves Rokko station heading to Sannomiya. I've seen it so many times, but never went to it. I should have went here sooner. Great selection of baths including a carbonated bath that was just as good as some of the ones I've been to in twice as expensive supersento. The pile of wood is for the wood burning water heater the sento uses. Most of the wood appears to be salvaged from old houses putting it to a good use.
The massive pile of wood the owner has amassed along the side of his building makes this sento very easy to spot from the train and it is just a feat in itself.
Update December 2020:After leaving Rokko station heading towards Sannomiya, look out the windows towards Osaka Bay. I am sure you will see a building on a corner with an absolute unit of wood. This is Fuji Onsen. I do not know where they get all this wood, but they have a ton of it and they burn it to make one of the best sento in Kobe. The water quality here is top notch. There is an outdoor bath with radon, a luke warm carbonated bath, and a steam sauna. Everything one would want from a sento or supersento minus a true natural hot spring. The changing room is large and airy. My only complaint might be that the cold water bath is a bit small and oddly shaped, but it's a small complaint. Super easy access from the Hankyu line also which is rare. Check this one out you will like it!
Warning: This sento has a firm no tattoo rule.Last Visit: December 2019
Nada Onsen Rokkomichi
Nada Onsen Rokkomichi
Japanese Name: 灘温泉 六甲道点Prefecture: HyogoCity: Kobe - NadaAddress: 兵庫県神戸市灘区備後町３−１−４Access: 5 min walk from JR RokkomichiType: Sento w/ natural hot springWebpage: http://www.nadaonsen.jp/rokko_index.htmlPrice: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: Second Thursday in March, June, September, and DecemberHours: 6:00-25:00
ReviewOne of the most convenient, refreshing, beautiful sento around. A great place to have your first sento experience. In fact, this was the first sento I took my sister to. Incredibly small, yet the size isn’t very bothersome. Nada onsen has one of the best springs in Kobe. Despite its lukewarm temperature the spring will make you feel hot from the inside. The carbonation is also great for relieving stress.
The baths are well designed big and relaxing. Nada Onsen’s two pitfalls come from the size. First the showers are tightly spaced and close to the baths so one must be careful not to spray the bathers. Second, the lukewarm spring bath can only fit 2~3 people and it’s very popular. You might have to wait your turn to get into this one. Despite these pitfalls this is one of my most frequented onsen due to its location, baths, and water.
Nada Onsen also has free body soap and shampoo, something quite rare for a sento at this price. There are also a few other wonderful things to look out for if you go here: the charcoal filtered drinking water in the changing room is immensely refreshing after a long soak, and the illustrated manner posters are quite funny.
Last Visit: February 2020
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Nada Onsen - 灘温泉Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉pH: 7Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 31.9Type: Warm spring - 低温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
ReviewOne of the most convenient, refreshing, beautiful sento around. A great place to have your first sento experience. In fact, this was the first sento I took my sister to. Incredibly small, yet the size isn’t very bothersome. Nada onsen has one of the best springs in Kobe. Despite its lukewarm temperature the spring will make you feel hot from the inside. The carbonation is also great for relieving stress.
The baths are well designed big and relaxing. Nada Onsen’s two pitfalls come from the size. First the showers are tightly spaced and close to the baths so one must be careful not to spray the bathers. Second, the lukewarm spring bath can only fit 2~3 people and it’s very popular. You might have to wait your turn to get into this one. Despite these pitfalls this is one of my most frequented onsen due to its location, baths, and water.
Nada Onsen also has free body soap and shampoo, something quite rare for a sento at this price. There are also a few other wonderful things to look out for if you go here: the charcoal filtered drinking water in the changing room is immensely refreshing after a long soak, and the illustrated manner posters are quite funny.
Last Visit: February 2020
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Nada Onsen - 灘温泉Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉pH: 7Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 31.9Type: Warm spring - 低温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
Nada Onsen Suidosuji
Nada Onsen Suidosuji
Japanese Name: 灘温泉水道筋店Prefecture: HyogoCity: Kobe - NadaAddress: 神戸市灘区水道筋１丁目２６番地Access: 10 min walk from Hankyu OjikoenType: Sento w/ natural hot springWebpage: http://www.nadaonsen.jp/suidou_index.htmlPrice: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: First Thursday in March, June, September, and DecemberHours: 05:00-24:00
ReviewI love the water here it's cool, but it warms you on the inside. If you go into the lukewarm gensen bath your body will soon be covered in bubbles from the natural carbonation in the water. It's like bathing in metallic smelling San Pellegrino. One of the most relaxing baths ever. The electric bath is just strong enough, the jets positioned well, the waterfall bath is strong. Everything is just perfect. The rotenburo, and the other two spring water baths are well built from thick stone. Large stones also are sunk into the ground to make walkways in the bathing area.Throughout the buildings there are lots of sometimes funny signs promoting good manners. There are many little extras here like the free soap and the chilled water in the changing room. Sadly, Nada is often too crowded. The straight spring water bath is like finding a place in a sardine can. If you go here when it's busy the water might not be as clean as it could be and you might have to wait to find a spot in your favorite bath.While this place is good anytime, I recommend going on a hot afternoon. The lukewarm straight spring water bath might be packed, but you'll know why when you get in.Parking in the lot next to the onsen is free if you get your ticket validated inside. But good luck getting your car to the parking lot. It’s a maze of tight one-way streets to get to it from Yamate-kansen.
Last Visit: February 2020
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Nada Onsen - 灘温泉Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉pH: 7Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 35.2Type: Hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
ReviewI love the water here it's cool, but it warms you on the inside. If you go into the lukewarm gensen bath your body will soon be covered in bubbles from the natural carbonation in the water. It's like bathing in metallic smelling San Pellegrino. One of the most relaxing baths ever. The electric bath is just strong enough, the jets positioned well, the waterfall bath is strong. Everything is just perfect. The rotenburo, and the other two spring water baths are well built from thick stone. Large stones also are sunk into the ground to make walkways in the bathing area.Throughout the buildings there are lots of sometimes funny signs promoting good manners. There are many little extras here like the free soap and the chilled water in the changing room. Sadly, Nada is often too crowded. The straight spring water bath is like finding a place in a sardine can. If you go here when it's busy the water might not be as clean as it could be and you might have to wait to find a spot in your favorite bath.While this place is good anytime, I recommend going on a hot afternoon. The lukewarm straight spring water bath might be packed, but you'll know why when you get in.Parking in the lot next to the onsen is free if you get your ticket validated inside. But good luck getting your car to the parking lot. It’s a maze of tight one-way streets to get to it from Yamate-kansen.
Last Visit: February 2020
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Nada Onsen - 灘温泉Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉pH: 7Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 35.2Type: Hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
Ouchi Onsen
Ouchi Onsen
Japanese Name: 大内温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: Nada WardAddress: 兵庫県神戸市灘区大内通２−１−１Closest Station: Maya Station / 摩耶駅Category: SentoPrice: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: WednesdayHours: 14:30-23:00Review:Some sento are just basic. This is a basic sento. The tiles are plain and monotone. The design is utilitarian. It is very easy to understand and enjoy. There is a sauna that does not need any extra fee, but please do wipe yourself off before going in. The cold bath is small and when you get in a huge deluge of water overflows onto the floor. A lovely feeling and sound. Surprisingly, it refills very quickly. The electric bath is on the hard side of the scale but still comfortable. The owner was pleasant. It is a sento. I enjoyed it.Visit Date: February 2020
Rokko Otomezuka Onsen
Rokko Otomezuka Onsen
Japanese Name: 六甲おとめ塚温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: Kobe - NadaAddress: 兵庫県神戸市灘区徳井町３丁目４−１４Type: Sento w/ natural hot springPrice: Hyogo Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: NoneHours: 06:00-25:00
ReviewDon't let the green appearance of the water here fool you, the water is crystal clear--the green comes from the tiles used the baths. This is one of the most complex, for lack of a better word, onsen that I have bathed in. It has a very cleansing quality to it while also feeling very medicinal to the point of being feeling unnatural. I doubt drinking this onsen would be OK given the trace amounts of arsenic and lead in the water. Arsenic, while fatal if ingested, is found in many of the world's most famous hot springs and good for you in small doses in a bath. While in the water it felt a little slippery, but the real magic of this onsen really became apparent after I dried myself off and put on my clothes. I felt great! So clean and refreshed.The baths at Otomezuka are all built into odd shapes offering lots of little corners to inhabit, but they also don't have many good places to get in and out. Sadly, they are quite small given the popularity of this sento. The sauna is also very small. While hot and enjoyable it was a bit overpriced at ¥380 yen. I enjoy the small, odd shapes of the baths. It makes the experience more like an onsen playground, something common in the Yuasobi group of sento, but I can see how people used to the wider baths found in most supersento might dislike it. Masurao no Yu seems more packed in than the wider and open feeling Kagura no Yu side.Otomezuka's three floor design is common among many sento in Kansai. The jet baths and some extra showers are placed on the mid-level between the changing room and the larger bathing area. Each side of this onsen has a different feel; the Masuro no Yu side being more eclectic with abstract tile work, and the Kagura no Yu side having a more sedated traditional Japanese feel. Architecturally speaking this building is a living relic of a Japan that has long since changed. Some of the building is a little worse for wear with its age showing through, but not to the point of distraction in the slightest.This is a local place to the core. More so than the smaller Nada onsen, which I can see attracting many people from the newly built high rise apartment buildings nearby. Otomezuka seems to attract the people who have lived in this neighborhood for years. Being a foreigner I always get a few double takes here from the local costumers, but I've always felt invited and relaxed. There is also a food counter here with a few great deals. Beer and a snack for ¥500. Also, CHEESE FRIES! Yes, cheese fries and a beer after a soak. Could life get any better?
Update February 2020: I have always been on the left side of the bath recently so it was fun to get the right side this time. I forgot how cool the outdoor natural hot spring and cold water bath on this side was. Neat, 80's squares and angles are a good counterpoint to the natural stone of the other side. I went to here as my last bath to complete the Kobe sento stamp rally and was happy that I did.
Last Visit: February 2020
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Shojyo no Yu - 乙女の湯Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉pH: 7.5Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: 41.1Type: hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
ReviewDon't let the green appearance of the water here fool you, the water is crystal clear--the green comes from the tiles used the baths. This is one of the most complex, for lack of a better word, onsen that I have bathed in. It has a very cleansing quality to it while also feeling very medicinal to the point of being feeling unnatural. I doubt drinking this onsen would be OK given the trace amounts of arsenic and lead in the water. Arsenic, while fatal if ingested, is found in many of the world's most famous hot springs and good for you in small doses in a bath. While in the water it felt a little slippery, but the real magic of this onsen really became apparent after I dried myself off and put on my clothes. I felt great! So clean and refreshed.The baths at Otomezuka are all built into odd shapes offering lots of little corners to inhabit, but they also don't have many good places to get in and out. Sadly, they are quite small given the popularity of this sento. The sauna is also very small. While hot and enjoyable it was a bit overpriced at ¥380 yen. I enjoy the small, odd shapes of the baths. It makes the experience more like an onsen playground, something common in the Yuasobi group of sento, but I can see how people used to the wider baths found in most supersento might dislike it. Masurao no Yu seems more packed in than the wider and open feeling Kagura no Yu side.Otomezuka's three floor design is common among many sento in Kansai. The jet baths and some extra showers are placed on the mid-level between the changing room and the larger bathing area. Each side of this onsen has a different feel; the Masuro no Yu side being more eclectic with abstract tile work, and the Kagura no Yu side having a more sedated traditional Japanese feel. Architecturally speaking this building is a living relic of a Japan that has long since changed. Some of the building is a little worse for wear with its age showing through, but not to the point of distraction in the slightest.This is a local place to the core. More so than the smaller Nada onsen, which I can see attracting many people from the newly built high rise apartment buildings nearby. Otomezuka seems to attract the people who have lived in this neighborhood for years. Being a foreigner I always get a few double takes here from the local costumers, but I've always felt invited and relaxed. There is also a food counter here with a few great deals. Beer and a snack for ¥500. Also, CHEESE FRIES! Yes, cheese fries and a beer after a soak. Could life get any better?
Update February 2020: I have always been on the left side of the bath recently so it was fun to get the right side this time. I forgot how cool the outdoor natural hot spring and cold water bath on this side was. Neat, 80's squares and angles are a good counterpoint to the natural stone of the other side. I went to here as my last bath to complete the Kobe sento stamp rally and was happy that I did.
Last Visit: February 2020
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Shojyo no Yu - 乙女の湯Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉pH: 7.5Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: 41.1Type: hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
*Closed* Asahi-Yu
*Closed* Asahi-Yu
Japanese Name: 朝日湯Prefecture: HyogoCity: Kobe - NadaAddress: 兵庫県神戸市灘区大石東町４丁目５−１４Type: Sento
ReviewThis is a very small sento, despite looking larger from outside. The entrance and changing rooms are both quite small but manageable. The baths were simple but well kept. The night I was there some yakuza guys were there talking about dealing with the police and some sort of car accident. Small neighborhood sento are fun for those experiences.
ReviewThis is a very small sento, despite looking larger from outside. The entrance and changing rooms are both quite small but manageable. The baths were simple but well kept. The night I was there some yakuza guys were there talking about dealing with the police and some sort of car accident. Small neighborhood sento are fun for those experiences.
*Closed* Maya Onsen
*Closed* Maya Onsen
Japanese Name: まや温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: Kobe - NadaAddress: 兵庫県神戸市灘区天城通７丁目３Type: Sento
ReviewMaya Onsen is a basic sento with a few things making it noteworthy.Maya has the basic centerpiece of a waterfall that fills the electric bath and flows down to the shallow bath and finally into the deep bath, something that is common in many sentos in the Keihanshin area. The bath isn't the high point however, the sauna is. Unusually free of an extra charge the sauna is well used and showing it, yet clean enough. It was set to a hot 98 degrees. Great for a cold winter day, but a bit too hot for summer heat. The accompanying cold water bath is only big enough for one person but good and cold. Thankfully, it refills fast which is good considering how many sweaty bodies are going into it. Going in you'll always end up flooding the floor in front of the bath making a great rushing water sound. The small, but relaxing rotenburo has space enough for some sunbathing.The walk up to this small sento is a bit tough from the station, but an enjoyable one and worth it to check out this lovely neighborhood sento.
ReviewMaya Onsen is a basic sento with a few things making it noteworthy.Maya has the basic centerpiece of a waterfall that fills the electric bath and flows down to the shallow bath and finally into the deep bath, something that is common in many sentos in the Keihanshin area. The bath isn't the high point however, the sauna is. Unusually free of an extra charge the sauna is well used and showing it, yet clean enough. It was set to a hot 98 degrees. Great for a cold winter day, but a bit too hot for summer heat. The accompanying cold water bath is only big enough for one person but good and cold. Thankfully, it refills fast which is good considering how many sweaty bodies are going into it. Going in you'll always end up flooding the floor in front of the bath making a great rushing water sound. The small, but relaxing rotenburo has space enough for some sunbathing.The walk up to this small sento is a bit tough from the station, but an enjoyable one and worth it to check out this lovely neighborhood sento.
*Closed* Mirume Onsen
*Closed* Mirume Onsen
Japanese Name: みるめ温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: Kobe - NadaAddress: 兵庫県神戸市灘区岩屋北町２丁目２−５Type: Sento (with Hot Spring)
Review*Closed* In a beautiful residential area of Kobe next to the Hanshin line Mirume Onsen was lovely experience. The staff and customers were very welcoming and sweet. After bathing in the changing room I had a little conversation with two elderly men who commented that it was odd to see foreigners and young people at the onsen. Sadly, this onsen is now closed.
Review*Closed* In a beautiful residential area of Kobe next to the Hanshin line Mirume Onsen was lovely experience. The staff and customers were very welcoming and sweet. After bathing in the changing room I had a little conversation with two elderly men who commented that it was odd to see foreigners and young people at the onsen. Sadly, this onsen is now closed.
*Closed* Shinohara Onsen
*Closed* Shinohara Onsen
Japanese Name: 篠原温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: Kobe - NadaAddress: 兵庫県神戸市灘区篠原南町４丁目１−１Type: Sento (with Hot Spring)
ReviewRemodeled since I went here first in 2005. The baths are simple and very tightly fit into the onsen’s small area. A very typical Kobe sento.
Top photo is the original facade, below is the remodeled facade.
ReviewRemodeled since I went here first in 2005. The baths are simple and very tightly fit into the onsen’s small area. A very typical Kobe sento.
Top photo is the original facade, below is the remodeled facade.
*Closed* Yamato Onsen
*Closed* Yamato Onsen
Japanese Name: 大和温泉Prefecture: HyogoCity: Kobe - NadaAddress: 兵庫県神戸市灘区大和町２丁目４−１２Type: Sento
ReviewThis is the real local sento in an area of Kobe with many destnation sento (which also have natural hot springs). It has a real local feel to it, but it wasn't dismissive or unfriendly. The kids in the baths smiled and waved to me. I loved the super hot steam bath. Great place.
ReviewThis is the real local sento in an area of Kobe with many destnation sento (which also have natural hot springs). It has a real local feel to it, but it wasn't dismissive or unfriendly. The kids in the baths smiled and waved to me. I loved the super hot steam bath. Great place.