Kamigata Hot Spring Ikkyu

Kamigata Onsen Ikkyu is a simple hot spring (tanjun onsen) with free-flowing source water (gensen kakenagashi). “Gensen kakenagashi” means the overflowing water is not reused but drained as-is, so the mineral content is not diluted and it is not disinfected with chlorine—one reason it is so popular. A simple hot spring contains a well-balanced mix of minerals and is known for its soft water, which is said to help with beautiful skin and nerve pain. At Ikkyu you can enjoy two types of baths: “Ki no Yu,” featuring a barrel bath made with luxurious Kōya-maki (Japanese umbrella pine), which has an even more premium feel than hinoki cypress, and “Ishi no Yu,” where rocks and stones are boldly arranged to resemble a natural landscape. The baths switch by day: on even-numbered dates, men use “Ki no Yu” and women use “Ishi no Yu,” and on odd-numbered dates it’s reversed—so visiting two days in a row could be even more fun. Other highlights include the world’s first ultrafine mist sauna, one of the largest open-air baths in Kansai, and a medicinal bath held every Wednesday. Located near USJ and open late into the night, it’s also a great place to stop by after a day of fun.