Enjoy the starry night sky and hot springs of Yamagata at the "Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Bath" (nighttime open-air bath)

  • Yamagata
  • Sightseeing
In Yamagata, there is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, "Zao Onsen", which is known as a hot spring for creating beautiful women. It is a famous hot spring, so many of you may have already been there. We recommend it to such repeaters! Why don't you soak in the "Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Bath" next? You can spend a luxurious time soaking in the hot spring water while listening to the murmuring of a mountain stream and the chirping of wild birds in the Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Bath, which is a public bathhouse. In this article, we would like to share with you the charms of the Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Bath, which is not easily experienced in ryokan hot springs.
Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Bath

Characteristics of Zao Hot Spring

Zao Onsen, which has been in operation since 1900, is known as the "hot spring for creating beautiful women. The reason for this is that it is a highly acidic sulfur spring.

Sulfur spring water is said to increase the amount of water in the body, rejuvenate the skin and blood vessels, promote blood circulation, sterilize the epidermis, and strengthen the skin. It is also sometimes called "hot water without soap" because the hot water's ingredients wash away oil from the skin. The rejuvenating, sterilizing, and skin beautifying effects on the skin and blood vessels make it a "hot spring for creating a beautiful woman.
Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Bath in Autumn

What is Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Bath?

The "Zao Onsen Large Open-air Bath" is a public bathhouse where visitors can drop in with nothing and enjoy the magnificent nature of Zao. This large open-air bath can accommodate about 200 men and women, and is a great place to stop by when you come to Zao. It is unique to the open-air baths in the highlands of Zao! You can soak in the hot spring water while feeling the cool air. In this magnificent natural setting, you will feel a different charm from that of the public bathhouses and ryokan hot springs in the hot spring resort area.
Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Bath surrounded by nature
The guard stand and changing rooms are built without using nails, and are filled with the warmth of wood, the workmanship of craftsmen. After passing through the building, the hot spring spreads out before your eyes. The bathtub is made of natural stone. The water is highly acidic, so it is easy to remove grease without scrubbing your body. The water is highly acidic, so even if you do not scrub your body thoroughly, the oils will easily be washed off. Be careful not to take a long bath. Please note that there are no showers in the large open-air baths at Zao Onsen, and soap and shampoo are not available.
A building overflowing with the warmth of wood

How to use the hot spring in the "Zao style

Zao Onsen is a highly acidic spring, and its effects are outstanding, but please note the following.
The water feels hot due to the nature of the spring, so be sure to pour the hot water over your body.
Zao Onsen is easy to remove grease, so do not scrub too hard.
The hot spring water can be very painful if it gets into your eyes.
You cannot drink the hot spring water.
The hot spring water is highly acidic and will corrode precious metals. Please be sure to remove all jewelry.
If hot spring water gets on your clothes, it will damage them. Wipe your body thoroughly after bathing.
Due to the quality of the spring water, the floor and the bathtub may become slippery. Please be careful not to fall.

Details of Zao Onsen Grand Open-Air Hot Spring

The spa will be open from April 20, 2024.
■Hours
Weekdays 9:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
Weekends and holidays 9:30-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
■Fees
Adults: 800 yen Children (age 1 to 12): 400 yen

Large open-air baths at night

Regular hours are 17:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on weekends and holidays, but special evening hours are available only on holidays from May to October. How about soaking in the hot springs while feeling the clear night breeze in the great outdoors and admiring the starlit sky with a gently lit candelabrum? The illuminated hot springs are fantastic. You can enjoy a different atmosphere from that of the daytime hot springs.
Special nighttime open-air baths for FY2024

Details of the "Night time open baths

■Dates
May 25
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
July 6, 13, 14, 20, 27
August 3, 10-14, 17, 24, 31
September 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28
October 5, 12, 13
■Time
18:30 - 21:00 (last admission 20 (last admission 20:30)
■Fare
Adults: 1,000 yen Children (age 1 to 12): 500 yen
*Discount coupons and regular overnight special bathing coupons are not valid.
Large open-air baths at night

Enjoy the starry sky and Zao Onsen Hot Spring

Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Baths "Special Nighttime Open-air Baths" are available to enjoy hot spring baths under the magnificent nature and starlit sky. I've been to enough onsen ryokan! I want to enjoy an open-air bath unlike any other! If you are a hot spring connoisseur, why not visit the Zao Onsen Grand Open-air Baths? You are sure to have a special experience.
For train + accommodation "Yamagata Area" reservations, please contact [ JR East View Dynamic Rail Package ]
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