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Soak in beneficial hot springs and let time slip by in this popular onsen town
Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Located in the north of Kumamoto Prefecture, Ueki is an onsen town that has been welcoming visitors to its hot springs for over 130 years. With a clear river flowing by and plenty of places to stay, Ueki Hot Springs has garnered acclaim for its elaborate hospitality.
Its waters, which are popular for their characteristically alkaline quality, are silky to the touch and are said to have a beautifying effect on the skin. Each lodging and bath facility features different water qualities and unique amenities, so why not try a “hot spring crawl” and experience them all?
Depending on the facility, there are also rock baths, open-air baths, Thai massage services, utaseyu baths (with a stream of hot water falling down onto your shoulders like a small waterfall), jet baths, and saunas, as well as inns where you can enjoy a meal while soaking your feet in the footbaths. Three facilities have a total of four onsen sommeliers on staff to help you learn more about onsen.
Take a break from your everyday life and let time slip by at Ueki Hot Springs.
How to get there
From Hakata Station, take the Kyushu Shinkansen to Kumamoto Station (about 40 minutes). From Kumamoto Station, take the tram or bus to Sakura-machi Bus Terminal (about 10 minutes), and then take the bus to the Ueki Onsen Iriguchi (Entrance) stop. Ueki Onsen is a 20-minute walk from the bus stop.
If driving, the onsen is about 50 minutes from JR Kumamoto Station or 8 minutes from the Ueki Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway.
124-1 Yonetsuka, Uekimachi, Kita-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto-ken
