Ureshino Onsen, in southwestern Saga, is celebrated as one of Japan’s three great ‘bihada-no-yu’ — hot springs renowned for beautifying the skin. Its waters are rich in sodium bicarbonate, giving them a distinctively smooth, silky, slightly slippery feel that softens and cleanses the skin, leaving it noticeably smooth after a soak. A relaxed hot-spring resort town has grown up around the springs, lined with ryokan, public baths and footbaths where you can sample the famous waters. Ureshino is also one of Japan’s noted green-tea producing areas, and the town celebrates its tea heritage — you can even find hot-spring ‘yudofu’ (tofu simmered in the alkaline spring water until meltingly soft) and tea-themed treats. Silky-watered and welcoming, Ureshino is a lovely place to relax in Saga.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Ureshino, Saga |
| Hours | Ryokan/baths vary; footbaths daytime |
| Admission | Baths vary; footbaths often free |
| Time needed | 1 hour to overnight |
| Best time | Year-round |
What to Do
- Silky ‘skin-beautifying’ hot-spring waters.
- Ryokan, public baths and free footbaths.
- Hot-spring yudofu (silky simmered tofu).
- Ureshino green tea and tea-themed treats.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Takeo Onsen nearby.
- Pair with Arita porcelain in the region.
- Read our Saga overview .
Getting There
- By bus/car: to Ureshino Onsen town.
- By shinkansen: the Nishi-Kyushu line serves Ureshino-Onsen.
Tips
Soak to enjoy the famous silky, skin-smoothing waters, and try the local hot-spring yudofu, tofu simmered in the alkaline water until meltingly soft. Sample the free public footbaths even on a short visit, buy some Ureshino green tea as a souvenir, and stay overnight at a ryokan to combine the baths with a kaiseki dinner.
