Kaike Onsen, on the coast near Yonago just over the border from Matsue, is unusual: its saline, mineral-rich hot water was discovered in the late nineteenth century bubbling up in the shallows of the sea itself. Today it is a seaside resort where a line of large ryokan and hotels faces a long sandy beach on the Sea of Japan, so bathers can soak looking straight out over the water at sunset. Inland rises the near-perfect volcanic cone of Mount Daisen, the highest mountain in the San’in region, and the salty waters are said to warm the body deeply — a very different mood from the mountain and riverside onsen of the interior.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Yonago area, Shimane border |
| Hours | Ryokan and day-use baths vary |
| Admission | Day-use baths vary; overnight from ryokan rates |
| Time needed | Half day or overnight |
| Best time | Summer for the beach; sunsets year-round |
What to See
- A seaside hot spring discovered bubbling in the shallows.
- Resort ryokan facing a long Sea of Japan beach.
- Sunset soaks looking straight out over the water.
- The volcanic cone of Mount Daisen inland.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with a climb or drive up Mount Daisen.
- Pair with Matsue and Lake Shinji nearby.
- Read our Shimane overview .
Getting There
- By train + bus: JR to Yonago Station, then a bus to Kaike Onsen.
- By car: easy from Matsue or the San’in coast road.
Tips
Come for the seaside setting rather than a traditional townscape — this is a resort strip of larger hotels facing the beach, so choose a ryokan with a sea-facing bath for the sunset soak, which is the highlight. It pairs naturally with Mount Daisen inland for a mountain-and-sea day, and the beach itself is popular in summer.
