[Access] About 80 minutes by bus from Isahaya Station
[Website] Unzen Shinyu Onsen Hall – Unzen Tourist Information Site

I had work in Sasebo city on Saturday and couldn’t return to Hamamatsu the same day, so I decided to stay in Sasebo overnight and go back on Sunday. Since I had some time, I thought it would be nice to explore Unzen. I’ve been to Nagasaki several times but never visited Unzen, and the idea of soaking in hot springs near Unzen Jigoku (Unzen Hell) sounded perfect.

Hidden behind the Unzen Jigoku parking lot is the communal bathhouse, Shinyu Onsen-kan. While people were enjoying a morning walk near the Unzen jigoku, this area was quiet, making me wonder if the place was even open.

I slid the door open then found a ticket machine and separate entrances for men and women. After purchasing the ticket, I handed it over to an elderly man sitting in a booth, much like a traditional bathhouse attendant. Parking cost 500 yen, but there was no one outside to collect the fee. When I asked if I could pay here, the man kindly told me I could park for free in one of their four managed parking lots. I also bought a towel since I hadn’t brought one.

The changing room had wooden lockers, and to my pleasant surprise, jazz music was playing softly. It added a lovely touch, possibly a personal choice of the bathhouse attendant.

The bath was filled with light emerald-green onsen water, typical of a communal bathhouse. The tub was surprisingly deep, with a low seat at the edge. The onsen water was quite hot, with a refreshing, smooth texture. When I tasted it, it was intensely sour, surprising me with its acidity. A sign outside indicated it was a sulfuric acid hot spring, even approved for drinking. I tried a small sip, and it definitely felt potent. After wandering around Unzen Jigoku and sweating, this bath felt incredible.

The excellent quality of the hot spring is thanks to its proximity to Unzen Jigoku. I took a stroll around the jigoku before soaking.

Steam billows from various spots across the vast land, with a strong smell of sulfur in the air. Depending on the wind direction, the steam could obscure my vision, even fogging up my glasses completely. There were areas where the water seemed to be boiling, and others where mud was bubbling up like a miniature volcano. The gurgling of hot water was reminiscent of the sound of a kettle boiling nearby, adding to the unique atmosphere.