[Access] About a 5-minute walk from JR Agatsuma Line Kanashima Station
[Fee] 400 yen

Kanashima is such a tiny station; when you step off the small station building, the only thing you really see is the sign for this hot spring. That’s Kanashima Onsen’s Fuki-no-yu. It feels like a real community hub, almost like a gathering spot for the local grandmas and grandpas. The soft, brownish water—classified as a calcium-sodium chloride spring—has that distinct metallic iron scent and taste. I heard they take the source water, which is around 30-something degrees Celsius, and heat it up slightly. Since it’s so hot this time of year, being able to bathe directly in the cool source water would be a real luxury (haha).
The water has a bit of a “squeaky” feel while you’re in it, but your skin feels wonderfully hydrated after getting out. The small talk among the ladies in the waiting area is actually pretty funny—it has a very warm, fuzzy vibe. I overheard some regulars who often visit various onsens along the Agatsuma Line saying that they always end up coming back here because it’s so relaxing and the water is just better.
It looks like you can drink the water, too. When I tried a mouthful of the lukewarm source water, the taste of iron filled my mouth. Being lukewarm, it felt a bit heavy and wasn’t exactly what I’d call delicious.

There isn’t much in the surrounding area, and it’s not “picturesque” in a traditional sense, but seeing people working in the fields wearing straw hats, hearing the cicadas, and smelling the summer grass… it all feels strangely nostalgic. It’s the kind of place that isn’t too crowded, and I really hope it stays this peaceful and laid-back forever.
[Access] About a 5-minute walk from JR Agatsuma Line Kanashima Station
[Fee] 400 yen