Arashiyama Onsen: Fufu no Yu or Tenzan no Yu?

Updated September 27, 2026. Prices and facility details below were checked against the baths’ current official pages.

Finishing near Togetsukyo Bridge and taking the Hankyu line? Fufu no Yu is a one-minute walk from the station, so it works well for a quick soak before you leave. For a longer visit, take the Randen to Tenzan no Yu in Sagano. Its larger bath and sauna areas, restaurant, rest spaces and same-day re-entry make it easier to spend a few hours there.

On weekends and public holidays, admission for an adult is ¥1,300 at either bath. On weekdays, Fufu no Yu is ¥1,100 and Tenzan no Yu is ¥1,200. The price difference is small; where you are and how long you want to stay matter more.

At a glance

The suggested visit lengths are only planning estimates. Both facilities prohibit tattoos, and neither is a safe choice if you need a private bath: Tenzan says it has none, while Fufu’s current public pages do not confirm a reservable day-use bath.

Fufu no Yu: a good last stop before the Hankyu train

Fufu no Yu is next to Hankyu Arashiyama Station, not every station called “Arashiyama.” From Randen Arashiyama, allow about 10 minutes on foot; from JR Saga-Arashiyama, it is roughly 20 minutes. That JR walk can feel long after a day out, especially with young children, older travellers, luggage or bad weather.

Hours: noon–10 p.m.; last admission 9:30 p.m. No regular closing day is listed.

An adult without either towel pays ¥1,500 on a weekday or ¥1,700 on a weekend or public holiday.

For a tired pair of legs, the short walk back to the Hankyu platform may be more valuable than a longer list of baths. Fufu is also the simpler fit if you have already visited the bamboo grove, temples and Togetsukyo Bridge and just want a soak before leaving. It is less suited to a long evening built around a meal, sauna and several hours of downtime; Tenzan has more facilities for that.

What the spring information actually confirms

Fufu’s official bath page names the water in its indoor bath as Arashiyama Onsen. The city’s tourism listing gives the spring’s outlet temperature as 35.2°C and its temperature underground at 1,200 metres as 44.1°C. Neither figure should be mistaken for the temperature of the bath itself.

The spring is confirmed in Fufu’s indoor bath. The operator does not say that the outdoor bath, silky bath or cold plunge use the same water, so it is safer not to describe the whole facility as spring-fed. Our guide to onsen water temperature explains why source readings can differ from the temperature in a bath.

Fufu no Yu scores, out of 100:

Fufu’s tattoo rule is firm: people with tattoos and people wearing tattoo stickers cannot bathe. The more permissive policies found at some local public bathhouses do not apply here.

Tenzan no Yu: better when you have time to settle in

Tenzan no Yu is in Sagano, in Kyoto’s Ukyo Ward. Arisugawa Station on the Randen line and the Ikutaguchi stop on the Kyoto Bus are each about a three-minute walk away. Walking directly from Randen Arashiyama takes around 25 minutes. Drivers can use the roughly 150 parking spaces free of charge while visiting the facility.

Hours: 10 a.m.–midnight; last admission 11 p.m. The bath closes on the third Monday of each month, moving to Tuesday when Monday is a public holiday.

Indoor wear is optional for bath and sauna access.

The detail that changes the pace of a visit is re-entry: while you are still at Tenzan, you can bathe again after eating or using the relaxation facilities. That is useful if you have a few hours to spare. With only 90 minutes, there is little time to make use of it.

The carbonated bath is a weekend and holiday feature

Tenzan’s current bath page labels its high-concentration carbonated bath for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It is made by dissolving carbon dioxide into bathwater; it is not a second natural carbon-dioxide spring. The water is set about 2–3°C cooler than the regular bath because carbon dioxide dissolves more readily at a lower temperature.

The saunas are a regular part of the visit. Men have a tower-style löyly sauna; women have a radium-salt sauna and a rocky sauna. Aufguss towel sessions are listed at 1 p.m. and every odd-numbered hour after that, in the men’s tower sauna and women’s rocky sauna. Schedules can change, so check the day’s notice if a session is important to your plans.

The operator advises against using the carbonated bath if you are prone to overheating, heavy sweating or dehydration, or have hypercapnia, low blood pressure, heart disease or dizziness. Ask the staff if you are unsure whether it is suitable for you.

Tenzan’s spring, and what “source-fed” does not tell you

The facility describes its water as a private natural spring drawn from about 1,200 metres underground. Its official bath page classifies it as a sodium-calcium chloride spring, while the home page identifies a designated source-fed bath. The public pages do not publish a full treatment breakdown for every tub.

“100% private-source natural hot spring” is the operator’s description of the facility. It does not establish that every tub is untreated source water. The site specifically names a source-fed bath; that claim should not be extended to the whole building.

Tenzan no Yu scores, out of 100:

Tenzan does not admit anyone with a tattoo, even if it is covered, and has no family or private bath. A cover sticker will not change the policy.

Bringing children? Think about the walk as well as the ticket

Tenzan charges ¥550 for children aged four through elementary school and nothing for children aged three and under. Fufu charges ¥600 for children aged three through elementary school and ¥300 for children aged two and under. Tenzan is cheaper for younger children, but the fare is only part of the decision.

If your family is already near Hankyu Arashiyama and the children have walked all day, Fufu’s one-minute station walk may make the outing much easier. If they still have energy and you plan to eat, rest and bathe again, Tenzan gives you more room to slow down.

Choose by the time you have left

With about 90 minutes to two hours, head to Fufu—especially if you are around Togetsukyo Bridge’s south side or Hankyu Arashiyama. The short detour keeps the end of the day simple.

For a 2½–4-hour visit, take the Randen to Arisugawa and give Tenzan a proper afternoon or evening. You can use the baths and sauna, have a meal or rest, then go back in for another soak. The carbonated bath is part of the plan only on weekends and public holidays.

If tattoos are a concern, rule out both facilities. If sharing a private bath is essential, do not rely on either one: Tenzan has none, and Fufu’s current public information does not confirm a day-use booking option.

Two routes that work well

Arashiyama sightseeing → Fufu no Yu → Hankyu train: Finish at Tenryuji, the bamboo grove or Togetsukyo Bridge, then walk to the Hankyu side for a bath. Allow roughly 1½–2 hours to soak, get changed and reach the platform.

Arashiyama or Sagano → Randen → Tenzan no Yu → dinner or your hotel: Get off at Arisugawa and walk about three minutes. Set aside 2½–4 hours if you want time for the baths, sauna, food or a break, and a second soak.

Sources and image credits

• Fufu no Yu: official home page, prices, baths and spring details, access and FAQ.
• Kyoto City Tourism Navi: Arashiyama Onsen spring data.
• Tenzan no Yu: official home page, access and prices, baths and saunas, facility rules and tattoo and private-bath guidance.
• Togetsukyo Bridge at dusk: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Arisugawa Station at night: Michael Ocampo, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.