Tsukigase Onsen: A Countryside Bath in Northeast Nara
Visit rural Tsukigase Onsen for an ¥800 bath open 10:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; its 30.5°C source and view bath vary by bathing side.
Checked: September 27, 2026
This is a place to build a half-day around, not an easy add-on after sightseeing in central Nara. The bus journey is long and departures are limited, while driving gives you more control over how long you stay. If you are already heading toward Tsukigase Plum Grove or the surrounding countryside, the bath makes a natural end to the outing.
What the ¥800 admission gets you
The bathing area includes indoor and outdoor pools, a source bath, a dry sauna and a cold plunge. The outdoor view bath sits above the surrounding landscape, but it is on the Cha-no-yu side only. The two sides normally rotate between men and women by date, so check the current calendar if that particular view is why you are coming. Bad weather may also close the elevated bath.
The operator lists the spring source at 30.5°C and pH 7.9. That is the source temperature, not the temperature of every pool. The source bath itself is around 30°C, making it a cooler soak than the heated baths. Available information does not establish the treatment method or exact temperature for every tub, so it is safer not to describe the whole facility as free-flowing source water.
Some older travel pages still show ¥700, but the operator’s current 2026 price is ¥800 for adults. Use the current operator rate when budgeting.
| Item | Current information |
|---|---|
| Adult admission | ¥800 |
| Elementary-school child | ¥400 |
| Younger children | Free |
| Bathing hours | 10:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. |
| Last admission | 8 p.m. |
| Regular closing day | Tuesday; open when Tuesday is a public holiday |
| February and March | Open daily, according to the operator |
| Payment | Cash only |
| Parking | About 150 free spaces |
Towels are sold, not rented: the small towel is ¥150 and a bath towel is ¥350. Shampoo, conditioner and body wash are provided. Bring cash for admission, towels, the restaurant or the on-site market; cards and electronic payment are not accepted.
Plan around the side rotation and the plum season
The view bath is a feature of Cha-no-yu, while the other side is called Ume-no-yu. The men’s and women’s allocation normally switches on odd and even dates, but the operator can adjust the schedule for holidays or other operating needs. A photograph of the view bath does not guarantee that it will be available to you on your visit. Check the facility’s calendar and weather notices before setting out.
The annual plum festival brings the strongest reason to make the trip. In 2026, the festival ran February 14 through March 29, and the bath announced daily opening throughout February and March. That is also the busiest period around the area; a scenic stop may come with more traffic and bathers. If a quieter soak matters more than peak blossoms, choose another date.
The facility normally closes on Tuesdays, except when a public holiday changes the schedule. Always check the current notice rather than relying on the usual weekday rule alone.
Recent official information continues to list the operating schedule, restaurant and bathing facilities. The current editorial scorecard rates comfort 85, variety 80, cleanliness 85, atmosphere 95, quiet 80, access 45 and value 85; these are site ratings, not operator figures. See the Tsukigase Onsen profile.
Getting there takes more planning than the bath itself
From JR or Kintetsu Nara, the journey is roughly 70 minutes by public transport, depending on the connection. Buses are not as frequent as city services, so check the return timetable first and work backwards from the 8 p.m. last admission. Leave enough time to wash, bathe and change; a late arrival can turn into a rushed visit or a missed connection.
Seasonal transport around the plum festival may differ from the ordinary timetable. Do not assume that a bus or shuttle shown for blossom season runs year-round. If you are coming from Osaka, Kyoto or Iga, confirm the full route for your date rather than treating Tsukigaseguchi as a guaranteed final connection.
Driving is simpler for most itineraries. The operator lists around 150 free parking spaces, though that does not guarantee a spot during the plum-season rush. Roads and the car park can be busy at peak times, so arriving before the afternoon crowd is the less stressful option.
Check the rules before you leave
The operator does not admit guests with tattoos, tattoo stickers or painted tattoos, and it does not publish an exception for covered tattoos. The facility is cash only. Its footbath is currently listed as closed, so older guides that present it as an available stop may be out of date.
For a meal, the on-site Ume Kokoro restaurant is listed from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with last orders at 8 p.m.; dining is available without buying a bath ticket. Since restaurant last orders and bath last admission are both 8 p.m., do not leave both parts of the visit until the final half hour. Alcohol is not sold to drivers.
If you only have a short window in central Nara, compare the city-side day-use baths or the Nara day-use onsen overview. Tsukigase earns the detour when the countryside is already part of your day.
