Onsen & Sento · Kannawa

Kannawa Mushiyu (Steam Bath) 鉄輪むし湯

Medieval-style herbal steam bath founded, legend says, by the monk Ippen in 1276: you lie on a bed of sekisho herbs in a hot stone chamber for eight minutes, then rinse off.

Hours6:30-20:00 (last entry 19:30)

Closed4th Thursday

PriceSteam bath (adult): ¥700
Yukata rental: ¥220

Getting thereKannawa bus stop (Kamenoi Bus), 3 min walk

Time needed30-45 minutes

Best timeMorning

AddressKannawa, Beppu, Oita

About

Kannawa's identity as an onsen town begins with Ippen Shonin, the itinerant monk said to have tamed the area's scalding vents in the 13th century and built a steam bath for the sick. The modern Kannawa Mushiyu keeps the idea: a small, igloo-like stone chamber heated by spring steam, its floor carpeted with fragrant sekisho (Japanese sweet flag) leaves. You change into a rental yukata, crawl in through a low door, lie on the herbs and sweat for about 8 to 10 minutes as the heat and grassy aroma wrap around you, then rinse in the attached bath. It is intense, short and very old-fashioned. Outside, the free foot-steam (ashimushi) lets you try the effect without undressing.

Highlights

Herb-carpeted stone steam chamber, a 700-year Kannawa tradition
Rental yukata and attached rinse bath
Free foot-steam outside
In the heart of the Kannawa steam streets

Tips

Stay no longer than about 10 minutes; staff will call you out
Drink water before and after
Rent the yukata (about ¥220) or bring shorts and a T-shirt you don't mind getting damp
Last entry 19:30

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

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Kannawa Mushiyu (Steam Bath) 鉄輪むし湯

About

Highlights

Tips

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