Saki-no-Yu Onsen Spa — Attraction in Shirahama

Amazing 1400(!) years old Onsen. For white Tourists: separated pools for male and female visitors, no camera/smartphones inside (cheap lockers available), you bath naked. It was my first bath in a outdoor hot spring and it was amazing! Great view at the ocean. The waves are almost coming into the front pool. The temperature was hot but not too hot. Recommend to stay in for about 20-30 minutes. Even when it's cold outside (we had 10°C at the time) you are not freezing after the bath - amazing! Recommend to go there in the morning. Only 1-5 other men in the pools.

Nice to know: The front pool is not fully covered as people from the top floor rooms at the hotel behind the onsen may watch you there... However, my wife told me the women's front pool is much better covered (and has the better view for the ocean as well).

Btw: Great friendly staff! Will go there again...

It is a historical place and a very unique onsen that you can face the ocean directly while you're soaking the hot water. It is very small and there is no shower facility at all. There are toilets at the parking outside.

The outermost bath pools both male and female, which have the best view facing the ocean, have no privacy at all. Condo or hotel which of course built later than the onsen can see the full view of the bath without anything blocking it.

Moreover, anyone can walk pass the entrance of the male onsen which there are only three pieces of fabric hang over there. When wind blow them off, anyone who walks outside can see naked males changing clothes! :(

And check the time carefully. I saw a big group of tourists came and disappointed because they were closing and did not let the...

Nice onsen. Do note, payment is cash only, and if you have any valuables, you'll have to store them in a separate 100-yen coin locker. Also, you either have to bring your own towel, or purchase one for 200 yen. The onsen doesn't mind if you have tattoos, so long as you behave. The sea-side pools were broken during my visit because of damage from a typhoon, but they said that it'd be fixed by late November 2024. Still a striking bath, even if you don't get the views.

Oh, and people on a nearby observation platform will be able to see you naked if you're on the men's side, but hey, that's their fault...