Kawara-buro
Bathe in Misasa Onsen’s Beloved Tattoo Friendly FREE Public Onsen
By Misasa Onsen’s iconic main bridge that leads into town is the beloved FREE public onsen bath Kawaraburo. Set in Misasa River itself, this rock rotenburo onsen has two baths for visitors to immerse themselves in the healing radon waters of Misasa. With a simple wooden fence and changing area to afford a little bit of privacy to undress, the onsen offers unspoiled views of the river and the surrounding onsen town. Traditionally pilgrims would bathe here before embarking on the sacred pilgrimage to Mt Mitoku. Once the pilgrimage was completed, they would return to bathe once more for a final purification.
Kawaraburo is not only free, but tattoo friendly and is one of the few remaining Konyoku “mixed onsen” throughout the country. For those who are a bit shy, on the other side of the changing area (closer to the bridge side) is one of the town’s free public foot baths. If you’re unsure of the steps of how to enjoy onsen, read the full onsen etiquette guide here.
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Soaking Away in Kawaraburo
In all my time exploring onsen, I’ve never seen a public onsen so beloved.
No matter the time of day, or the weather (unless it was an especially horrible storm or heavy rain), or unless it was a cleaning day; Kawaraburo always had someone bathing in it
Elderly locals would come together and have a chat, with others coming and going. The onsen truly embodies the spirit of community that goes back to ancient times of onsen bathing.
*as always I was given permission and the time to shoot in the public onsen.
A Traditional Konyoku “Mixed” Onsen
For visitors who want to experience a true traditional onsen bathing experience like the olden times - Kawaraburo is one of the few remaining Konyoku “Mixed” onsen where men and women soak together without barriers. Towels are not allowed to be worn in the onsen at all. So if understandably that is out of your comfort zone, enjoy an onsen day trip at one of the other ryokan’s public onsen baths or book an overnight stay at one of the many onsen ryokan in the town. Several of which have private onsen baths either to reserve or within guestrooms.
KAWARA BURO DETAILS
WEB: KAWARA BURO
OTHER PLACES TO STAY & THINGS TO DO
Mansuirou - a range of suites with open air onsen baths and pretty town views
Misasakan - soak away in a rose filled onsen bath
Ryokan Ohashi - a stunning historic onsen ryokan with gorgeous traditional Japanese rooms
Mt Mitoku Guide - for adventurers, hike Japan’s most dangerous National Treasure - a sacred pilgrimage
Misasa Onsen Travel Guide - discover what to do in your time in Misasa
TRAVEL FURTHER
*coming soon*
Hiroshima Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture
Shimane Prefecture
