Hello! I’m Hitapapa and I love hot springs.
This time, I came to Kawatana Onsen in Yamaguchi Prefecture for a day trip to “Gensen no Yado Kotengu” for a bath!
Above all, the quality of the spring water at Kotengu Onsen is amazing, and the way they use the spring water is fantastic!!
The hot spring water is directly poured from the source without adding water, heating, chlorine disinfection, or circulation!
While there are many hot springs that have flowing water but are disinfected with chlorine, heated, or have water added, Kotengu is a genuine, flowing hot spring!!
What’s more, the hot spring water comes from within the premises, so it’s super fresh!
By the way, Kawatana Onsen has several hot springs, but the hot springs are collected together at Kawatana Onsen and then distributed to each inn, so all the inns basically have the same hot spring water.
However, Kotengu is the only inn that has its own hot spring source, so the quality of the spring water is different from other inns and is extremely fresh!!
Now, let’s take a look at the hot springs at Gensen no Yado Kotengu.
Exterior
This inn is quietly located in Kawatana Onsen, surrounded by mountains and surrounded by nature.
This is a historic hot spring inn that was founded in 1929.
Kotengu can be found on the quaint little streets of Kawatana Onsen.
It’s a very interesting path.
There is a parking lot for Kotengu with space for 7 cars right next to the inn.
Lobby
The lobby looks like this.
We came as a family with our three children (ages 6, 3 and 1), but our one-year-old third son was still in diapers so he couldn’t go into the hot springs. So we split into two groups, one with mom, and the other with dad, and took turns going into the hot springs.
While we were waiting in the lobby, the hostess brought some drawing paper and colored pencils for the kids so they wouldn’t get bored!!
Very kind!!
The children were so engrossed in drawing that they were able to wait without getting bored.
It’s a very homely hot spring inn.
Dressing room
The exterior and lobby have a very historic feel to them, but the changing rooms have been renovated and are quite modern with a great atmosphere!
A very spacious and clean changing room.
There is also a sink and a hairdryer.
Semi-open-air bath
This is a semi-open-air bath.
The beautiful stone bathtub is decorated with plants arranged like a Japanese garden, making it a very relaxing bath.
The hot spring water is poured out generously.
Fresh spring water flows directly from the source.
The faint smell of sulfur enhances the hot spring atmosphere.
When you taste the spring water, it tastes slightly salty and the aroma of sulfur fills your mouth.
(By the way, it’s not for drinking, so taste it at your own risk!)
And surprisingly, Kotengu’s hot spring has the sixth highest radium content in the country, and the highest in western Japan!!
Who would have thought that Kawatana Onsen would have such a wonderful radium spring!
It was April, but the temperature of the hot spring water was only 44°C, so the semi-open-air bath was not too hot and just the right temperature.
The water feels a little warm, so you can enjoy a long, relaxing bath.
My son usually can’t get into a hot spring, but with a lukewarm spring like this, he can relax and enjoy himself.
Indoor bath
The indoor bath has a retro tiled tub.
Unlike the semi-open-air bath, the water in the indoor bath felt a little hot.
I get hot easily so I like lukewarm hot springs, but I think the temperature of this indoor bath is just right for some people.
The washing area is equipped with a shower, rinse-in shampoo, and body soap.
Hot spring ingredients
[Spring quality] Weakly radioactive sodium and calcium chloride hot spring
[Source temperature] 44℃
[pH value] 8.1
[Water volume] 260ml per minute
Basic information
<Kotengu Inn, the hot spring source>
- [Address] 5153 Kawatana, Toyoura-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- [Day trip bathing hours]
- Weekdays: 15:00-20:00
- Saturday and Sunday: 12:00-20:00
- (Last admission 19:30)
- [Closed] Wednesdays and Thursdays
- [Bath fee]
- Adults (junior high school students and above) 800 yen
- Children (elementary school students) 600 yen
- Children (from 3 years old) 400 yen
- [Parking lot] 7 spaces
- [Telephone number] 083-772-0215
- [Official website] Kotengu
Conclusion
The hot springs at Gensen no Yado Kotengu have excellent spring quality and use the hot spring water in the best way possible!!
This is a genuine hot spring that flows directly from the source without adding water, heating, circulation, or chlorine disinfection!
Among all the Kawatana Onsen hot springs, Kotengu no Yu is my favorite.
The bath is a little small, but this size is just right for a hot spring with water directly from the source.
If the bathtub is too large, it may become lukewarm, or there may not be enough water and it may need to be circulated and disinfected with chlorine, so I think a small, cozy bath is ideal for enjoying fresh hot spring water.
If the bathtub is small, the water can be replaced quickly, which is good from a hygiene standpoint.
I was very satisfied with the spring water, which was very fresh and of good quality.
If you ever visit Kawatana Onsen, be sure to try bathing at Gensen no Yado Kotengu!
See you soon!
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