Besides Ichi no Yu, Jizō-Yu (地蔵湯) is another public bathhouse where you can rent a private hot spring tub in Kinosaki Onsen. Its building looks like a humble hotel but is definitely hard to miss when you walk past. The gigantic stone lantern at the front is too hard to miss! The hexagon-shaped windows are also part of its unique building design, which was inspired by the columnar joints in the Genbudō Park (玄武洞公園) nearby.
Table of Contents
- About Jizō-Yu’s Name
- Jizō-Yu’s Facility
- The Private Onsen Tub at Jizō-Yu
- What to Bring to Jizō-Yu
- Jizō-Yu’s Business Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
About Jizō-Yu’s Name
The bathhouse was named Jizō-Yu because a Jizō Bodhisattva was discovered from the bathhouse’s spring sauce. So, a Jizō Bodhisattva is enshrined in the bathhouse’s garden.
Because Jizō is a Bodhisattva who has sworn to save all creatures, it is said that if you bathe at Jizō-Yu, the Bodhisattva will look after your family members’ safety and the spirit of any miscarried children (家内安全・水子供養).

Jizō-Yu’s Facility
Similar to its appearance, the facility at Jizō-Yu is basic. It only has one spacious indoor onsen pool for each gender and doesn’t have an outdoor pool. With that said, hot spring pool jets are equipped at one side of the pool to massage your lower back (2nd photo of the IG post). In addition, it also has a deeper bathing area where more of your body can be soaked in the hot spring when standing.
The water temperature is quite high. So, if you aren’t accustomed to 43-degree water and don’t have a free bath pass, think twice before visiting.
On the other hand, if you prefer the typical Japanese public bath style, Jizō-Yu is a good example of a regular public bath in Japan and is the most visited public bathhouse by locals
After enjoying the hot spring, you can continue relaxing on the second floor. The bathhouse has the second-largest resting area in Kinosakai. The floor is heated for the guests to lie on all year round!
Tip: Jizō-Yu has a shallow bath for younger children in both gender’s bathing areas. You can refer to the last photo of the Instagram post for a photo of it.
The Private Onsen Tub at Jizō-Yu
Important: The private bath is currently closed until further notice.
If bathing with strangers isn’t your cup of tea, you can pay extra to utilize Jizō-Yu’s private onsen on the second floor. It costs 3,000 yen for a 40-minute rental.
What to Bring to Jizō-Yu
Like other bathhouses in Kinosaki, the amenities at Jizō-Yu are limited. Shampoo and body soap are available in the shower area. However, no toner or lotion is provided.
Also, towels are only provided for a fee. We paid 200 yen for a regular towel for the visit. A bath towel can also be rented.
Jizō-Yu’s Business Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Jizō-Yu is open daily from 7 am to 11 pm except for Mondays.
- The admission fee is
- 800 yen for adults
- 400 yen for children from 3 to 12 years old
- The bathhouse is a 5-minute walk from JR Kinosaki Onsen Station.
Other Public Bathhouses in Kinosaki Onsen
As you know, Jizō-Yu is just one of the seven public bathhouses in Kinosaki Onsen. Especially if you plan to stay in one of the town’s ryokan, trying out other public bathhouses is highly recommended. Why? Because you will get a free pass to all of them!
For more information about the public bathhouses in town, refer to our article on the Seven Public Bathhouses in Kinosaki Onsen!
Visit Kinosaki Onsen for Extraordinary Michelin Certified Sceneries
Kinosaki Onsen is a hot spring resort with rich historical and cultural elements that also sports many recreational activities. In addition, the spectacular view from Mt. Daishi is the recipient of a two Michelin star rating!
So when you visit Kinosaki, don’t just stay in the ryokan or public bathhouses. Explore the town!
For more information, please refer to our article on Kinosaki Onsen!