Kyoto Rurikei Onsen

In short

Kyoto Rurikei Onsen is a hot spring and leisure facility located near the Rurikei ravine in Sonobe-cho, Nantan City. In April 2025, it reopened under the name "ASOBIYUKU Kyoto Rurikei Onsen," offering hot springs, places to stay, play areas, and dining spots.

• ​Hot Springs and Swimsuit Onsen​​: The gender-segregated large public baths feature natural hot springs classified as weakly radioactive springs, also referred to as radon springs. The swimsuit hot spring area includes open-air baths, saunas, and a 25-meter heated swimming pool
• ​Bedrock Baths and Play Areas​​: In addition to three bedrock bath rooms of different temperatures, there are fluffy dome trampolines, net athletics, a buggy course, and a dog run outside
• ​Rurikei, a National Place of Scenic Beauty​​: A 4-kilometer-long ravine on a plateau at an elevation of 500 meters, its main section was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty in 1932 (Showa 7). A walking trail lets visitors trace the "Twelve Scenic Spots of Rurikei"

History and Highlights

​Kyoto Rurikei Onsen​ is a hot spring and leisure facility located near the Rurikei ravine in the southwestern part of Sonobe-cho, Nantan City. In April 2025, its bathing and accommodation facilities were renewed, and it reopened under the name "ASOBIYUKU Kyoto Rurikei Onsen." On its spacious grounds, it offers hot springs, places to stay, play areas, and dining spots, accommodating both day-trippers and overnight guests.

Rurikei, from which the facility takes its name, is a 4-kilometer-long ravine located on a plateau at an elevation of 500 meters. It is a valley carved into the plateau's slopes by the Sonobe River. In 1932, the main section of the ravine was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty, and in 1964, it became Kyoto Prefectural Rurikei Natural Park. In 1907, the literati painter Tomioka Tessai also visited here and praised its beauty in Chinese-style poetry.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Hot Springs and Swimsuit Onsen​​: The gender-segregated large public baths feature natural hot springs classified as weakly radioactive springs, also referred to as radon springs. The swimsuit hot spring area, where men and women can bathe together wearing swimsuits, includes open-air baths and saunas, as well as a 25-meter heated swimming pool.
• ​Bedrock Baths and Play Areas​​: Lantern Terrace features three bedrock bath rooms of different temperatures and areas where guests can lie down and relax. Outside, there are fluffy dome trampolines, net athletics, a buggy course, and a dog run, while an indoor Kids Land is also available for children.
• ​Accommodations​​: Guests can stay at the ryokan "Kobushi," which offers private baths for hire, as well as glamping sites and whole-villa rentals equipped with hot springs.

Walking Tips

Taking a walk through the Rurikei ravine after enjoying the hot springs is also recommended. Along the approximately 4-kilometer walking trail, visitors can listen to the sound of the river while tracing scenic spots known as the "Twelve Scenic Spots of Rurikei." Around late April, Torch azaleas (yamatsutsuji) and Mitsuba azaleas color the valley, and the area is known for its autumn foliage. At the uppermost reach lies the artificial Lake Tsutenko. For those arriving by train, free shuttle buses run to the facility from Sonobe Station on the JR Sagano Line and Nissei-chuo Station on the Nose Electric Railway. Day-trip visitors cannot reserve seats on the bus, and buses may be full on the day.