Day trip bathing travel journals to hot springs where we visited by train and bus

Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu

Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu

1-14-5, Yumachi, Chikushino City, Fukuoka Pref.

The hot water with a slight scent of sulfur is wonderful. A hot spring near the station, water is flowing from the source, has a history and taste.

Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu exterior
Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu bathtub Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu bathtub Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu the 2nd floor hall

They are proud of "goodness of spring quality". The onsen flowing from the source that isn't exposed to the air and no heating and adding water. Despite being the Simple hot spring, it has a pleasant smell of sulfur.

Futsukaichi Onsen is a historical hot spring that is mentioned in Manyoshu. (Manyoshu is the anthology of poems in the 8th century.) Hakatayu was founded in 1860, and the three-story wooden building has a fascinating appearance.

The bathtub is made of stones and wooden columns and beams. It exudes an indescribable good atmosphere.

Location

Rating of access

5.0 pt(from Hakata)

→ How to rate access train

Area / Railway

Kyushu Region
Fukuoka Pref.

JR Kagoshima Line

onsen

Route from Fukuoka (Hakata)
  • Hakata Sta.JR rapid: 15 min Kagoshima Line ¥ 280
  • Futsukaichi Sta.Walk: 11 min 0.8 km (0.5 mi) Difference in elevation: 3 m (10 ft)
  • Hakatayu
Route from Fukuoka (Tenjin)
  • Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Sta.Nishitetsu: 26 min Tenjin Omuta Line ¥ 350
  • Murasaki Sta.Walk: 15 min 1.2 km (0.7 mi) Difference in elevation: 4 m (13 ft)
  • Hakatayu
Route from Fukuoka (Tenjin)
  • Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Sta.Nishitetsu express: 14 min Tenjin Omuta Line ¥ 350
  • Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Sta. Nishitetsu Bus: 10 or 14 min ¥ 160 or ¥ 170
  • Futsukaichi Onsen Bus StopWalk: 0 min
  • Hakatayu
Routes from Fukuoka
  • Hakata
  • JR
  • Futsukaichi
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 26 min ¥ 280

  • Tenjin
  • Nishitetsu
  • Murasaki
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 41 min ¥ 350

  • Tenjin
  • Nishitetsu express
  • Nishitetsu Futsukaichi
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 24 or 28 min ¥ 510 or ¥ 520

  • The route of Nishitetsu Bus to Futsukaichi Onsen is:
    Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Sta. → Futsukaichi OnsenSaiseikai Hospital → Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Sta. (CCW),
    Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Sta. → Saiseikai Hospital → Futsukaichi OnsenNishitetsu Futsukaichi Sta. (CW).
    To Futsukaichi Onsen, the former costs 160 yen for 10 minutes and the latter costs 170 yen for 14 minutes. (See the Nishitetsu timetables for details.)
  • The above fares are based on cash. When using an IC card, the fares may differ slightly.
  • The above times and distances are approximate. Does not include transfering or waiting times.

How to get to Hakatayu

(Directions from Futsukaichi Sta.)
  1. Exit the station and turn left
  2. Cross the first railroad crossing
  3. Follow the road and turn right
  4. Turn left on the prefectural road

bus stop: bus stop

Click the map to open Google Map

Travel journal of day trip bathing to hot spring

Characters

Nishi-san
Nishi-san
He is an orthodox hot springs lover and particular about quality of springs. He loves the hot springs flowing from the source, the hot water with a presence, and the rustic atmosphere.
Kita-san
Kita-san
He doesn't care much about quality of hot springs. He loves the open-air bath, and prefers hot springs that have visible features such as good views.

Today, they decided to go on a day trip bathing to Nishi-san's recommended hot spring. From JR Futsukaichi Station where about 15 minutes from Hakata Station, Nishi-san and Kita-san are heading for Hakatayu on foot.

I don't have a feeling there is a hot spring around here.

It will become onsen-like as you get closer. Look, the street trees have turned into willows. ... Come, we've arrived. There is a hot spring across the road too, but I recommend Hakatayu.

Oh, it's a so nice building, you know. And, the inside is ... cleaner than I thought.

Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu reception

Reception

Hakatayu was founded in 1860 and is a three-storey wooden building that retains its original taste. Its interior was renewed in 2004, changed a bright and beautiful impression. Perhaps because that day was Sunday, it was a bit crowded, and locals and a buisiness person were waiting in line.

They say please wait about 10 minutes.

Is that so? Well, I'm not in a hurry, it's OK.

Soon after, their turn came. For the bathing room, going down to semi-basement.

Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu bathtub

Bathtub (the back)

I like this faint sulfur odor. It has quite a good atmosphere, doesn't it?

I see. It's a little small but good. It has no flashiness, and seems for locals than tourists.

But the water itself is quite luxury. Because it's 100% flowing from the source.

Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu bathtub

Bathtub (the entrance side)

At Hakatayu, the source water pumped from 260 m (853 ft) below the ground is flowing directly into the bathtub without exposure to air and without any addition of something or heating.

In short, the hot water is fresh.

Boy ... Well, it's a good hot water ...

Nishi-san and Kita-san seemed to have fully enjoyed the hot water of Hakatayu and went out of the bath.

Futsukaichi Onsen seems the oldest hot spring in Kyushu, and is mentioned in Manyoshu.

Opposite is a municipal communal bath called "Gozenyu".

I'm going to catch a chill after bathing when I go out right away. It has a japanese-style hall as a break room on the second floor, so let's take a break.

Okay, go there!

Futsukaichi Onsen Hakatayu Hall on the 2nd floor

Hall on the 2nd floor

Nishi-san and Kita-san decided to rest for a while, and immediately opened a canned beer as they sat down.

(January 2013)

The second floor hall can be used free of charge until 20:00.

Canned beer (350 ml) 300 yen.

Impression & rating

The water is flowing from the source without adding water or heating, so the quality is great. The atmosphere is also very good.

3.5 pt

Impression & rating

There is a feeling of cleanliness overall and it is beautiful. Feeling like a hot spring for the locals, which is not flashy.

1.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
1-14-5, Yumachi, Chikushino City, Fukuoka Pref.
Phone
domestic: 092-922-2119
international: +81-92-922-2119
Website
Hakatayu
Bathing hours
10:00 - 21:30
(Last entry at 21:00)
Business days
Open year round
Charge
Adults(Weekdays): ¥ 350 / Adults(Sat., Sun., Holidays): ¥ 400 / Elementary school students and under: ¥ 200
Baths
Gender-separated indoor bath

The hot spring data
(According to hot spring analysis report etc.)

(Nov. 16, 2004)

Spring quality
Simple hot spring (Hypotonic Weak alkaline High temperature spring)
Gushing place
1-14-5, Yumachi, Chikushino City, Fukuoka Pref.
Temperature
43.8 ℃ (110.8 ℉)
[air temperature: 16.5 ℃ (61.7 ℉)]
Water volume
157 L / min (Pumping)
pH value
8.2
Radon content
5.3 M.E.
Total ingredients
0.660 g / kg
Perception
Colorless and clear, sulfur odor, tasteless

Today's Detour

Starbucks Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando store

Starbucks Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando Store

Dazaifu is close to Futsukaichi Onsen. Located in Dazaifu is "Starbucks Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando Store". One of the dozens of Starbucks Regional Landmark Stores nationwide. As you can see, it has a unique exterior. Designed by architect KUMA Kengo, and he said that it's "Design using a traditional timber frame structure". If you've gone there, you'll want to brag a little.

  • The descriptions on this page contain personal opinions and are not necessarily objective facts.
  • The information may have changed at present. In particular, the charge and price etc. has often not updated from the time of travel, so check the latest information on the official website.

Onsen List

Tohoku Region

Kanto Region

Kyushu Region

  • Fukuoka Pref.
-