Sai-no-kawara Rotenburo
西の河原露天風呂36°37′ N 138°35′ EDay use¥800, about CAD 7.20 or USD 5.10 (October 2026 rates)Tattoos welcome
Sai-no-kawara Rotenburo suits anyone who wants a very big outdoor bath in the woods at the edge of Kusatsu, and it has no washing area, so you rinse at your inn before you come.
Photo くろふね · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Know before you bathe
Rinse off before you get in, since there are no taps. On Friday evenings the men's pool becomes mixed through a new door from the women's side; men are lent bathing wear free for that session and must wear it. The women's pool stays women-only throughout.
Getting there
Walk about 12 minutes west from the Yubatake through Sai-no-kawara Park. Drivers park free at Tenguyama No. 1 car park (300 cars), six minutes away on foot.
Sai-no-kawara sits at the far end of Sai-no-kawara Park, west of the Yubatake, and its two pools add up to about 500 square metres, with the men's side at 333.5 and the women's at 166. The pools sit among trees, and at night the operator lights up the hill of Maruyama behind them. The operator promotes it in winter as a snow-viewing bath.
Beyond the changing rooms and lockers there is nothing to it, so it is a place to soak and leave. The water is the Bandai source at pH 1.7. Come on a Friday evening if you want to bathe as a couple: from 17:30 the men's pool turns mixed, with bathing wear for both sexes.
Worth knowing
- Check the second-Wednesday cleaning dates, when the bath shuts at 17:00.
- Re-entry is not allowed, so finish your walk in the park before you pay.
Quick answers about Sai-no-kawara Rotenburoよくある質問
How much is Sai-no-kawara Rotenburo?
Entry is ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for children from age 3 through primary school.
Can I use Sai-no-kawara with tattoos?
Yes. The operator states that Sai-no-kawara, Otaki-no-yu and Gozanoyu do not refuse guests with tattoos.
Is Sai-no-kawara mixed bathing?
On Friday evenings from 17:30 to 20:00 it is, except on certain days. The men's pool becomes mixed and everyone wears bathing wear; women can rent it for ¥400 and men borrow it free. The women's pool stays women-only.
Does Sai-no-kawara have showers?
No. There is no washing area, soap or hair dryer, so wash at your inn first.
Can you visit Sai-no-kawara Rotenburo without staying the night?
Yes. Sai-no-kawara Rotenburo sells day entry at ¥800 per adult (2026), about CAD 7.20 or USD 5.10 (October 2026 rates).
What are the opening hours of Sai-no-kawara Rotenburo?
Sai-no-kawara Rotenburo keeps these hours: Mon–Sun 07:00–20:00.
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