Onsen Facilities by Theme | Take a Break with a Footbath During Your Trip

Stopping for a hot spring soak can take time—you may need to remove makeup, and some people simply feel uncomfortable sharing a bath with others. Still, you want to ease the fatigue of travel. In that case, start with a footbath.

The calves are often called a “second heart,” and warming the body slowly from the knees down can help improve circulation throughout the body. It may also help with cold sensitivity, swelling, fatigue recovery, and overall relaxation. Another benefit is that footbaths place less strain on the heart, making it easier to avoid overheating. For locals, too, footbath spots are a small but welcome place to unwind.

Kawanoeki Funagoya Koibotaru

A free footbath is set up on the grounds of Kawanoeki Funagoya Koibotaru, open for anyone to enjoy. You can experience hot spring water drawn from a source 1,500 meters underground. The tea-brown, cloudy water is rich in carbonation and is well known for warming you through—even in a short time.

After refreshing your feet, stop by the adjacent local products market. You’ll find a wide selection of fresh local ingredients and regional specialties, making it a great place to take your time picking up souvenirs.