Kochi

Kochi has 37 onsen areas and 96 springs (Ministry of the Environment, FY2024). Its total flow is the smallest in Japan, and only one spring reaches 42°C. Its springs are used by inns and day baths scattered along the rivers and coast. In the centre of Kochi city, Sansuien offers natural hot-spring water on the site of a villa of the Yamauchi lords of Tosa.

Main onsen areas

In the east, Aki district has Umaji in Umaji village and Yosakoi in Geisei. The centre has Kochi Sansuien in Kochi city, Ryuga in Kami and Tosaryu in Tosa. In the west are Sodayama in Susaki, Matsubakawa in Shimanto, Kuroshio Honjin in Nakatosa and Ashizuri in Tosashimizu.

Characteristic spring types

Chloride springs are the most common in our records, followed by bicarbonate and simple springs. Umaji is a sodium bicarbonate-chloride spring, Sodayama and Matsubakawa are sulfur-bearing cold springs, and Ashizuri is a weakly radioactive cold spring.

Reachable by public transport

Kochi Sansuien is about five minutes' walk from the Kenchomae stop on the Tosaden tram, or about 25 minutes' walk from JR Kochi Station.

For solo travellers

Sansuien's bath hall, Yudono Suisaikaku, takes day bathers, so you can drop in alone between sights in Kochi city. Umaji also offers day bathing and has a restaurant.

Food & culture

Umaji sits on the Yasuda River, with views of the river and the village's mountains from its rooms and baths. At Yuzu-no-yado in Kitagawa village, yuzu citrus baths are offered in yuzu season, and an inn at Cape Ashizuri passes on the tale that Kobo Daishi himself rested here.