Morioka Has Many Public Baths!

Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, is a tourist destination with a historic townscape sometimes called "Little Kyoto" and magnificent nature overlooking Mount Iwate. In Morioka, a bath culture has long been rooted, with a variety of bathing facilities from community-based public baths to well-equipped super sento and stylish hotel spas. You can enjoy relaxing in an open-air bath, promoting blood circulation in a high-concentration carbonated spring, or sweating profusely in an authentic Korean "pul-gama" sauna – Morioka's public baths each have their own unique character, offering new discoveries with every visit. Many facilities are easily accessible from the city center, which is a great advantage for travelers. Just a short distance from Morioka Station, super sento and natural hot spring facilities are scattered around, making it hard to choose where to go. Join the local regulars and immerse yourself in Morioka's unique bath culture.

4 Recommended Public Baths in Morioka

Kimori no Yu

Source: Kimori no Yu

"Kimori no Yu" is one of the most well-known super sento in the area, allowing visitors to enjoy natural hot springs that flow from within Morioka city. Its greatest appeal is the "high-concentration carbonated spring," which is said to significantly boost blood flow compared to regular hot water. Furthermore, the "reclining carbonated spring," the first of its kind in Tohoku, offers the luxurious experience of soaking your entire body in a carbonated spring while lying on a stone. In the open-air bath, you can enjoy the smooth, alkaline natural hot spring. Beyond the baths, there are also five types of aroma ganbanyoku (hot stone baths) and a far-infrared löyly sauna. The relaxation area is fully equipped with approximately 5,000 comic books and reclining chairs with TVs and bean bags, allowing you to relax even after bathing. There's also a dining area, making it a true "amusement park of baths" where you can completely reset the fatigue of a day of Morioka sightseeing.

SPA Sento Yukko Morioka

Source: SPA Sento Yukko Morioka

The facility long cherished by locals under the nickname "Mars Morioka" has been reborn as the popular Nordic-style spa sento "Yukko Morioka." It is particularly favored by sauna enthusiasts in Morioka, offering a variety of baths in one location, including silk bath, carbonated spring, jet bath, open-air bath, and sauna. There are also abundant plans perfect for those who want to fully enjoy their stay in Morioka, such as the "Relaxing Plan" allowing up to 23 hours of stay and the "Good Night Plan." The second floor offers extensive relaxation areas including a library, multi-purpose rooms, nap rooms, and a premium lounge, as well as a dining area and relaxation corner. Open from 5 AM to 1 AM, it's ideal for early mornings during Morioka sightseeing or as a way to conclude your trip. It's a reliable establishment widely loved by both travelers based in Morioka and locals.

Kaiun no Yu

Source: Kaiun no Yu

"Sennan Onsen Kaiun no Yu" is a super sento offering day-trip hot spring access in the Honmiya area of Morioka City, boasting excellent access – approximately 15 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by taxi from Morioka Station. Its most distinctive feature is the "Pul-gama," a traditional Korean sauna rarely found in Tohoku. Sweating profusely in the special kiln heated with rock salt allows for a unique experience of detoxification and refreshment simultaneously, sure to become addictive once you try it. You can also enjoy the open-air bath with natural radon hot spring, and combining it with a ganbanyoku (hot stone bath) is also popular. The dining area "Shichifukujin" is a welcome feature, allowing even those not using the baths to dine there. There are also plenty of advantageous service days, such as "Pul-gama Day" on Tuesdays, "Ladies' Day" on Wednesdays, and "Men's Day" on Thursdays. Point card members can also receive meal tickets, making it a convenient facility for both Morioka residents and travelers.

KANAN SPA

Source: KANAN SPA

KANAN SPA, a SPA facility within Hotel Mazarium located on the 3rd floor of Morioka Bus Center, is a noteworthy super sento that opened in 2024 in the Kanan area, the center of Morioka City. It features an authentic Finnish-style sauna (with self-löyly), a cold water bath using groundwater, and an open-air bathing space, making it a must-visit for sauna enthusiasts. In addition to carbonated and regular baths, it also has a body maintenance salon. After bathing, you can relax in the jazz lounge or on the rooftop plaza "PARK SIDE-B," a unique charm of Morioka's city center. Hotel guests can use it for free, and day-use visitors are also welcome, with multi-visit tickets available. Its location, within walking distance of major Morioka attractions like the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building and Morioka Castle Site Park, is ideal for travelers looking to combine sightseeing with a relaxing bath.

Enjoy Morioka's Public Baths to the Fullest!

Morioka's super sento and public baths are all uniquely charming, offering new discoveries with every visit. Kimori no Yu leaves your skin silky smooth with its natural hot springs, Yukko Morioka offers a refreshing experience with its Nordic-style sauna, Kaiun no Yu allows you to try Tohoku's unique Korean Pul-gama, and KANAN SPA combines sightseeing with bathing in central Morioka. Each has a different appeal, and all are facilities with loyal repeat customers. Why not include a Morioka bath-hopping tour in your schedule, either during your sightseeing or to relieve travel fatigue? Immersing yourself in the baths alongside the locals will allow you to experience Morioka's genuine daily life and warmth, something you can't get just by visiting tourist spots. Enjoy Morioka's bath culture, which will make you want to return again and again!