Tsuetate onsen Motoyu

Motoyu is a small open-air rock bath tucked at the base of Momiji Bridge in the steamy gorge town of Tsuetate Onsen, right at the edge of the Tsuetate River. The water is clear chloride spring water, hot at the source but diluted to a comfortable temperature. Large rocks provide natural screening, and despite being a fully open konyoku bath beside a public path, reviews note it is considerably more approachable than it looks. Local legend traces this spring back over 1,800 years to Empress Jingu, who supposedly used it as a birth bath. The surrounding gorge town, famous for its carp-streamer festival, is itself atmospheric, with steam rising from the streets.