Inside the bathing area, the steam is so thick you can barely see the bath. The bath is divided into two parts - one at a medium temperature, and the other zone (smaller) is really hot. The color is milky blue, with a slightly sulfuric smell. One window is fully open, so breathing is pretty comfortable. Small merchandise towels are sold for 200, no large towels for rent. The onsen is old-school, but I wouldn't say it's completely ancient - I liked it.
Kojigoku Onsen
小地獄温泉館しょうじごくおんせんかん
Public Bathhouse
Day Use
Yes09:30–19:00
¥500
Adults 500 yen, elementary school and under 250 yen, under 3 free. Seiunso guests can purchase half-price tickets at Seiunso front desk. JAF members get 50 yen off.
Bathing & Water
Outdoor BathNo
Open-air outdoor bath
Indoor BathYes
Enclosed indoor bathing area
OnsenYes
Uses natural hot spring water
Capabilities
Mixed BathingNo
Shared bathing area for all genders
Policies & Services
WashingYes
Shower, wash stations, soap and shampoo provided
TowelsYes
Towels available to rent or borrow
Rest AreaYes
Relaxation space for after bathing
ParkingYes
On-site or nearby parking available
Programs
About
Kojigoku Onsen (小地獄温泉館, Shojigoku Onsen-kan) is a public communal bath a short walk uphill from ryokan Seiunso, tucked beside the hot-spring vents of Unzen. The place dates to 1731, when it opened as a healing bathhouse, and the current wooden building has turned near-black over the years, not from decay but from the sulfur in the water. Inside there are two indoor baths, one hot and one very hot, fed directly by the source below, so the milky white water runs constantly fresh. No outdoor baths. The water has a strong sulfur smell and leaves the skin noticeably smooth. It is part of the Kyushu 88 Onsen (九州八十八湯, Kyushu Hachijuhachi-yu) circuit.
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