Enjoy the Retro Zao Onsen in Yamagata: Takayu-dori Street & 3 Public Baths

2026.08.31

Takayu-dori street is the main street of Zao . With its numerous public baths and other day-trip hot springs, and the scent of sulfur and steam rising from every corner, this street is perfect for experiencing the atmosphere of Zao. This time, we'll introduce Takayu-dori street and three of its public baths.

• Table of Contents
• 3 Public Baths the Locals Enjoy 
• A Stroll Around the "Takayu-dori Street"
• Public Bath 1. Shimoyu
• Public Bath 2. Kawara-yu 
• Sukawa Onsen Shrine
• Basic Information About the 3 Public Onsen
• Enjoy the Retro Atmosphere at Zao Onsen

3 Public Baths the Locals Enjoy 

Zao's hot springs are highly acidic sulfur springs, known as "beauty springs." The public bathhouses on Takayu-dori street are "Kamiyu," "Simoyu," and "Kawarayu." These are hot springs deeply rooted in the local community and frequently used by locals.

A Stroll Around the "Takayu-dori Street"

The entrance to Takayu-dori street is a short walk from the Zao bus terminal.

Look for the sign that says "Honobono Yuttari Takayu-dori street".

Public Bath 1. Shimoyu

If you go straight along the road from the entrance of Takayu-dori street, you will see "Simoyu" on your right.

Exterior view of Simoyu. In addition to the hot springs, Simoyu has a "foot bath" and a "hand bath" that anyone can use for free (right side of the photo).
*The footbath is not available during the winter season.

Insert your money here. (As of August 2026: Adults 300 yen / Children 100 yen)

Shimoyu

Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 990-2301

There are three communal baths in the hot spring town of Zao Onsen. Enjoy a luxurious tour of hot springs, each with their own characteristics, such as cloudy hot water and a bath that gushes out from under your feet, which is rare in Japan.

Public Bath 2. Kawara-yu 

If you continue Oku Takayu Saka Takayu-dori street steeper, you will see a sign for a footbath on your right. Follow the sign and turn right, and you will find the footbath, and beyond that, you will find " Kawarayu".

There's a footbath along the road, but it's not available during the winter. Once you reach this point, you're almost at Kawarayu.

Exterior view of Kawarayu. It's located a little further back from the main road.

A view of the bathroom. The floor is made of slats, and hot water bubbles up from below. Apparently, this type of hot spring where the water bubbles up from the ground is rare throughout Japan. (Image provided by Zao Tourism Association)

Kawarayu

Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 990-2301

There are three communal baths in the hot spring town of Zao Onsen. Enjoy a luxurious tour of hot springs, each with their own characteristics, such as cloudy hot water and a bath that gushes out from under your feet, which is rare in Japan. *This is the bath that springs out from under your feet.

Return to the sign for the footbath, and after walking up the Saka, you will arrive at "Kamiyu." It is the oldest of the three public baths.

A view of the bathroom. (Image provided by Zao Tourism Association)

Kamiyu

Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 990-2301

There are three communal baths in the hot spring town of Zao Onsen. Enjoy a luxurious tour of hot springs, each with their own characteristics, such as cloudy hot water and a bath that gushes out from under your feet, which is rare in Japan.

Sukawa Onsen Shrine

If you continue further from "Kamiyu," you will find "Sukawa Onsen Shrine." The approach to the shrine blends well with the atmosphere of the hot spring town and is a very photogenic spot. However, please be careful when climbing the stairs as they are steep.

Sukawa Onsen Shrine

Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 990-2301

It is enshrined on the steep uphill approach that continues from Takayu-dori. Emperor Seiwa's "Sandai Jitsuroku" says, "Dewa Province 6th Rank, Sukawa Onsen, God 5th Rank, Lower", and it is a historic shrine.

Basic Information About the 3 Public Onsen

Users: Anyone can use this service.

Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Admission fee: 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for children (as of August 2026)

*We recommend having some small change ready before entering the hot springs.

Precautions when bathing

*Quoted from "Zao Large Open-Air Bath ' Zao Style' Hot Spring Bathing Method: 7 Precautions for Bathing in Highly Acidic Hot Springs" (https://www.jupeer-zao.com/roten/ )

1. The water may feel hot due to its properties, so be sure to rinse yourself before entering.

2. Zao water is good at removing oil, so don't scrub too hard.

3. Getting hot spring water in your eyes will cause severe pain.

4. Drinking the spring water is not permitted.

5. The acid is strong and will corrode precious metals, causing them to turn black. Please be sure to remove any jewelry.

6. Hot spring water can damage clothing. Please dry yourself thoroughly after bathing.

7. Due to the nature of the spring water, the floor and bath rim may become slippery. Please be careful not to fall.

Others

There are no shower facilities available.

Alkaline soaps and shampoos are neutralized by the highly acidic water. Therefore, you cannot use soap, etc. However, since the hot spring water has antibacterial properties, it is not a problem if you do not wash your body.

• Restrooms are available in Kamiyu(Western style) and Simoyu(Japanese style), but not in Kawarayu.

Detailed information on how to use the three public baths in Zao can be found on the website below, so please take a look.

[ VISIT YAMAGATA "[Feature Articles Article] Zao Onsen Day Trip Bathing | Kamiyu, Kawarayu, and Simoyu Public Baths | Traditional Places of Relaxation" ]

Japanese version

https://www.visityamagata.jp/topics-zaohigaerionsen-kyodoyokujo/

English version

https://www.visityamagata.jp/en/topics-zaohigaerionsen-kyodoyokujo-en/

Enjoy the Retro Atmosphere at Zao Onsen

This article introduced three public bathhouses accessible from Takayu-dori street. There are many other shops and facilities on Takayu-dori street that we couldn't cover in this article, so we encourage you to visit them as well.

After enjoying the hot spring town, we also recommend viewing the famous "frost-covered trees" of Zao. Recommended routes for viewing the frost-covered trees at Zao Ski Resort are introduced in this article.