A Rare to Find Sand Hot Spring! Saga Prefecture’s Kakureisen Inn Has a History of 2200 Years

Tsuru-no-ongaeshi Yomigaeri Inn Kakureisen

Saga prefecture’s Furyu Onsen is designated as a national recreation and hot spring location where the water is very good for the health.


According to an old legend, this place was found by Japan’s 7th emperor Korei but was destroyed by a flood and forgotten afterwards. Many years later local people noticed that cranes were healing their wounds in a nearby water pond so they dug into the pond and found the old hot spring.



The famous Japanese poet Saito Mokichi also stayed at Kakureisen Inn for a treatment. The elegant Japanese-style ryokan building reminds you of the nostalgic old times. In the garden where you can enjoy the flavor of the seasons there is even a rock with a poem inscription created by Saito Mokichi.

There are two hot spring pools

The inn has two hot spring pools. The one you see to the front on the photo is warmed up through additional circulation. The other pool is the unique sand bath. It’s rather lukewarm with a water temperature of 36-37 degrees. The best way to make use of this hot spring is to go from one pool to another. This will stimulate your metabolism and will increase the detoxification effect of the body. The shower place is also rather unique with its tatami flooring.

Try the rare to find sand hot spring!

There is plenty of sand on the bottom of this hot spring pool. It’s been placed there in order to protect the bedrock from which the hot water springs. The result is that the water gushes from under your feet and creates a very pleasant feeling when you’re soaking in this pool. 


Try to scoop a bit of the sand from the bottom. Most of the particles are just 1-2 cm, although there are some bigger pieces as well. This is nice and mild sand which doesn’t hurt your skin and feels pleasant to touch.

You can also drink the hot spring water!

One of the greatest pleasures of freely-flowing hot springs is the opportunity to drink some of the water! Increase the healing effect by drinking a bit and allowing the water to flow inside your body. There is a pipe spout with freely-flowing water just next to the sand pool, so simply use the cups left at the window and drink! No smell or color in this water!