Ashituki Onsen 足付温泉

Feel at one with nature in this rocky seashore onsen

Look out to sea from the warm waters of Ashitsuke Onsen, a rock pool-like open air hot spring bath. The name, meaning "foot dipping" onsen, derives from a legend that a sea lion healed its wounded flipper in these waters.

This is the only onsen with clear water on Shikine-jima Island. Its location right on the rocky seashore makes it extra special. You can enter this unusual onsen for free at any time of day or night, but don't forget your swimsuit. The hot spring heats the rock formation, so the temperature of the water changes with the ebb and flow of the tide. Experimenting to find the best place to enter the water adds another dimension to the fun.