Shinmizu Kaikan, Yunohira Onsen (湯平温泉)

Category: Onsen

When I visited in May '06, this spring was closed. I'm not sure if it was temporary, for construction, or if it was permanent. Also, if it was for construction, the unique mixed cave spring may now be different and segregated (this seems to be the trend).

Entrance: 500円
Tubs: Outdoor (Cave), one women and one mixed

Description from another site:

Upon arrival, make your way to the "Shimizu Kaikan", a small, Japanese style inn, but don't [go down into the town] in anything bigger than a [k-car], or you won't get there. [Otherwise you can park up by the main road] From the outside, the hotel looks plain enough, but it is merely hiding what most people couldn't imagine. After taking the compulsory pre-bath shower, the weary traveller walks through a stone gateway, and finds himself in the middle of a huge cave, dimly-lit, and with the water oozing in through the walls. It is quite stunning; there is even a little beach area inside the cave for those who need to take a break from the relatively hot water. However, that's not all. This is a mixed onsen, which means that your sweetheart can join you in the men's bath. Bathing suits not permitted. The women's bath does not allow men, though. The baths are also so huge, you can swim around in them.

Kyushu Onsens - mjryoung