Uji Natural Hot Spring Genji-no-Yu
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Okubo Station · 8 min walk (Kintetsu Kyoto Line)
- Hours
- [Mon–Fri] 10:00–24:00 (last entry 23:00); [Sat, Sun & holidays] 9:00–24:00 (last entry 23:00), morning bath 6:00–9:00 (last entry 8:30)
- Admission
- Adults (junior high school & older) ¥1,100 weekdays / ¥1,200 weekends & holidays; children (age 4–elementary) ¥500; age 3 & under free; morning bath adults ¥800, children ¥300
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Best time to go
- Weekend mornings between 6:00 and 9:00, when discounted morning bath admission is offered before regular daytime attendance increases.
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Located in the historic tea district of Uji, Genji-no-Yu is a tranquil, authentic natural hot spring facility designed like a traditional Machiya townhome. Visitors can soak in mineral-rich, skin-smoothing waters pumped from 1,111 meters underground, featuring open-air baths surrounded by bamboo and a traditional sauna. Inside, you will find a peaceful resting area and a restaurant serving excellent local Uji matcha-infused dishes.
What Japanese guides note
While bearing the Uji name, the bathhouse sits approximately five kilometers southwest of the central Byodoin area in Okubo, making the free shuttle bus from Keihan Uji or JR Uji Station the simplest connection for sightseers. Guests wearing diapers or training pants are strictly barred from dressing rooms and bath facilities, and children seven or older cannot enter opposite-sex baths. Locker wristbands track dining and service fees for payment upon departure, though morning bath tickets must be settled separately in cash.
Details from local sources
- The hot spring water drawn from 1,111 meters underground is the only natural onsen source located within Uji City. [source]
- Genji-no-Yu operates a daily free shuttle bus connecting directly from Keihan Uji Station, JR Uji Station, and Kintetsu Okubo Station. [source]
- Anyone wearing diapers or training pants, regardless of age, is prohibited from entering both the locker rooms and bath areas. [source]
- Under local regulations and facility rules, children must be under seven years old and under 120 centimeters tall to bathe in opposite-sex bath sections. [source]
- Internal purchases at the restaurant, vending machines, and relaxation rooms are registered via barcode locker wristbands for cashless settlement at exit. [source]
Insider Tip
Rent a towel set at the front desk for a small fee if you don't bring your own, and try the matcha soft-serve ice cream after your soak.
Frequently asked
How can visitors get to Genji-no-Yu without a rental car?
The facility runs a free shuttle bus linking Keihan Uji Station, JR Uji Station, and Kintetsu Okubo Station directly with the complex. Alternatively, train travelers can disembark at Kintetsu Okubo Station or JR Shinden Station and reach the facility on foot in approximately eight minutes.
Are bath towels provided or available for rent?
Towels are not included in admission. Visitors may bring their own or rent them at the front desk. A rental towel set consisting of a face towel and bath towel costs ¥220, while a set bundled with indoor facility clothing costs ¥300.
Can small children who wear diapers use the baths?
No. Anyone wearing diapers or training pants, whether infants, toddlers, or adults, is strictly prohibited from entering the changing rooms and bathing areas. Children age three and younger enter the facility for free, but diapered children cannot bathe.
Can visitors eat at the on-site restaurant without taking a bath?
Yes. The facility's restaurant, Wakan Tonsai Beniya, is open to visitors solely dining without paying bath admission. The kitchen specializes in Japanese and Korean pork dishes, including shabu-shabu hot pots and braised kakuni, operating daily from 11:00 to 22:00.
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