A winter trip to Fukuoka – Hakata Edition: A travel guide for fellow travel enthusiasts by Okinawa-based blogger @owncolorstravel, who runs a blog focused on travel and lifestyle.
Kyushu is famous for its many hot springs, so I originally thought about visiting places like Oita or Kagoshima to relax in an onsen. If you take the Shinkansen, you can get from Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo Station in as little as 1 hour and 19 minutes!
Staying an extra night and heading to Kagoshima for a hot spring soak sounded tempting, but this was a 3-day, 2-night solo trip focused on Hakata. So instead, I looked for easy-to-access relaxation spots right in the city.
・NAMIHA ONSEN HAKTA
NAMIHA ONSEN HAKTA 13-1 Chikkohonmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 812-0021
When planning a trip, I usually come up with backup options—Plan B, Plan C—just in case of bad weather, so I can adjust on the fly. In Fukuoka, it was snowing heavily from the morning, and instead of sightseeing, I was in the mood to just unwind and shake off some fatigue. So, I decided to spend my morning at a private onsen in the city.
If the weather had been clear, I would have gone for a walk around Fukuoka Tower or Ohori Park. And for Plan C? I had even considered trying out a fancy private sauna in the city.
NAMIHA ONSEN is part of Bayside Place Hakata, a seaside complex. The onsen draws natural hot spring water from 800 meters underground and features outdoor baths, stone saunas, private baths, a restaurant, esthetic treatments, and massages.
The best part? You can rent a private bath even if you’re alone! And it’s super affordable.
It’s about 10 minutes from Tenjin and Nakasu areas, and I took a taxi from the hotel where I stayed.
・How to book a private bath
At Namiha no Yu, the private baths work differently from the regular public baths—you can’t book in advance. Instead, you have to check availability in person at the front desk on the day of your visit. If there’s an open room, you can use it, so it’s good to keep that in mind before going.
If no rooms are available, you can still enjoy the public baths or the stone sauna.
Since I really wanted a private experience this time, I decided to wait. They told me a room would be available in about two hours, so I made the most of my time by exploring the area, even though the weather was rough with all the snow.
The private bath costs ¥3,900 for 90 minutes, which is super affordable! Each room can accommodate up to four people, so it’s also a great option for families.
You can also add stone sauna access for an extra fee!
・Inside the facility
Right in front of the reception area, there’s a dining space, relaxation facilities, a smoking area, and a lounge where you can kick back and wait for your reservation. So if you don’t feel like heading out, you can just chill here until your private bath is ready!
・View of the private bath
When it was time for my room to be ready, I went back to the front desk to pick up the key.
There are five private bath rooms, each with its own entrance separate from the public bath area. As you walk down the hallway, you’ll find a beautifully designed Japanese-style garden that feels just like a traditional inn—perfectly complementing the snowy scenery.
Each private room also comes with a TV, though I didn’t end up watching it. But if you wanted to, you could easily relax here even after your bath until your time is up.
The room types all have different designs, and which one you get depends on availability. This one, Yamabuki, features a semi-open-air bath.
A perfect spot to unwind and enjoy some solo time in a natural hot spring!
This onsen uses a circulating filtration system, and while the water didn’t have much of that silky, thick texture some hot springs have, it still warmed me up completely.
A circulating filtration system means the hot spring water is filtered and disinfected before being reused. The downside—depending on the mineral composition—is that it can dilute the natural properties of the spring, making it less rich compared to a free-flowing, non-recycled onsen.
The private rooms come with all the necessary amenities, but towel rentals are ¥500 for a set of large and small towels. It might be a good idea to bring your own towels to save on the rental fee.
It’s rare to find a place in the city where you can easily relax and unwind, so if you’re feeling worn out or traveling to Fukuoka, why not stop by NAMIHA ONSEN?
I had an incredibly luxurious time there, enjoying a private onsen all to myself without any interruptions. It was the perfect way to recharge.