Chikurintei
Onsen
Takeo Hot Springs is known for the transparency and pleasant softness of its waters. The hot spring is rich in history, so much so that it is mentioned in the “Hizen Fudoki”(a kind of ancient gazetteer) about 1,300 years ago. It states “on the west side of the district lies a crag from which there issues a hot spring,” and it is said that even Empress Jingu once bathed here.
Takeo Hot Springs is a simple, mildly alkaline, thermal hot spring that contains a variety of mineral elements in just the right proportions. The waters have excellent heat retention, and are famous for making skin beautiful as well as assist with fatigue recovery, neuralgia, muscle pain, and joint pain.
At the time of the Bunroku and Keicho Campaigns, the large numbers of soldiers who were assembled at Nagoya Castle would visit Takeo Hot Springs. To this day, the hotel has preserved a red-sealed document written by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, entitled “Rules for Bathing,” issued to keep the soldiers from disturbing the other bathers.
During the Edo period, Takeo Hot Springs flourished as a station on the Nagasaki Kaido road, and such famous historic figures as Musashi Miyamoto, Philipp Franz von Siebold, Masamune Date, and Tadataka Ino are recorded to have bathed here.
Guests at Chikurintei also have access to the Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel communal bath "The Rakan Bath" free of charge. It is around a 2 minute walk from Onyado Chikurintei to Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel.
The large communal baths at Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel have been completely renovated. The men's bath now has a meditation sauna where guests can enjoy löyly (pouring hot water on sauna stones to produce steam, using natural water from Mt. Mifune and roasted tea from Ureshino, Saga). The men's bath also has a cold water bath with hot spring water cooled to 16° celsius (60° fahrenheit), and a large open-air bathing space surrounded by the nature of Mt. Mifune.
The women's bath is also equipped with a meditation sauna, allowing guests to enjoy löyly (uses natural water from Mt. Mifune) and Kugel (aromatic balls that produce a scent when placed atop the sauna stove). It also has a cold water bath with hot spring water cooled to 17° celsius (63° fahrenheit), a steam sauna, a cafe (has homemade pudding, detox water, etc.), and an open-air bathing space surrounded by the nature of Mt. Mifune. We hope you will enjoy a relaxing time in their baths while gazing at Mt. Mifune's beautiful nature.