This translation was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
Hoshino Onsen sits in the mountain village of Hoshino in Yame, an area known for tea, forests and dark night skies. Ikenoyama-so is the lodging, while the adjacent Hoshi no Onsenkan Kirara accepts day visitors. It works best as a countryside stop with a car, or as an overnight stay combined with stargazing.
- Day bath 10:00–22:00; final admission 21:30
- Adult ¥600; child age 4 through elementary school ¥350
- Private family bath ¥1,500 per room for 50 minutes
- No rental towels; face towel ¥400 and bath towel ¥800 for purchase
Fees and hours were rechecked on the official facility page on July 30, 2026. Confirm temporary closures before a long drive.
Day-bath information
| Item | Current information |
|---|---|
| Address | 10780-58 Hoshinomura, Yame, Fukuoka |
| Day bath | 10:00–22:00; last entry 21:30 |
| Price | Adult ¥600; child ¥350 |
| Parking | 50 spaces |
| Phone | 0943-22-8814 |
Open-air baths and water character
Kirara alternates two open-air baths by odd and even calendar dates. The panoramic Miharashi bath looks over Hoshino village; the Mori bath is framed by rocks and trees. Because the allocation changes, do not promise one particular bath to a traveler without checking the date.
The source is a simple alkaline spring with a listed pH of 9.6. Its smooth feel is the attraction, but visitors should treat the facility’s medical-effect wording as general onsen information rather than personal medical advice.
Private family bath reservations
There are two private rooms, Sora and Irodori. General day visitors may use them from 11:00 to 18:00; lodging guests can use them until 20:00. Telephone reservations for general visitors are accepted only for the same day and only for start times from 11:00 through 14:00.
A private bath is useful for a family that wants its own room, but confirm the reservation window and total charge by phone before leaving Yame city. Hotel packages or maintenance may change the available time.
What to bring and bath etiquette
- Body soap and rinse-in shampoo are provided.
- Towels are sold, not rented. Bringing your own is cheaper.
- Wash before entering the bath and keep towels out of the water.
- Tattoo, swimwear, photography and age rules should be confirmed directly when they affect your visit.
- Eat and hydrate before the drive, but avoid heavy drinking before bathing.
Driving access and trip planning
The practical route is by car. The facility is roughly 40–45 minutes from Yame IC in normal conditions, but mountain roads, weather and darkness can add time. Save the Japanese address and phone number in your navigation app.
Public transport is limited and return services may be sparse. If you do not drive, ask the accommodation about transport before booking rather than assuming an easy station connection. A daytime plan can combine Kirara with the tea and astronomy facilities in Hoshi no Furusato Park.
Stay overnight for the night sky
Lodging guests may bathe after check-in until 23:00 and again from 06:00 to 09:00. Staying overnight removes the pressure of a night mountain drive and makes it easier to visit the astronomy museum or simply watch the sky when conditions are clear.
For a one-day trip, choose either lunch plus the bath or the bath plus an early-evening activity. For stargazing, an overnight stay is safer and more relaxed. Weather determines visibility, so the onsen should remain the core plan.
