Location of closed Ofuna Radon Onsen (Yokohama)

Japan / Kanagawa / Kamakura / Yokohama / Taya-cho, 1459
The Ofuna Radon Onsen closed permanently on June 30, 2011.

Not quite cheap (2,100 Yen adult ticket) but quite a good - if a little tattered as it was built in 1920s, onsen, with a cafe, a rest hall with massage chairs, picturescue (albeit not very big) rotemburo with a decorative waterfall near one of the entrances to the Taya caves, enclosed radon water pool, cosy indoor pools with hydromassage devices and decorative rocks, sauna and etc. Resting rooms, massage parlour and restaraunt (this is also a karaoke and amateur dance stage) add to the comfort. Mostly, the place is frequented by middle-class retired persons; many hope to cure their arthrites or rheumatism, while others come here just to socialize. (By the way - while many specialists say that radon might be helpful for bone and joint conditions, it is still a known cancer provoker, and no one would say the exact content of radon in the water. Also, radon is added artificially - so the name "radon onsen" might be sort of an exaggeration). Still, the place is quite nice - in no way classy, but pleasant.

www.ofuna-radononsen.com

Getting there: bus 72 from Ofuna station (bus stop is across the bridge from the station, near the entrance to Kannon temple on the hill) to Radon-no Onsen stop (190 yen)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   35°22'3"N   139°31'19"E

Comments

  • Since radon effects on a human body are quite controversal (see, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radon), it is quite clear why most visitors are over their medium age; the curative properties of radon against the arthrites are proven, at least. As far as other effects are concerned, an occasional exposure to the radon water (and, especially, the radon-filled air) for not very long periods, is probably not too dangerous. For arthrites, though, radon is a well-known cure.
  • in December 2011, the onsen was found closed, I do not know - permanently or for renovation.
This article was last modified 9 years ago