Ikeyama Springs

Of all the springs I’ve visited in the Aso area, the Ikeyama Springs one has the biggest wow factor. Possibly because I visited in early February and to come across this lush green oasis in the middle of winter was something special.

Situated a few km north of the tiny village of Ubuyama, off Route 11 on the pyroclastic plateau between Aso and Kuju, the Ikeyama springs bubble up here at a rate of 30 tons a minute in a beautiful, large and incredibly clear pond surrounded by trees. The spring water is at a constant 13.5 degrees which means the water plants flourish all year round. The reflections on the water are stunning and in the centre stands the spring god, a small moss covered statue discovered in the bottom of the pond in the 1970’s. It is said to have been washed away from another location and landed in the pond over two hundred years ago.

Even to this day the spring waters supply the village of Ubuyama with all their drinking and irrigation water. According to a local guide they only pay for 600 Yen a month for all their water! The waters are said to give you eternal youth, if you drink once from the spring you will become 10 years younger, twice and you will be 20 years younger. But do not drink 3 times as you may disappear!

The Ikeyama springs are free to enter, next to the carpark is a cafe which is closed in the winter. You cannot paddle or swim in the main spring but you can cool your feet near the cafe, there is also a place where kids can play in the water. There are several restaurants in Ubuyama offering local specialities.