Yamabuki Springhead - Ubuyama
The Aso area is famed for its springwaters, a wonderful side effect of the volcanic activity that has been a constant in the area for millenia. After visiting many of them I have to say, Ubuyama Village has two of the best; Ikeyama Suigen 池山水源 and Yamabuki Suigen 山吹水源. (水源 Suigen means ‘water source’ or ‘springhead’ in Japanese)
Maybe the idea of visiting a spring brings visions of a small bubbling fountain coming up from underground but these are springs on another level, both of them producing 30 tons of fresh mineral water every single minute. Ikeyama Springhead can be found in Ubuyama village but if you have a car and don’t mind getting a little lost, go right off the beaten track and head to the little known Yamabuki Springhead.
How to get to Yamabuki Springhead
Like many experiences getting there is half the adventure. The first time, I made the mistake of trying to go from Higotai Park to Yamabuki Spring, by map just a journey of a couple of kilometers. After driving down a very narrow ridge road through the grasslands, Google proudly announced I had arrived at my destination. Which was great except all I could see was a wooden signpost pointing left saying Yamabuki Springhead was another 2 km away. I decided to follow the sign, after a couple of hundred meters the road become a muddy gravel track, the road forked and the GPS cut out… Deciding to play it safe, I turned back and went the long way round, heading back to the main road and driving to Ubuyama village. From Ubuyama village the good news is, Yamabuki spring is much better signposted. However, as you get closer the roads do narrow and it can be easy to miss the turnings, keep your eyes peeled for the 山吹水源 Yamabuki suigen kanji and small, very low signs. The route will take you right past the Ogi Rice terraces, a small section of terraced rice fields that are beautiful in late spring when full of water, once you see them you are almost there!
Arriving at Yamabuki Springhead it’s a bit of a surprise to find a spacious carpark and public toilets . The Springhead itself is a 10 minute walk from the carpark. But if you want to taste the water first there is a short path down to the river from the carpark, here you will find the water filling station, marked by a buddha statue, a pipe gushes, fresh, sweet spring water out for you to fill your bottles.
The path to the springhead is well maintained and it’s an easy, slightly uphill walk through the woods, as you get closer you walk alongside the small shallow river that would be lovely to cool your feet in on a hot day. The spring water is at a constant 13.5C all year round.
The spring head pool is a beautiful, peaceful and sacred place, you cannot enter the pool, drink from it or throw anything in it – no wishing on a lucky coin! In the center is a small shrine and a tree. Springs like these have always been sanctified in Japan. After all what could be more magical than a never ending source of crystal clear water, perfectly chilled in the summer and warm enough to melt snow in the winter.
You can walk around the pool and even in the midst of winter the vegetation around it appears green and lush due to the relative warmer temperatures. It’s also fine to play in the water downstream of the pool.
Yamabuki Springhead Access Information
- Free
- Large free car park
- Open all year round at any time
- Toilets available
- Can be difficult to find
- Remember to take a bottle, the spring water is delicious
Getting to Yamabuki Springhead can be a little tricky the first time, keep your eye out for small wooden signs saying ‘山吹水源’ the map reference below is for the Yamabuki Springhead carpark and that seems to work the best.
