Ureshino: Saga's Hot Springs and Tea Fields

Pair a soak in soft hot spring water with a stroll through green hillside tea fields in a small Kyushu town known for two gentle pleasures.

Published October 26, 2026 at 11:37 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Ureshino is a small city in western Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, known for both hot springs and green tea. Its tea is typically tamaryokucha, a curled-leaf style also called guricha, and the area is also respected for pan-fired kamairicha. Visitors can soak in onsen baths, eat yudofu tofu simmered in hot spring water, and visit hillside tea farms with outdoor tea tables.

Ureshino is a good answer for travelers who want a relaxed Kyushu stop without the crowds of bigger hot spring resorts. The town sits in a basin ringed by gentle mountains, and its tea gardens climb the slopes right behind the bathing district. People search for it when they want a calm combination of onsen and tea culture, and they often ask what makes the tea different and how to experience it. This guide explains both, then covers walking routes, food and planning.

Where Ureshino is and what it is known for

Ureshino lies in western Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, in a basin surrounded by soft green mountains. According to English Wikipedia, the city covers about 126 square kilometers and is reached by the Nagasaki Expressway and national routes 34 and 498. Tourism material often explains the name as "happy fields," a fitting image for a place that is known for green tea fields and hot springs.

The town's two identities work together. In the morning, visitors can follow tea paths through hillside fields; in the afternoon, they can soak in mineral-rich waters or settle into a ryokan, a traditional inn. Many guests stay overnight so they can enjoy the bath, dinner and tea experiences at an easy pace instead of rushing between them.

The hot springs

Ureshino is a hot spring resort town, and Wikipedia describes the city as having a large number of spas, both indoor and outdoor. One travel writer notes that the waters are rich in alkaline and sodium minerals and that the town is praised for baths that leave the skin feeling smooth, a reputation often discussed in Japanese travel writing. Individual experiences vary, so think of this as a traditional claim rather than a promise.

Several ryokan and public baths welcome visitors. Siebold no Yu is a recently built public bath in a Taisho era style building that is barrier-free and has communal and private baths, which makes it practical for families. Some inns offer baths scented with local tea. If you are new to hot springs, review basic etiquette first: wash before entering the bath, keep towels out of the water and follow each facility's rules on tattoos and photography, which differ by place.

Onsen tofu, a local specialty

Ureshino's best-known dish is onsen tofu, or yudofu. Pieces of tofu are heated in ceramic pots in a broth made with the local hot spring water, which makes the tofu soft and almost creamy as it warms. Many ryokan serve it with dinner, and some restaurants offer it as a set meal, often with simple side dishes.

The dish is gentle on the palate and a good choice for anyone who finds heavy food tiring after a day of walking and bathing. If you avoid soy or have other dietary needs, ask staff about ingredients, which vary by maker and restaurant. Pair the meal with a cup of local tea for a combination that feels especially in tune with the town.

A short history of Ureshino tea

Tea cultivation here has a long history. English Wikipedia says tea production dates to 1504, when the method was introduced from China during the Ming dynasty period, and tea farmers speak of a roughly 500-year tradition. The mountains, mist, clean air and water of the basin are often cited as reasons the area suits tea growing. The harvest season begins in early May, when the scent of fresh leaves fills the hillsides.

Ureshino tea is closely connected to tamaryokucha, also called guricha. The name means curly or coiled tea, and the leaves are shaped into small, rounded curls instead of the thin needles that most sencha has. English Wikipedia describes tamaryokucha as a Kyushu tea with a tangy, berry-like taste and a long, nutty aftertaste. It is often steamed, although a pan-fired version exists.

Kamairicha and the pan-fired style

Ureshino is also respected for kamairicha, a tea roasted in an iron pan instead of steamed. English Wikipedia explains that the method began in China and that Ureshino in Saga and Sechibaru in Nagasaki are named as especially respected for pan-firing. The finished leaves are shaped like commas, and the tea has a mildly roasted flavor with sweeter, fresher notes and little of the astringency found in many Japanese teas.

If you want to taste the difference, order a flight of two or three teas at a tea shop or cafe and compare them in turn. Some farms in the area have also started making Japanese black tea and oolong, so you may be offered unexpected choices. Ask staff how to brew each type, as water temperature and steeping time affect flavor.

Tea experiences in the fields

Ureshino has developed tea tourism in recent years. The Ureshino Chadoki project began in 2016, led by a local ryokan owner, and the first outdoor tea table, called a Tenchadai, was built in 2017. At a farm, one such table stands at around 200 meters in altitude overlooking the town. The local government joined the project in 2019.

Visitor programs include tea ceremonies at farms and at a pottery kiln, bike rides with a bottle of tea that cold-brews while you pedal, and an overnight stay with a tea master who pairs teas with dinner. Availability changes with the season and the harvest, so reserve ahead and confirm details with the tourist office or the farm. The local Hizen Yoshida ceramics are another souvenir worth considering.

Walking and cycling routes

A 12.5 km Kyushu Olle course through Ureshino takes about four to five hours. It passes tea plantations, 13 Buddhist statues, a metasequoia forest and Todoroki Waterfall, and it ends at the Siebold no Ashiyu, a free public footbath where hikers can rest their feet. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and plan the start time so you finish before dark.

For a gentler plan, rent a bicycle in the main street of the hot spring town, or take a short taxi ride up to a tea farm and walk back downhill. The scenery is the main reward, so allow time for stops at viewpoints and tea houses along the way.

Planning a visit

Public transport details change, so check the local tourist association for current bus and train connections before you travel. Many visitors arrive by car or taxi, and the Nagasaki Expressway interchange has a tourist information office that sells discount spa tickets. Staying one night is ideal, and two nights allow a full tea day.

Spring and early summer are the tea-growing season, when the fields are fresh and bright, while autumn and winter can be quieter and suit those who mainly want to soak. Pack layers, because hillside weather changes quickly, and leave room in your luggage for tea.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japanese Tea and Matcha is available on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ureshino known for?

Ureshino is a small city in Saga Prefecture known for its hot springs and its green tea. Its tea is closely tied to curled-leaf tamaryokucha and pan-fired kamairicha. Many visitors combine an onsen stay with a tea farm visit and a meal of yudofu tofu cooked in hot spring water.

What is the difference between tamaryokucha and kamairicha?

Tamaryokucha is a curled-leaf tea, usually steamed, with a tangy, berry-like taste. Kamairicha is roasted in an iron pan rather than steamed and tastes mildly roasted, sweeter and less astringent. Both are associated with Kyushu, and Ureshino is respected for each.

When is the best time to visit Ureshino for tea?

The tea harvest begins in early May, when the fields are fresh and fragrant, so spring and early summer are lively. Some tea tourism activities are not offered during the busiest harvest weeks, so book ahead and confirm availability with the farm or tourist office.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Sencha and Gyokuro: Japan's Shaded and Steamed Green Teas, Uji: Japan's Famous Tea Town and the Byodoin Phoenix Hall and Onsen Water Types: Reading the Signs.