Bathing in thermal springs also open at night

Among the island's most fascinating attractions are the natural open-air thermal springs. All you need is a swimming costume to enjoy, free of charge, three natural pools nestled along the coast, between rocks and cliffs, and accessible 24 hours a day, even in the middle of the night. The most iconic of the springs is undoubtedly the Jinata Onsen, located at the bottom of a narrow gorge, where the landscape seems to be carved by a giant blade. The environment is wild, almost primordial. The water, rich in iron and brownish-brown in colour, gushes out from a sulphurous spring at about 80°C. In contact with seawater, the heat subsides and natural pools are created at various temperatures. All that remains now is to find the spot where the heat is best suited to your needs: a small ritual that transforms the simple bath into a personal, almost meditative experience. Beware, however, of tide times: when the tide is low, the ferrous waters of the Jinata thermal baths that flow into the rock pools are boiling hot, but when seawater is mixed in thanks to the rising tide, the temperature becomes pleasant for a bath. Near the Ashitsuke hot springs, which are a little less wild, are the two artificial pools of Matsugashita Miyabiyu, one with shallow water and benches to sit on for a footbath and a deeper one for a full bath.