Harazuru Onsen

Located along the Chikugo River in Asakura City, on the border of Fukuoka and Oita prefectures, this hot spring resort is affectionately known as "Hakata no Oku-Zashiki”, a back room of Hakata (a destination not far from Hakata).

It is said that the hot spring originated when an angler came to the Chikugo River and found hot water gushing from a place where there was no snow on the ground.
Also, a legend that a wounded crane was healed by the hot spring water and flew away is said to have given rise to the name "Harazuru" (tsuru : crane).

The hot spring boasts of its mild simple alkaline hot spring water mixed with sulfur spring water.
It is renowned as one of the best hot springs in Kyushu, and many visitors come to enjoy the immense skin beautifying effects of the hot spring, which removes dead skin cells.
There is a wide variety of facilities, including long-established ryokan, hotels, and public bathhouses, and visitors can choose from a variety of conditions, such as the type of bathhouse and meals.

Cormorant fishing along the Chikugo River, which begins in May with the opening of the ayu fishing season and continues until around September, is a summer tradition in Asakura.
The sight of the lights of the Yakatabune (a roofed pleasure boat) reflected on the water in the darkness of the evening is a sight not to be missed. The sight of the precious traditional fishing method is definitely worth seeing up close.