Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath — A Free, Hidden Healing Spot in Yesan, Korea

πŸ’ Free, Peaceful, and Surprisingly Restorative


Interior of Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath with wooden seating and hot mineral water pools
A peaceful look inside the Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath, featuring wooden seating and naturally warm spring water.πŸ’™

Hello, I’m Hangeulia ^-^

If you’re planning a trip to Yesan and want to add a gentle moment of healing to your day, I highly recommend the Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath (Deoksan Oncheon Foot Bath) — a quiet, hidden gem that’s completely free yet wonderfully soothing.

I visited recently, and it felt like discovering a small oasis: warm water, clean facilities, and a calm atmosphere that instantly slows your pace. It’s the kind of place that makes you think, “Wow… I really needed this.” 🌿

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know — how the foot bath works, what to expect on your first visit, practical tips from my own experience, and the best way to include it in your Yesan travel route.

Perfect for: Travelers who want a quiet, low-budget healing stop near Sudeoksa — especially if you’ll be walking a lot. ^^



πŸ’œ Before You Go: Important Foot Bath Guidelines


To help everyone enjoy the Deoksan Oncheon Foot Bath comfortably and safely, here are a few simple things to keep in mind:

  • Children and elderly visitors should be accompanied by a guardian.
  • Bring your own towel. None are provided on-site.
  • Remove your shoes outside before entering the building (you’ll be barefoot inside).
  • Wash your feet first before stepping into the foot bath.
  • No food or drinks inside the facility.
  • 15–20 minutes is the recommended soaking time.
  • The floor can be slippery when wet — walk carefully.
  • Warm spring water comes up from the floor inside the bath.
  • Please keep voices low to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
  • No pets are allowed inside.



πŸ’œ Quick Info Guide — Deoksan Oncheon Foot Bath


Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath sign outside the building in Yesan, Korea
The outdoor sign welcoming visitors to the Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath in Yesan.😊

  • Location: 11 Oncheondanji 2-ro, Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungnam
    (좩남 μ˜ˆμ‚°κ΅° 덕산면 μ˜¨μ²œλ‹¨μ§€2둜 11)
    πŸ‘‰ Check on Google Maps (λ•μ‚°μ˜¨μ²œμ‘±μš•μž₯)
  • Opening Hours: 10:30 — 17:50
  • Closed: First Monday of every month, Lunar New Year’s Day, and Chuseok Day
  • Admission: Free
  • Parking: Public parking lot available right next to the foot bath
  • Renovation: Completely refreshed and reopened in September 2025
  • Type of Bath: Hinoki (νŽΈλ°±λ‚˜λ¬΄) hot-spring foot bath with natural alkaline water
  • Facilities: Public restroom right beside the foot bath
  • Recommended For: A relaxing healing stop on your Yesan trip — close to Sudeoksa Temple, the Metasequoia Road, and the scenic Hwangtot-gil trail.

Update note: Hours, closing days, and on-site rules can change. Please double-check the latest notice before your visit.



πŸ’œ What Makes This Foot Bath Special


Visitors soaking their feet in the Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath in Yesan, Korea
Visitors relaxing and soaking their feet in the warm mineral water at Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath.πŸ’¦

The spring water is properly hot — warm enough that your legs turn pink after a few minutes. But that deep heat is exactly what makes the experience so soothing and energizing.

Because the foot bath is operated for free by Yesan-gun, the space is impressively well maintained. After its full renovation in September 2025, the facility isn’t large, but it feels clean, fresh, and pleasantly cozy. The hinoki-wood tubs, the gentle warmth of the spring water, and the soft steam rising into the air — all of it blends beautifully with the quiet, peaceful surroundings.

It’s the kind of place that suits everyone — a cozy stop for family trips, a calming moment for couples, and a perfect little healing break for solo travelers who want to slow down and breathe. 🌿


Point Why It’s Special
Free admission Completely free and operated by Yesan-gun — rare for a hot spring facility in Korea.
Natural hot spring water Warm mineral water flows up from the floor, creating a steady, comforting heat.
Hinoki wood tubs The hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood adds a soft scent and a cozy, calming atmosphere.
Recently renovated Fully renovated and reopened in September 2025 — clean, bright, and well maintained.
Quiet, local vibe No loud music or crowds — just warm water, light steam, and a peaceful local rhythm.
Perfect after walking An ideal stop after visiting Sudeoksa Temple or nearby forest trails.

In short — it’s simple, local, and quietly comforting. Exactly the kind of place you don’t expect to find for free. ^^



πŸ’œ My Real Tips After Visiting


Here are the things I learned actually visiting Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath — the tips that will genuinely make your experience more comfortable ^^


✔ 1. Bring your own towel

The foot bath doesn’t provide towels. Since your feet come out quite wet, bringing a small hand towel is absolutely essential.


✔ 2. Leave most of your belongings in the car

There is no storage area inside. So I only took: my phone and a towel, and left the rest in the car. Much easier and more comfortable!


✔ 3. Wear lighter clothes

As you soak your feet, your whole body warms up. If you wear thick outerwear, it can feel too hot, so I recommend light, comfortable clothing.


✔ 4. Use the small shoe racks at the entrance

Before entering, take off your shoes and socks and place them in the little shoe racks. Everyone inside is barefoot.


✔ 5. Wash your feet before entering

Foot-washing station inside the Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath facility in Yesan, Korea
The foot-washing station inside the Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath — where visitors rinse their feet before soaking.πŸ’§

Inside, there’s a small foot-washing area. Rinse your feet before soaking to keep the water clean — a basic but thoughtful etiquette.


✔ 6. 15–20 minutes is the perfect soaking time

From my experience, 15–20 minutes gives you the warm, relaxed feeling without feeling light-headed. A perfect balance ^^


✔ 7. If you spill water, wipe it with your extra towel

When pulling your feet out, some water might drip. Use your extra towel to wipe the seat lightly so the next visitor won’t slip — a small gesture that makes a big difference.


8. The Extra-Hot Round Tubs

Inside the foot bath area, you’ll find three small round tubs placed along both sides. These tubs are much hotter than the main soaking zone — the kind of heat that can make your legs turn red almost instantly ^^ If you love a really intense, steaming-hot foot soak, try dipping your feet here for a deeper, more revitalizing warmth. Just ease in slowly and take breaks if needed!


✔ 9. After soaking, rinse and dry your feet again

When you’re done:
→ rinse your feet once more at the washing station
→ dry them with your towel
→ then step outside to put on your socks and shoes.
Such a simple routine, but it makes the ending feel clean and refreshing.



πŸ’œ Perfect Combo — The Best Way to Enjoy Yesan in One Day


πŸ’› Sudeoksa → 산채비빔λ°₯ → Metasequoia Road & Hwangto-gil

Autumn view of Sudeoksa Daeungjeon Hall and the Three-story Stone Pagoda in Yesan, Korea
A beautiful autumn view of Sudeoksa’s Daeungjeon Hall and its Three-story Stone Pagoda, framed by vibrant fall colors in Yesan.🍁

If you're spending a full day in Yesan, here’s the most peaceful and natural route I recommend. Start your morning at Sudeoksa Temple (πŸ‘‰ Check on Google Maps: μˆ˜λ•μ‚¬), soaking in its calm wooden architecture and forest air. After the temple visit, enjoy a simple but nourishing mountain vegetable bibimbap (산채비빔λ°₯) at one of the restaurants near the entrance — perfect after a quiet temple walk.


Metasequoia Road and Hwangto-gil trail in Yesan, Korea during autumn
The beautiful Metasequoia Road and connected Hwangto-gil trail — a perfect peaceful walk near Deoksan Oncheon.

Next, head over to the Metasequoia Road (πŸ‘‰ Check on Google Maps: 덕산메타세쿼이아길), just a few minutes away. There’s also a Hwangto-gil (ν™©ν† κΈΈ) trail connected to it — a reddish earth path that feels soft and grounding under your feet. It’s one of those places where you can walk without rushing, breathe deeply, and feel your mind settle.


πŸ’› Finish with Deoksan Oncheon Foot Bath

After a gentle forest walk, nothing feels better than warming your feet at the Deoksan Oncheon Foot Bath. Many visitors say the heat feels comforting after a long day of walking — a simple, cozy reset moment. 🌿

Note: This post is based on my personal visit and is for travel information only (not medical advice).


Best of all, this entire route — from Sudeoksa Temple to the Metasequoia walk and the Deoksan Oncheon Foot Bath — is almost completely free (except for lunch). It’s one of the most affordable and peaceful day trips you can enjoy in Yesan, perfect for travelers looking for a gentle, budget-friendly healing itinerary. πŸ’›



πŸ’œ A Small Note from History


Deoksan Oncheon has a history of more than 500 years, with records of its hot springs appearing in old documents such as the Sejong Sillok Jiriji (세쒅싀둝지리지, 1454) and Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (λ™κ΅­μ—¬μ§€μŠΉλžŒ, 1481). Later, the Confucian scholar Yi Yulgok (이율곑) also mentioned it in his 1583 work Chungbo (『좩보』).

According to that story, a crane with injured legs soaked its feet in the hot spring valley and soon recovered enough to fly away. When people went to the spot where the bird had rested, they found warm, smooth spring water bubbling up from the ground. From this, people began to believe in the healing power of Deoksan Oncheon’s water.

Source: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (AKS) — Deoksan Oncheon



πŸ’œ Final Thoughts — A Warm Break in Your Day


Sometimes during a trip, you need a moment to simply pause.

The Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath gives you exactly that — a free, effortless, and deeply relaxing break. Just 15 minutes of soaking warms your body, clears your mind, and helps you reconnect with the slower rhythm of the day.

If you’re visiting Yesan, don’t skip this quiet little oasis ^-^

With love,
Hangeulia πŸ’•



🌿 Explore More in the Sudeoksa Temple Series

If you're traveling around Yesan, these posts will help you explore Sudeoksa in the most meaningful way:



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