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Atsumi Onsen’s origins trace back 1200 years ago. Several legends converge to the same point in history but all offer a different version of Atsumi Onsen’s origins. They all have in common the healing properties of Atsumi’s hot water: rich in sodium, calcium and sulfates; it is said to be particularly effective for healing wounds, cuts and chronic fatigue. Along the banks of the Atsumi river, in front of the several inns and ryokan, over a hundred cherry trees give an enchanting view in late April/early May, but also has many surprises to give during other seasons: ayu sweetfish fishing in summer and trouts going up the river in autumn.

In Atsumi Onsen, you’ll find three communal foot baths: “Anbe-yu,” “Mosshe-yu,” and “Mokke-yu,” each offering the soothing benefits of the hot spring waters. Of special interest is the charming “Chitto Mosshe” foot bath cafe, which is affiliated with “Mosshe-yu.” This elegant cafe, coupled with an adjacent art gallery, offers a tranquil atmosphere where you can savor unique beverages and delectable sweets. The cafe also showcases the creations of local textile artists and handmade crafts, adding to its distinctive appeal.

Atsumi Onsen, once beloved by nobility and commoners alike, has a rich and welcoming atmosphere. It has a long history as a hot spring resort and has left behind the warm hospitality it has extended to numerous guests in its inns and morning markets. The historic morning market offers local products like Atsumi kabu (turnips) and textiles made of tree bark (Shinaori), as well as fresh mountain vegetables.

Hikers will like to venture inside Mt. Atsumi-dake’s forests, a challenging 2.5 hours (one-way) which will give you a breathtaking view on the Shonai coasts once you have reached its top. The main hiking entrance is a 5 min. walk from the Atsumi Onsen. From June to October, the rose park in front of the Kumano shrine allows visitors to see more than 90 rose species  (peak season: June); while savoring a delicious rose-shaped ice cream.

List of hotels/ryokan/inns

Hotels/ryokan

Name	Phone number	Capacity (persons)	Address	Daytime bathing
Tachibanaya	0235-43-2211	403	Atsumi-cho 3	Yes
Kashiwaya	0235-43-2011	25	Atsumi-ko 191	Yes (600 yen)
Kuon	0235-43-4119	222	Atsumi-ji Yunojiri 83-3	Prior phone call necessary
Bankokuya	0570-00-8598	580	Atsumi-cho 1	No
Atsumiso	0235-43-2888	41	Atsumi-ko 188	No
Azumaya	0235-43-2345	24	Atsumi-ko 171	Yes (600 yen)
Takinoya Ryokan	0235-43-3025	54	Atsumi-ko 169	No

Legend has it that the origins of Yutagawa Onsen can be traced back to a period between 708 and 715 when villagers witnessed a white heron soothing its wounds in hot water. Another tale attributes the creation of the hot spring to a cow with an eye ailment that accidentally opened a hole in the ground, causing healing water to flow. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), Yutagawa Onsen gained favor as a destination for physical rejuvenation, particularly for the local lords, the Sakai Family. Commoners also frequented the town to unwind and celebrate after completing rigorous training at Dewa Sanzan. Located in proximity to Mt. Kinbo, a sacred mountain associated with Mt. Haguro during the 13th and 14th centuries, it was not unusual to encounter Yamabushi trainees in the baths of Yutagawa Onsen during that era.

Yutagawa Onsen is a charming and traditional hot spring village, characterized by its collection of small wooden bath houses situated around the Yuzusame-jinja Shrine and its 300 plum trees in the Plum Flower Park (blossom season: March/April). The baths are of modest size, and the guest rooms exude a peaceful ambiance, making it an ideal destination for families or couples in search of privacy and tranquility.

Yutagawa Onsen is the perfect place for hikers who wish to visit many little shrines hidden in nature or to climb Mt. Kinbo.

List of hotels/ryokan/inns

Hotels/ryokan

Name	Phone number	Capacity (persons)	Address
Kuhe Ryokan	0235-35-2777	70	Yutagawa Otsu 19
Yudonoan	0235-35-2200	24	Yutagawa Otsu 38
Tamaya	0235-35-3535	37	Yutagawa Otsu 39
Tsukasaya	0235-35-2301	57	Yutagawa Otsu 52
Ridayu Ryokan	0235-35-2888	40	Yutagawa Otsu 51
Hayato Ryokan	0235-35-3355	50	Yutagawa Otsu 56
Masuya Ryokan	0235-35-3211	35	Yutagawa Otsu 63
Yutagawa Senso	0235-35-3773	70	Yutagawa Otsu 13

Daytime bathing:

Daytime bathing is also possible in most establishments, but priority is given to overnight customers. Hence, please make sure with the establishments by phone if you can use their baths during daytime.

You can also use the public bath house “Shomen no Yu”, “Ta no yu”, or the footbaths “Shirasagi no yu” near the Yuzusame-jinja shrine.

Special souvenirs from Yutagawa Onsen: Just like in any onsen, you can buy “manju” cakes (sweet-red-beans-stuffed steamed wheat cakes) in Yutagawa Onsen. But Yutagawa’s manju are special in that they are shaped to remind the symbols of the town: breast-shaped manju (oppai-manju) to remind the “breasted-ginkgo tree” in front of the Yuzusame Shrine or  hyottoko buffoon-man face manju (hyottoko manju), to remind the local kagura festival. The 6-piece souvenir manju box costs 1500 yen (tax included). You can order one by asking Tsukasaya Ryokan prior to your arrival.

Main events:

🌸Plum blossom festival:

Late March to mid-April

🎍 Moso-bamboo festival:

Early May to mid-June

🐝 Fireflies festival:

Mid-June to Early July (Genji fireflies) Late June to Late July (Heike fireflies)

In September 2022, Yura Onsen in Tsuruoka received recognition as a “National Health Resort Hot Springs” (国民保養温泉地), becoming the latest hot spring town in the area to achieve this status. Yura Onsen is known for its distinctive feature, Hakusan-jima (Hakusan Islet), which is home to the Hakusan Shrine. A prominent bright red bridge connects the islet to the mainland, symbolizing the transition from the secular to the sacred.

Visitors to Yura Onsen can enjoy various attractions, including a fishing pond on the islet and the stunning sunset views from the beach, which are ranked among Japan’s top 100 most beautiful sunset spots. Yura’s beaches are also recognized as one of Japan’s 100 most scenic coastal destinations.

List of hotels/ryokan/inns

Hotels/ryokan

Name	Phone number	Capacity (persons)	Address
Hotel Yaotome	0235-73-3811	350	Yura 3-13-31
Hori Ryokan	0235-73-3158	25	Yura 2-3-33
Hotel Sunresort Shonai	0235-38-8088	76	Yura 3-17-20

Guesthouses/inns with an onsen

Name	Phone number	Address
Honma Giichi	0235-73-2552	Yura 2-3-24
Onsen Minshuku Ishikawa	0235-73-2472	Yura 2-20-18

Sunset time for reference:

(Please note that those times are purely indicative and not definitive, might differ according to the year or weather)

April: 18:01

May: 18:29

June: 18:56

July: 19:06

August: 18:49

September: 18:10

October: 17:23

November: 16:40

Suiden Terrasse, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, is celebrated for his contemporary wooden architectural designs. Nestled amidst rice fields, the terrace offers captivating vistas, with picturesque scenes as the sun sets and pristine white landscapes during winter. The facility boasts an onsen, a gym, a restaurant named RESTAURANT MOON TERRASSE, and a children’s playground is just around the corner.

Tokyo Dai-ichi Hotel Tsuruoka is a contemporary establishment situated just behind the “S-Mall” shopping center, a short distance from Tsuruoka Station. The rooms are furnished with European-style beds instead of traditional futons. Guests can enjoy a natural hot spring pool within the hotel premises. Conveniently positioned behind S-Mall, the hotel is right next to the S-Mall bus station, making it an excellent choice for accommodation if you intend to utilize the bus services.

“Yaotome” translates to “8 maidens” in Japanese. The term refers to the eight ladies who played a crucial role in aiding Prince Hachiko, the legendary founder of Dewa Sanzan, in reaching Mt. Haguro. Among these eight ladies, two were particularly attentive to Prince Hachiko, providing him with local fish and shellfish and hosting him in a cave in Yura. A statue commemorating these two ladies, “Miô” and “Ehime,” can be found near the beach.
Yaotome embodies this tradition of hospitality towards travelers by specializing in seafood. The cuisine at Yaotome highlights fresh fish served as sashimi and grilled fish and shellfish. Additionally, its outdoor baths are designed after the thermae of ancient Rome, adding to the overall experience of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Our hot spring boasts one of the highest rates of natural spring water circulation, not only within the prefecture but nationwide. It is a completely pure, “naturally flowing” hot spring, with no added water, temperature adjustments, or recirculation.

• For guests staying overnight, please borrow the key from your inn.

For those using the communal bath only, please pay the bathing fee at the store (Funami Shoten) and have them open the door for you.

Kuhe stands out as one of the most luxurious establishments in Yutagawa Onsen. Its interior captures Japan’s traditional sense of minimalism, creating a serene atmosphere. The cuisine at Kuhe beautifully showcases the richness of Yutagawa’s environment. Indulge in Kuhe’s refined dishes, featuring bamboo shoots, grilled fish, radish pickles, fresh vegetables, and more. Experience firsthand why the cuisine of Yutagawa Onsen is so cherished by its patrons.

Welcome to Yutagawa Onsen’s “Ridayu Ryokan,” a small ryokan with a long-established history since the Edo period and 10 guest rooms, built in the Showa architectural style. The interior is adorned with handmade fabric crafts by the landlady and retro sundries, creating a warm and charming atmosphere. The hot spring boasts a gentle touch, with the source flowing abundantly into round bathtubs. The water is untreated, offering an authentic spring experience. For meals, enjoy local dishes prepared by the landlady, featuring the seasonal delights of Yamagata’s mountains and seas. Ridayu aims to make your stay a relaxing and hospitable moment, treating you like family in the traditions of the inn.

Tsukasaya, located in Yutagawa Onsen, is a charming ryokan with a family-friendly atmosphere. The owners (Mr. & Mrs. Shoji) prioritize their cuisine, focusing on locally sourced and fresh ingredients, aiming to create an experience that feels like being part of a Japanese family. When it comes to exploring various types of local saké, Tsukasaya stands out in Yutagawa, offering diverse “kikizake” (Japanese saké tasting course) menus.

While this inn may have only eight rooms and may not appear large, the owners cherish the essence of seasonal cuisine and heartfelt hospitality.

Their pride lies in being an “onsen with natural spring water.” Hayato Ryokan leaves the spring water completely untouched, without any alterations or temperature adjustments.

For meals, they offer a traditional Japanese kaiseki course featuring local vegetables, seafood from the nearby ocean, and regional specialties from Shonai. Indulge in flavors unique to Yutagawa Onsen that you can only savor here.

Yudonoan stands as a luxurious ryokan nestled in Yutagawa Onsen. Its cocoon-like rooms seamlessly blend Japan’s traditional style with a touch of modern minimalism. Possesses rooms with European-style beds for your comfort.