From hot spring towns to hidden hot springs. Eight unique hot spring resorts in Yamagata and Yonezawa!

• Table of Contents
• The eight historic hot springs of Yonezawa
• 1. Yunosawa Onsen
• 2. Onogawa Onsen
• 3. Shirabu Onsen
• 4. Shintakayu Onsen
• 5. Odaira Onsen
• 6. Namegawa Onsen
• 7. Ubayu Onsen
• 8. Goshiki Onsen
• The scenery changes with the seasons! A trip to the hot springs in Yonezawa will never get boring.

The eight historic hot springs of Yonezawa

Yonezawa City in Yamagata Prefecture is the perfect place for a hot spring trip, with many unique hot springs gushing out from the grounds. The total of eight hot spring areas are collectively known as the Yonezawa Hatto, and each hot spring has a history of over several hundred years. In this article, we will introduce the eight hot spring areas and their representative inns. Be sure to enjoy the seasonal scenery and high-quality hot springs for a relaxing time.

1. Yunosawa Onsen

Yunosawa Onsen is a quiet hot spring resort on the outskirts of Yonezawa city. The low temperature spring water (approximately 27℃/80.6℉) warms you from the inside out and keeps you warm for a long time.

◆Yunosawa Onsen Toki no Yado Sumire

Toki no Yado Sumire, the only inn in Yunosawa, is an inn exclusively for couples. Spend a special time with your spouse, partner, friends, or family, enjoying our special cuisine. Relax and unwind in the cypress bath or open-air bath while taking in the seasonal scenery.

Address : 12703-4 Sekine, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-1205

Phone : 0238-35-2234

Toki no Yado Sumire official website is here

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Western-style room "Genji" (Interior design varies from room to room.)

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Indoor bath "Time and Light Bath"

Meal example

2. Onogawa Onsen

Onogawa Onsen is a hot spring resort with a history of about 1200 years, and is popular for its "beautiful skin hot springs." The hot spring town is also home to quaint inns and foot baths, and in early summer you can see beautiful fireflies. There are also many historical sites and tourist attractions nearby, making it an easy location to enjoy both hot springs and sightseeing at the same time.

Among the "Yonezawa Eight Hot Springs," Onogawa has the most accommodation facilities, with over 10 hot spring inns in operation. All of them have their own unique features, but in this article we will introduce "Azumasou," which renovated its guest rooms in 2024.

Onogawa Onsen Famous Hot Springs Inn Azuma-so

Equipped with a large communal bath and private baths, Azuma-so is a historic inn that has been loved as a hot spring resort since 1789. In the special rooms with hot springs, you can enjoy high-quality hot springs in a completely private space. In addition, you can stay with pets in the annex, Azuma-en. This is an inn where you can spend your time however you like, while being soothed by the hot springs and hospitality.

Address : 2471 Onogawacho, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0076

Phone : 0238-32-2311

Click here for the Azuma-so official website

The Azuma guest room, renovated in 2024

Semi-open-air bath in the guest room

Meal example

3. Shirabu Onsen

Shirabu Onsen has long been known as a therapeutic hot springs resort, with a history spanning more than 700 years. It is located at an altitude of 850 meters and is surrounded by rich nature. There are several inns lined up in the quiet mountain area, and you can enjoy a variety of attractions, including long-established inns and inns with large baths overlooking the valley.

In addition, the Tengendai Highlands are located nearby, offering plenty of ways to enjoy each season, such as trekking in the summer, viewing autumn leaves in the fall, and winter sports in the winter. The activities you can enjoy at the ski resort are also featured in the article below.

◆Shirabu Onsen Yutaki no Yado Nishiya

All three of the accommodations in Shirabu are long-established inns with a long history, but among them, Yutaki-no-Yado Nishiya is a hot spring inn that is particularly characterized by its atmospheric thatched roof building.

Nishiya's main building is said to have been built over 100 years ago, and its famous "Yutakiburo" bath over 300 years ago. As its name suggests, the "Yutakiburo" bath is unique to Shirabu, where you can bathe in the hot spring water that gushes out of the mountains like a waterfall. There are also private baths with internal locks, so it's perfect for those who want to spend some relaxing private time with family or close friends.

Each room is different in age and style. There are also plenty of rooms available for single guests. There is also a desk workspace, making it a great place for workcation.

Address : 1527 Seki, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-1472

Phone : 0238-55-2480

Nishiya official website

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"Yutaki Bath" with abundant hot water

Each room has a different look

Take a break by the hearth in the tea room or lobby

4. Shintakayu Onsen

Shintakayu Onsen is located at an altitude of 1,126m, and is known for its dynamic and spacious open-air baths. At the only inn there, Azumaya Ryokan, you can enjoy homely hospitality and local cuisine made with local ingredients.

◆ Shintakayu Onsen Azumaya Ryokan

Azumaya has five open-air baths where you can enjoy a spectacular view while bathing, all of which are 100% natural hot springs that flow directly from the source. This is an accommodation facility that offers a variety of unique baths, including the "View Open-Air Bath" that overlooks the dynamic Yonezawa mountains, and the "Root Bath" carved out of a 250-year-old "chestnut tree."
*Please note that day-use bathing is not available.

Address : 3934, Sekiyu-no-Irisawa, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-1472

Phone : 0238-55-2031

Click here for the official website of Azumaya Ryokan

Open-air bath with a view

Root bath

5. Odaira Onsen

To get to Odaira Onsen, drive through the mountains from Yonezawa Station, then walk for about 15 minutes from the parking lot at an altitude of about 1,200m. You can reach this secret hot spring by crossing a 20m-long suspension bridge. There is no reception for television or mobile phones, so you can spend your time at your own pace. Enjoy an immersive experience in nature, whether you're taking a walk, trekking, or sketching.

◆ Odaira Onsen Takimiya

Takimiya, the only inn in Odaira Onsen, is only open for six months of the year, from late April to early November, when there is no snow. This famous hot spring has long been said to be effective against gastrointestinal illnesses, and is characterized by its soft texture on the skin, so you don't need to use lotion after bathing. The open-air bath surrounded by nature will provide you with an exceptional experience.

Access [To the parking lot]
45 minutes by car from Yonezawa Station / 45 minutes by car from Yonezawa-Hachimanbara IC on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway *Pick-up service available from Yonezawa Station.
*The tour will be travelling on narrow mountain roads. Large vehicles are not permitted.
[From the parking lot to the inn]
It takes about 20 minutes of trekking. Please come in comfortable clothes and carry your luggage.
*There are no street lights from the parking lot to the inn, so please make sure you arrive before sunset and allow plenty of time.

Address : 12127 Riyama, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-1461

Phone : 0238-38-3360

Click here for the official Takimiya website

Rooms

Meal example

6. Namegawa Onsen

Namegawa Onsen is a hidden hot spring located in the mountains at an altitude of 850 meters in the west of Yonezawa City. It has a history of 220 years and has long been popular as a hot spring resort. Nearby is Namegawa Otaki Falls, which was selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan, making it a hot spring resort where you can fully enjoy nature.

◆ Namegawa Onsen Fukushimaya

Fukushimaya is a hot spring inn that has been in operation for 14 generations, and is a long-established establishment with many long-time guests. Because the area is subject to heavy snowfall, you can only stay there from late April to late October when there is no snow. Please come and experience the experience that can only be had at a hidden hot spring, surrounded by nature.

Address : 15 Osawa, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-1303

Phone : 0238-34-2250

Fukushimaya official website

front

River side rooms

Indoor bath

7. Ubayu Onsen

Ubayu Onsen is located in the mountains at an altitude of 1,300 meters in the northwest of Yonezawa City, and is the highest hidden hot spring in Yamagata Prefecture. Masugataya, built in an area surrounded by cliffs on three sides, is attractive for its unparalleled scenery. The view of autumn leaves and starry skies from the open-air bath surrounded by impressive rocks and cliffs is spectacular.

Masugataya

Address : 1 Osawa Ubayu, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-1303

Phone : 090-7797-5934

Masugataya official website

8. Goshiki Onsen

Goshiki Onsen is named after the five-colored steam that rises from the hot springs. It is the only auto campground in the Hattokai area, and you can also take a day trip to the baths or just use the sauna. In addition to the hot springs, you can also enjoy outdoor activities.

Goshiki Onsen Auto Campsite

Address : 498 Itaya, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-1331

Phone : 0238-34-2510

Goshiki Onsen Auto Campground official website

The scenery changes with the seasons! A trip to the hot springs in Yonezawa will never get boring.

Yonezawa has eight unique hot springs, each with beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons, so you can experience something new every time you visit and enjoy a relaxing time.

Being surrounded by abundant nature, Yonezawa is known for its many hidden hot springs, which are worthy of the term "secret places." Why not enjoy a special hot spring trip to Yonezawa?