[Hiroshima] A Hidden Onsen Retreat 1 Hour from the City: Discover the Nostalgic "Yuki & Yunoyama" Hot Spring Village

• Table of Contents
• What is Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen?
• Yunoyama Onsenkan: A historic masterpiece of cold mineral springs and cascading baths (Utase-yu) dating back to the Edo period
• Morii Ryokan: The only remaining inn that preserves the atmosphere of the old therapeutic bathhouses
• Yuki Lodge: A stylish onsen resort that redefines the image of public lodging
• Masa no Hinoki-yu: A fragrant private cypress bath revived by the passion of the local community.
• Summary: From "Sightseeing Hiroshima" to "Healing Hiroshima."
• Access to Hiroshima from Tokyo & Kansai
• Access from Hiroshima Station to Yuki Lodge

What is Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen?

Located at the foot of the Chugoku Mountains, Yuki and Yunoyama Onsen are quiet hot spring resorts that have long been known as "Hiroshima's Oku sanctum." They have a long history, with Yuki Onsen said to date back approximately 1,500 years and Yunoyama Onsen approximately 1,200 years.

It is characterized by its colorless, transparent cold spring water, and is known for its promotion of blood circulation and warming the body from the inside out, thanks to the "cold spring bath," where you soak in the water at its natural temperature, and the "alternating bath," where you alternate between soaking in heated water.

We will introduce you to a famous hot spring that has long been loved by locals, located in the mountains surrounded by nature.

Yunoyama Onsenkan: A historic masterpiece of cold mineral springs and cascading baths (Utase-yu) dating back to the Edo period

Yunoyama Onsenkan, located in a quiet village in the mountains, an hour from Hiroshima City, is one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Yunoyama Onsen. It has been loved by many people for many years as a therapeutic hot spring resort for the common people.

The unique feature of this hot spring is the "cascading water" that flows powerfully down from a bedrock 4 meters above ground. The cold spring water is 23.5°C and is used as is, so the pressure of the water hitting your shoulders and back provides a pleasant stimulation.

The indoor baths in the building are heated, and connoisseurs enjoy "alternating baths," where you warm up thoroughly in water at around 41°C, and then take a dip in the cooler waterfall. The alternating hot and cold baths are said to improve blood circulation and make the body feel lighter.

One of the attractions of this bath is that you can easily drop in and purchase a ticket from the ticket machine when you enter. There is also a drinking fountain outside, and it is said that drinking the water before or after bathing will heal your body from the inside out. With its charming, old-fashioned, rustic appearance, this is a popular hot spring that is frequented daily by locals.

Just above the hot springs facility is Yunoyama Myojin Shrine, and from its grounds you can see the actual hot spring source. Three small bathtubs carved into the rock line the grounds, and you can still feel the presence of people who once came here to seek medical treatment and soak in the hot springs.

Yunoyama Onsenkan

471 Wada, Yukicho, Saeki-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture, 738-...

Yunoyama Onsen was discovered about 1,200 years ago and is a hot spring resort built in 1750 during the Edo period by Hiroshima Yoshinaga, the lord of Hiroshima. Located at the Oku of the park is Yunoyama Onsenkan. The famous feature here is the waterfall bath that flows down from a bedrock 4 meters above ground. The waterfall baths are cold, with the source being 23.5 degrees, but they are said to be good for relieving stiff shoulders and neuralgia. The indoor bath is heated to 41 degrees, so after sweating in the indoor bath, you can take a cool shower. Alternating between the two baths feels incredibly comfortable and refreshes your mind. There are many fans of this quaint Yunoyama Onsen who have been visiting for many years.

Morii Ryokan: The only remaining inn that preserves the atmosphere of the old therapeutic bathhouses

Yunoyama Onsen was once a hot spring town with 37 inns lined up, bustling with visitors seeking therapeutic baths. Of these, the only one that remains today is Morii Ryokan. This warm wooden inn has been run by the Morii family for four generations since its founding.

Reservations are required and only two groups are allowed per day. The interior is enveloped in the scent of wood, creating a nostalgic atmosphere, like returning to grandma's house. In addition to overnight stays, the popular plan is the "Day Trip Hot Springs and Meal Plan." Warm up in the bath, enjoy home-cooked meals made with local ingredients, and relax in a tatami room... you can spend your time in luxury.

There is only one family bath, but the water is heated for each group individually and replaced after each use, in a careful style. The bath area has two bathtubs, one with cold spring water from the source and one with heated water, and you can enjoy alternating baths here as well. You can rent the bathtub exclusively for about an hour at a time and enjoy a relaxing bath.

Outside the inn, there is also a foot bath managed by Morii Ryokan. There are "doctor fish" kept in the small bathtub, and when you put your feet in, they peck at the dead skin that has softened in the hot spring. It was so ticklish that I couldn't help but laugh.

There is no set fee for this foot bath, and visitors can donate any amount they like into the box at the entrance. It's a heartwarming spot that tourists can easily drop into.

Morii Ryokan

465 Wada, Yuki-cho, Saeki-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 73...

This homely inn has a total of five rooms, and guests can enjoy the simple, weakly radioactive (radon) spring water directly from the source of Yunoyama Onsen. Recommended for those who want to spend a relaxing time in a quiet natural environment, along with homemade country cuisine.

Yuki Lodge: A stylish onsen resort that redefines the image of public lodging

Located a short distance into the mountains from Yunoyama Onsen, Yuki Lodge is a public accommodation facility run by Hiroshima City. The inn's striking modern design makes use of the warmth of wood and the brightness of glass. It's clean, comfortable, and has a warm atmosphere that welcomes travelers.

The hot springs in the hotel are heated from cold spring water. There are both indoor and outdoor baths, and in the low-temperature baths you can soak in the water straight from the source. The water is colorless, transparent, tasteless, and odorless, and is gentle on the skin, gently enveloping the body. In the outdoor bath, you can enjoy the sound of the river and the scenery of the mountains in all four seasons, allowing you to spend a peaceful time surrounded by a picturesque landscape.

On this trip, I stayed at Yuki Lodge. I spent a quiet night surrounded by the warmth of a Japanese-style room. There are also Western-style rooms with beds, so you can choose a room that suits your travel style.

Dinner is a sumptuous banquet featuring the bounty of the mountains and the river. All dishes are made with local vegetables and Yuki water and are rich in flavor. In the morning, a colorful buffet will help you recharge your energy for the day.

The site also features a foot bath, a direct sales store for local specialties, and a community center where experience events are held. As a "regional hot spring resort," it is a base for your stay where you can enjoy sightseeing and relaxation at the same time.

A day trip to the baths is enough to satisfy you, but if you have the chance, why not stay overnight and wake up in the open-air bath bathed in sunlight, and soak in the hot water at night while gazing at the starry sky? We recommend spending your time in luxury like this.

Yuki Lodge

2563-1 Tada, Yuki-cho, Saeki-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture,...

This hot spring inn offers a wide range of options, from day trips to overnight stays, with alkaline simple hot spring water containing natural radon flowing directly from the source. The inn also offers cuisine made with local ingredients and barrier-free guest rooms.

Masa no Hinoki-yu: A fragrant private cypress bath revived by the passion of the local community.

Just a few minutes' walk from Yuki Lodge, you can borrow the key from the Yuki Experience Center to enter the private open-air bath, "Masa no Hinokiyu."

For 4,000 yen per hour, up to six people can use the hot spring, allowing you to enjoy a private time with family and friends. Reservations are required and the hot springs are divided into hourly slots from 9:00 to 16:30. (Information as of October 2025)

This hot spring has been renovated from a place that was once loved by locals as a "free communal open-air bath and hot spring source." It was closed about 20 years ago due to a decline in tourists, but it has been revived by local people through crowdfunding.

The bathtubs and changing rooms are made with an abundance of cypress wood from Yuki Town, a town that once thrived as a forestry industry. The scent of cypress that fills the air the moment you open the door is truly blissful. Built directly where the hot spring springs out, it is possible to alternate between two baths, one with a cold spring at approximately 28°C and the other with heated water. Surrounded by the scent of cypress, you can surrender yourself to this bath that is imbued with the feelings of the local community. It is a "hot spring experience" that Hiroshima's mountain village can be proud of.

Yuki Onsen Yumoto Private Open-Air Bath "Makoto no Hinokiyu"

2667 Tada, Yuki Town, Saeki Ward Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture,...

This open-air bath has been revived in Yuki Onsen town for the first time in 19 years. The bathtub is made from cypress from Yuki town, which was cut down by celebrities such as Hiroiki Ariyoshi, who is originally from Hiroshima. As it is a private bath, you can relax and enjoy the hot spring water directly from the source in a private space.

Summary: From "Sightseeing Hiroshima" to "Healing Hiroshima."

Hiroshima is known for its World Heritage sites and gourmet food, but if you travel just a little further, you can enjoy a different side where a rich hot spring culture thrives. Yuki-Yunoyama Onsen is a hot spring resort where you can experience "hot springs that have been carefully preserved by human hands."

There's another side to Hiroshima that you won't notice if you're just visiting as a tourist. If you're staying for a few days, be sure to add some time spent in a hot spring to your travel plans. Relaxing in a hot spring in the quiet mountains is sure to create unforgettable memories during your holiday in Hiroshima.

Click here for a column on sightseeing in the area

Access to Hiroshima from Tokyo & Kansai

[By Shinkansen]

It takes about 4 hours from Tokyo to Hiroshima Station by Shinkansen, and about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Osaka to Hiroshima Station by Shinkansen.

From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Itsukaichi Station (approximately 20 minutes), then transfer to the Hiroden bus bound for Yuki Lodge from Itsukaichi Station.

[If traveling by plane]

It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Haneda Airport to Hiroshima.

From Hiroshima, take the limousine bus to Hiroshima Station (approximately 45 minutes). From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Main Line and get off at Itsukaichi Station. From Itsukaichi Station, transfer to the Hiroden bus bound for Yuki Lodge for a convenient route.

Access from Hiroshima Station to Yuki Lodge

[Hiroshima Electric Railway Bus (fee required)]

Fare: 1,000 yen one way

Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes (varies depending on traffic conditions)

Boarding location: JR Sanyo Main Line/ Hiroshima Miya Island"Itsukaichi Station South Exit"

Destination: Bus bound for "Yuki Lodge"

[Last bus departure time] Weekdays: 19:30 Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 18:40 *As of October 2025

From the bus window, you can enjoy the changing scenery from Hiroshima city to the mountains. After relaxing in the hot springs, you can take your time on the return journey.

[For Yuki Lodge guests: Free shuttle bus (reservation required)]

Operating days: Weekdays only *Not operating on weekends, holidays, Golden Week, Obon, or New Year's holidays

Price: Free

Eligible: Yuki Lodge guests only (reservations required)

Travel time: Approximately 50 minutes

Boarding and disembarking location: Designated point 3 minutes on foot from the north exit of JR Hiroshima Station

Capacity: Up to 28 people

[Operating Schedule] Departing from JR Hiroshima Station North Exit → 13:30 Departing from Yuki Lodge → 12:00 *As of October 2025

[How to make a reservation] Please make a reservation in advance with Yuki Lodge when using the facility.

Yuki Lodge Official Website

[If you are going by car (reference)]

Route: Approximately 60 minutes from central Hiroshima City via National Route 433

Parking: Free parking available (in front of Yuki Lodge and Onsenkan)