Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Located about an hour's drive from central Hiroshima City, Yuki・Yunoyama Onsenkyo designated as a national health resort. It's a hidden gem, teeming with nature and a rich cold spring culture, where you can enjoy hot spring tours, farm experiences, and trekking. We'll introduce you to the charms of Hiroshima that are a little different from the "standard Hiroshima sightseeing."

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National hot spring resorts are designated by the Minister of the Environment under the Hot Springs Act as healthy hot spring resorts where the benefits of hot spring use are expected to be sufficient. 79 hot spring resorts have been designated nationwide (as of October 2024). National hot spring resorts are selected based on the following criteria. 1. Conditions regarding the quality and volume of hot spring water (1) The source of the hot spring water used must be a therapeutic spring. (2) The hot spring water used must have an abundant volume of water. The standard volume of water flow must be 0.5 liters per minute or more per hot spring user. 2. Conditions regarding the environment of the hot spring resort (1) The hot spring is suitable as a resort from the perspective of the natural environment, townscape, history, climate, culture, etc. (2) A plan for the placement of doctors who can provide guidance on proper hot spring use and health management from a medical perspective, or a plan for the placement or training policy of personnel who can provide guidance on bathing methods, etc. in cooperation with the doctors, must be established. (3) Appropriate efforts will be made to protect hot spring resources, manage the hygiene of hot springs, promote public use of hot springs, and take into consideration the elderly and disabled, etc. (4) Enhanced efforts to prevent disasters.

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Yunoyama Onsenkan and Morii Ryokan - Relaxing time watched over by the guardian deity of the hot springs

Yuki・Yunoyama Onsenkyo , also known as " Hiroshima's Oku sanctum," has a long history, with Yuki Onsen said to date back approximately 1,500 years and Yunoyama Onsen approximately 1,200 years. It is said that Yuki Onsen began when an injured egret was discovered soaking in the hot springs to heal its wounds.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Yunoyama Onsen, located about 10 minutes by car from Yuki Onsen, is a historic hot spring resort that flourished as a therapeutic hot spring resort for the lord of Hiroshima during the Edo period. It is a historic hot spring resort that has been visited by many people since ancient times to heal the body and mind.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Yunoyama Daimyojin Shrine is located in the center of Yunoyama Onsen. It has long been worshipped as the guardian deity of hot springs, and even now, hot spring water gushes forth from the source Oku within the shrine grounds.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Yunoyama Onsenkan, located next to the shrine, is a hot spring facility known for its famous waterfall baths. The popular "alternating bath" is an indoor bath where you alternate between heated 23.5 degree cold spring water and the cold spring water straight from the source.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

After tightening your body in the cold water, soaking in the warm water again will stimulate blood flow and refresh you from the inside out.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Currently, the only places in this area where you can bathe are Yunoyama Onsenkan and Morii Ryokan, run by the fourth-generation Morii couple. Both continue to carefully protect the charm of the hot springs while retaining the atmosphere of an old-fashioned hot spring resort.

Yunoyama Onsenkan

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

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.

Click here for the hot spring introduction column

Sagotani Farm (Kubo Agri Farm): Taste fresh milk and nature's bounty in the mountains of Hiroshima

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Before heading to Yuki/Yunoyama Onsen, we recommend stopping by Sagotani Farm(Kubo Agri Farm ).

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

The cows are raised in a relaxed environment surrounded by the clear air, pure water, and clean pastures of Saeki Ward Ward , Hiroshima City . On the premises, there is a gelato workshop called "Altopiano" that uses raw milk, where you can enjoy the rich taste of freshly squeezed milk while looking out over the pastures.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

They have a wide variety of seasonal flavors, and their limited edition gelato made with local vegetables and fruits is very popular. They also hold hands-on programs such as milking milk and making butter, making it a tourist spot that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Sagotani Farm(Kubo Agri Farm)

Sagotani Farm(Kubo Agri Farm)

1207-2 Shirasuna, Yuki-cho, Saeki-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefec...
This farm is located in Yukicho, Saeki Ward, Hiroshima City. The cows are raised in a relaxed environment with clear air, delicious water, and clean pasture. The farm is also home to Altopiano, a gelato workshop that uses raw milk, where you can enjoy delicious gelato while looking out over the pastures. The farm also sells local vegetables and offers hands-on experiences such as milking cows and making butter.

Yuki Lodge: A moment of relaxation with hot springs surrounded by nature.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Surrounded by a quiet forest, Yuki Lodge is like a hub for the Yuki Onsen area, where you can enjoy hot springs, meals, and local experiences all in one place.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

The hot spring is a colorless, clear cold spring that is heated and poured directly into the bath without adding water. There is an indoor bath and an open-air bath, both of which are spacious, allowing you to soak in the water while enjoying the seasonal views of the mountains and the murmuring of the Minauchi River.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

You can stay overnight or just take a day trip to the baths. At the restaurant in the hotel, you can enjoy wild game dishes made with locally caught wild boar. The most popular dish is the juicy "wild boar hamburger" with no unpleasant odor. This dish is characterized by its tender meat and deep flavor.

Yuki Lodge

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.

Konnyaku Saika Yukino-an- "Mountain gourmet" created by the pure waters of Yuki.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Located across from Yuki Lodge is Konnyaku Saika Yukino-an, a konnyaku specialty restaurant run by Fujitoshi Foods, a long-established company founded in Showa. Guests can enjoy Yuki's specialty Sashimi Konjac , affectionately known as " Yamafugu ," as well as homemade konnyaku made with the region's abundant natural waters.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

The groundwater in Yukicho is rich in minerals and so clear that giant salamanders live there. It is this pure water that gives the konjac its bouncy texture and gentle flavor.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

"Sanzoku Kushiyaki" is a savory grilled dish made with country konjac and chicken seasoned with dashi, and is very satisfying.

On the other hand, the white, translucent Sashimi Konjac has a firm texture and a refreshing taste.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Both take-out and eat-in options are available, and the store also sells the unique "Giant Salamander Konjac." This product was developed in collaboration with local high school students, and is imbued with the desire to "revitalize the town of Yuki."

Konnyaku Saika Yukino-an

Konnyaku Saika Yukino-an

2576-3 Tada, Yuki-cho, Saeki-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture,...
Located in Yukicho, Saeki Ward, Hiroshima City, this restaurant and direct sales store is directly operated by konjac manufacturer Fujitoshi Foods. They offer unique dishes such as "Konjac Ramen," "Sashimi Konjac Set Meal," and "Sanzoku Kushiyaki" (grilled skewers) using locally produced konjac. The konjac is fermented using the natural groundwater unique to Yukicho, a town with clear streams, and has a mild odor and a firm texture. It's the perfect place for a tourist lunch or to buy souvenirs.

Mt. Omine Trekking: Enjoy superb views and an extraordinary experience at Hiroshima's highest peak

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Mt. Omine , towering over the Yuki・Yunoyama Onsenkyo , is the highest mountain in Hiroshima City at 1,050 meters above sea level. Although it is called a mountain climb, it is only about an hour one way, and guided tours that even beginners can participate in with peace of mind are popular.

The moist moss, the soft sunlight filtering through the trees, the smell of damp soil... one of the joys of this trek is enjoying the unique charms of Japanese mountains as you walk.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

The higher you climb, the wider the view becomes, and a 360-degree panoramic view awaits you at the summit. On a clear day, you can see not only Miya Island, but also the Chugoku Mountains and the distant mountains of Kyushu. Enjoying Yuki's special snacks and coffee (Omine Blend) inspired by Mt. Omine in front of the breathtaking view is an exceptional experience.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

One of the fun things to do is take a break in a hammock on the way down. The guide will provide you with careful support, so it is popular even with first-time mountain climbers.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Tours can be booked at the Yuki Experience Center , located next to Yuki Lodge . The fee is 8,000 yen (includes guide fee, insurance, and hot spring bath ticket). The tour meets in front of Yuki Lodge and starts at 10:30 a.m. It's a half-day course. (Information current as of October 2025)
This is an activity that allows you to take a deep breath in nature and refresh your body and mind.

In the summer, we recommend even more active experiences! You can enjoy "Oku Yuki Shower Climbing" and "Yuki Adventure E-MTB Tour," where you can climb waterfalls and jump into the pool while going upstream along the clear waters of the Minauchi River.

Yuki Experience Center

Yuki Experience Center

2563-1 Oaza Tada, Yuki-cho, Saeki-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima 738-072...
Located in Yukicho, Saeki Ward , Hiroshima City , this outdoor base offers a Toyotomi of nature experience programs, including river swimming, waterfall climbing, and e-bikes. Along with the adjacent accommodation facility, Yuki Lodge, there are facilities for families and groups to enjoy for the day, including BBQ, camping, cooking experiences, and a local product market.

Masa-no-Hinokiyu- A fragrant private bath created by the community's passion

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Located right next to Yuki Lodge, "Masa-no-Hinokiyu Hinokiyu" is a special private open-air bath that has been restored by local people. Once a public bath beloved by locals as "Yumoto," it was closed down about 20 years ago, but was reborn with the support of crowdfunding.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

The bathtubs and changing rooms are made with an abundance of cypress wood from Yuki Town. The moment you open the door, the scent of wood fills the air and the sound of the spring gushing forth will quietly envelop your soul. There are two baths, one with heated water and one with cold water straight from the source, so you can surrender yourself to the sounds and scents of nature while enjoying alternating hot and cold baths.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

It costs 4,000 yen per hour (for a maximum of 6 people) and is available for private use (as of October 2025). Keys can be picked up at the Yuki Experience Center , located next to Yuki Lodge .

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

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.

bonus

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Right next to Masa-no-Hinokiyu is SOZORO, a stylish cafe with a woody aroma. It is popular for Hiroshima ramen and dishes made with local ingredients.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

The owner, a woman with over 20 years of experience living in India and Greece, is fluent in English and is friendly to both domestic and international travelers, providing delicious food and a comfortable stay.

Restaurant Sozoro

Restaurant Sozoro

2666 Tada, Yukicho, Saeki Ward Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 7...
We offer dishes that mainly feature Hiroshima oysters and wild boar from Hiroshima, and also use plenty of ingredients from Yuki Town.

summary

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

Just one hour from Hiroshima City, Yuki-Yunoyama Onsen is a small, relaxing town that offers not only hot springs, but also nature, food, and experiences. Konjac and milk grown in pure water, hot springs that have been protected by the hands of local people, and the expansive mountain scenery—all of these offer a special experience that can only be experienced here.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and embark on a journey surrounded by nature and the warmth of people. On your next trip to Hiroshima, be sure to visit Yuki and Yunoyama Onsen.

Access from Tokyo & Kansai to Hiroshima

[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

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.

Hiroshima Hidden Gem: A Healing Day Trip to Yuki & Yunoyama Onsen

[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)

National hot spring resorts are designated by the Minister of the Environment under the Hot Springs Act as healthy hot spring resorts where the benefits of hot spring use are expected to be sufficient. 79 hot spring resorts have been designated nationwide (as of October 2024). National hot spring resorts are selected based on the following criteria. 1. Conditions regarding the quality and volume of hot spring water (1) The source of the hot spring water used must be a therapeutic spring. (2) The hot spring water used must have an abundant volume of water. The standard volume of water flow must be 0.5 liters per minute or more per hot spring user. 2. Conditions regarding the environment of the hot spring resort (1) The hot spring is suitable as a resort from the perspective of the natural environment, townscape, history, climate, culture, etc. (2) A plan for the placement of doctors who can provide guidance on proper hot spring use and health management from a medical perspective, or a plan for the placement or training policy of personnel who can provide guidance on bathing methods, etc. in cooperation with the doctors, must be established. (3) Appropriate efforts will be made to protect hot spring resources, manage the hygiene of hot springs, promote public use of hot springs, and take into consideration the elderly and disabled, etc. (4) Enhanced efforts to prevent disasters.

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