Saginoyu Onsen Guide: Experience the "Salt Veil" for Silky Smooth Skin — Day Trips & Overnight Stays

• Table of Contents
• Healing Waters of San'in: What is Saginoyu Onsen?
• Quick Soaks or Deep Relaxation: Best Bathing Spots for Day Trips and Stays
• A Luxurious Escape: Discover the Ultimate Hot Spring Experience at Saginoyu-so
• Access information

Healing Waters of San'in: What is Saginoyu Onsen?

Saginoyu Onsen is located in Yasugi City Shimane Prefecture , Shimane Prefecture, on the border with Tottori Prefecture . It is a hidden hot spring in the Sanin region that can be reached from Tokyo in about an hour and a half by air, or in about 11 and a half hours on the Izumo Izumo sleeper express train.

The hot spring was discovered about 1,300 years ago and is said to have been named "Sagi no Yu" (Heron no Yu) after the legend that a white heron descended upon the hot spring and healed a wound in the leg.

Its greatest feature is its spring quality, which is rare even in Japan: a weakly radioactive sodium-calcium chloride-sulfate hot spring. This means that the hot spring contains a gas called radon.

Radon emits small amounts of radiation, which is said to have the effect of promoting metabolism and regulating the autonomic nervous system. It is also said to be effective for treating cuts and skin diseases.

In addition, the salt contained in the hot spring creates a thin film on the body after bathing, which helps prevent chills and keeps your skin feeling warm and moisturized.

Hot spring lovers will be thrilled with the abundant hot spring water, which gushes out at 1,100 liters per minute. Thanks to the high temperature of the source, around 50 degrees, the water is at a comfortable temperature by the time it reaches the bathtub. This means that you can enjoy a leisurely soak in the hot spring water, which flows directly from the source without adding water or heating.

Yasugi City , where Saginoyu Onsen is located, is also a city steeped in history and art.

There are many tourist spots where you can experience history, culture, and art, such as the Gassan Toda Castle Ruins Ruins, which once flourished as the center of Izumo Province; the Dojo-sukui (Loach scooping) Yasugibushi, famous for its loach scooping dance that developed from the end of the Edo period through the Meiji era; and the Adachi Museum of Art of Art, known for its best gardens in Japan.

Saginoyu Onsen has been designated as a " National Hot Spring Recreation Area ," a designation given only to hot spring areas that meet a variety of criteria, including not only the quality and quantity of the hot spring water, but also the surrounding environment, history, and climate. To date, the area has welcomed many people and provided them with healing.

Quick Soaks or Deep Relaxation: Best Bathing Spots for Day Trips and Stays

You can drop in and take a quick bath, or you can stay overnight and enjoy the hot springs at your leisure.

We will introduce some recommended bathing spots at Saginoyu Onsen, where you can spend your time in a variety of ways depending on your itinerary.

"Yumeland Shirasagi" where you can use the pool on weekends, holidays, and during summer vacation

Yumeland Shirasagi is a bathing spot that also serves as a lodging facility. Day-trip bathing is available from 10:00 to 20:30, making it a great place for those returning from sightseeing or those enjoying the Nakadomari.

When you enter the building, you will first be greeted by a spacious souvenir shop and the front desk. If you are a day trip bather, purchase a bathing ticket from the ticket machine next to the front desk.

The indoor bath, open-air bath, and sauna can all be used for the reasonable price of 550 yen for adults. As long as you stay inside the facility, you can bathe as many times as you like in one day.

As soon as you step into the large public bath, you'll be greeted by glass windows letting in plenty of sunlight and crystal clear hot spring water. The hot spring water is clear and gentle on the skin, making you want to soak up to your shoulders.

The outdoor bath has a completely different atmosphere, a good old Japanese-style stone bath. Because it gets plenty of sunlight, it's a comfortable temperature even in winter.

The heated pool is also available on weekends, holidays, and during the summer holidays. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy a variety of water activities, including water slides, reclining baths, mist saunas, and bubble baths.

Recommended for families, friends, and couples, this is a hot spring spot that you can drop in to casually.

Yume Land Shirasagi

835 Furukawa-cho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, 692-0064

This spot offers day trips to Sagi-no-Yu Onsen, swimming pool use, and even overnight stays. The facility is divided into an area for bathing in swimsuits and a hot spring area, and is bustling with families on weekends. Hot spring visitors can also use the sauna, making it a popular rest spot with regulars. It is connected to Fureai Plaza by a walkway, making it easy to get around even on rainy days.

"Fureai Plaza" - Warm yourself from the inside out

Fureai Plaza is a bathing facility adjacent to Yumeland Shirasagi.

The building is connected by a corridor, making it perfect for those who want to take turns visiting different baths.

Fureai Plaza has a large public bath, an open-air bath, and a popular sauna called the Maifan Stone Sauna. It was named after the Maifan stone that is native to Wulian County, Shandong Province, China. The heat from the slowly heated stones envelops your entire body, allowing you to work up a comfortable sweat. Enjoy a relaxing time in addition to the hot springs.

The bathing fee is a reasonable 550 yen for adults. There is also a tatami-floored area where you can take a rest after bathing.

Before entering the bath, be sure to drink a glass of water. The slightly alkaline spring water will make you sweat from the core of your body, so be sure to stay hydrated.

The spacious large public bath is perfect for those who want to take their time in the bath. You can enjoy a luxurious hot spring experience by choosing from the indoor bath, open-air bath, and sauna as you like.

If the bath is available, you can also reserve a private bath for one hour. This is recommended for families with small children and couples.

Saginoyu Onsen Fureai Plaza

848 Furukawacho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, 692-0064

The large public bath, open-air bath, and sauna are available for use with a day-use bathing fee. There is also a tatami-floored area where you can relax and unwind after your bath. It is connected to Yume Land Shirasagi by a walkway.

Take a break in the lush open-air bath at "Chikuyo"

Located right next to the Adachi Museum of Art, renowned for having the best gardens in Japan, Chikuyo is an inn where you can not only stay overnight, but also take a day trip to the baths and have lunch.

For day visitors, the indoor and outdoor baths are available for 700 yen for junior high school students and above, and the private baths are available for 2,800 yen for 50 minutes.

The tiled indoor bath has a calming atmosphere where you can soak and relieve fatigue. The hot water bubbles up quietly from inside and circulates to ensure an even heat distribution.

After warming up in the indoor bath, we headed to the open-air bath. The bath, surrounded by greenery, was spacious and tasteful. The bathtub was also made of stone, and we enjoyed a sensation similar to a foot massage.

The meals at Chikuyo are colorful and made with plenty of organic vegetables, fruits, and local rice.

Furthermore, we can also accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and halal dishes that do not use animal ingredients (reservations required), making this an inn that can be used with peace of mind by foreign visitors tourists.

If you stay overnight, be sure to check out the room designed after the Sengoku warlord, Yamanaka Shikane. The room, decorated with custom-made armor and ink paintings, is impressive and powerful.

In front of the inn, there is also a "Kaoyu" (face bath) where you can receive steam from the hot spring on your face. Anyone can use this spot for free, so be sure to enjoy the natural beauty steam experience.

Chikuyo

438 Furukawacho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, 692-0064

This inn is located next to the Adachi Museum of Art. It is open for lunch and offers specially prepared dishes that are vegetarian and halal (reservations required). In addition to staying overnight, you can also take a day trip to the baths and enjoy a relaxing soak in the Saginoyu hot springs.

Saginoyu Onsen Yasugien: Enjoy warm hospitality and a unique worldview

Saginoyu Onsen Yasugien, which has a giant Hyottoko hanging at the entrance, is a hotel where you can enjoy warm and friendly hospitality.

Currently, the baths at Yasugien are only available to guests staying overnight, meaning you can enjoy the hot springs at your leisure 24 hours a day.

When you step into the bath to soothe your travel fatigue, you will be overwhelmed by the worldview that makes you feel as if you have entered a storybook world.

The bridge that leads to the indoor bath invites us into the hot spring village. Behind the noren curtain, we can see the changing room, surrounded by trees.

The entrance to the bath is designed to look like a thatched roof, which piques your curiosity.

As you step inside, you'll see a tiled roof that makes you feel as if time has stopped in the Edo period! In the soft light, you can relax in the magnificent stone bathtub.

I was able to warm my body thoroughly while listening to the sound of the hot spring water flowing endlessly.

It is recommended to use the open-air bath after warming up in the indoor bath. If you warm up enough in the indoor bath that your forehead becomes sweaty, even the cold winter air will feel comfortable.

The rustic open-air bath blends in well with the garden, and it is especially recommended to bathe during daylight hours so you can enjoy the scenery.

The best seasons for Saginoyu Onsen are spring, when the flowers begin to sprout, and autumn, when the leaves turn beautiful colors. Yasugien also offers hot spring treatments for up to two nights. Why not take advantage of this season, which is also perfect for sightseeing, and embark on a journey to heal your mind and body?

Yasugien

478 Furukawa-cho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, 692-0064

This hot spring inn is located in Saginoyu Onsen town. A large Hyottoko monument is the landmark. The homey atmosphere and spacious baths where you can relax will touch the hearts of travelers.

A Luxurious Escape: Discover the Ultimate Hot Spring Experience at Saginoyu-so

Your stay at Saginoyu Onsen will be at Sagi Saginoyuso, where you can bathe in natural hot springs all night long. The experience begins with a luxurious check-in, choosing a yukata, and enjoying coffee in the lounge.

I stayed in a luxurious Japanese-style room with my own private open-air bath. There was also an outdoor foot bath, creating a relaxing space perfect for reminiscing on my travels.

The sweets placed on the table were "Loach Scooping Manju," a famous confectionery featuring gently sweet white bean paste and designed to represent the traditional " Dojo-sukui (Loach scooping) Dance" of Yasugi City .

The "Otsukigashi" sweets are placed there to prevent hypoglycemia and dizziness while bathing, so it's a good idea to eat them before getting in the bath.

Before dinner, enjoy a little bath in the open-air bath in your room. The hot spring water flows endlessly, but you can also adjust the temperature by adding cold water. Listening to the soothing sound of the water, you will feel as if your fatigue is melting away.

Thanks to the spring water's properties, which are effective in relieving fatigue and treating poor circulation, even a short bath will deeply soothe your mind and body. Even just soaking your feet in the footbath next to the open-air bath will slowly release the fatigue you've accumulated during your travels.

At Saginoyuso, you can enjoy both breakfast and dinner in a private room.

The sumptuous dishes, which feature winter flavors such as "Yuzuan-grilled Pacific saury," "Stir-fried pork cubes and vegetables," and "Fried taro root," are so delicious that you can't help but exclaim in admiration.

In particular, the Wagyu Beef and Mushroom Hot Pot allows you to enjoy the fine fat of Wagyu beef, with the flavor of the ingredients dissolving into the soup and the tenderly stewed beef melting in your mouth.

The rice pot, packed with ingredients, was slowly cooked for about 20 minutes before being completed. The flavors of the rice and maitake mushrooms combined to create a refined sweetness.

The pumpkin pudding for dessert was smooth and had just the right amount of sweetness, leaving me feeling happy until the very end.

One of the biggest pleasures of your stay is touring hot springs, which is the main part of the trip. There are four types of baths available at Saginoyuso: "Shiratsuyu" and "Gantsuyu," which can be reserved for private use, as well as the large indoor bath and open-air bath.

The private baths can be used for 50 minutes by reservation from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Between 10:00 PM and 9:00 AM the following day, you can bathe at any time if there is availability. The large public bath is open 24 hours a day, so it's a good idea to check in early and enjoy the hot springs to the fullest.

The large bath, with glass walls on two sides, is spacious enough for you to stretch out and relax. The fan-shaped indoor bath is constantly filled with hot spring water.

Once your toes are loosened, it's time to enjoy the open-air bath. Open the outer door and you'll find a magnificent open-air bath with a panoramic view of the countryside!

With the nature of Shimane spreading out before me and the clear air, I thoroughly enjoyed the luxurious time as if my soul was being cleansed while soaking in the hot springs.

The popular private open-air bath "Iwatsuyu" is located at the end of the outdoor corridor on the first floor.

As the name suggests, the bath is made of rock and has an impressive oval tub. You can enjoy the soft rock bath and the beautiful view that imitates a Japanese garden all to yourself.

Perhaps it was because my senses were deeply relaxed after soaking in the various hot springs. The next morning, I woke up refreshed to the sound of the spring water echoing from the open-air bath in my room.

Breakfast is a visually appealing Japanese set meal. You won't be able to stop eating the many dishes that go well with white rice, such as boiled tofu, grilled fish, and takiawase (mixed stew).

Matsue City's specialty, clam miso soup, is so delicious that you will be amazed after just one sip.

During the free time before check-out, we walked around the inn to work up an appetite. The inn is built around a garden, so there are many things to see that will pique your interest just by walking around.

There are plenty of things to see, including the elegant scenery of seasonal trees and carp in the pond, a shop selling local specialties, a table tennis court and a lounge.

In front of the inn, there is also a hand bath that anyone can use freely. We recommend this hot spring spot as a casual stop while strolling around the hot spring town.

Saginoyuso offers not only overnight stays but also day-trip bathing.

Sagi no Yuso is the perfect place for a relaxing hot spring getaway in Sanin. Enjoy a luxurious trip of a higher level, pampering your body with local ingredients and soaking in Saginoyu Onsen, which have been in operation for 1,300 years. The rich benefits and tranquility that only a " national hot spring resort " can provide will make for a special experience that will regenerate your body and mind.

Saginoyu-so

478-1 Furukawa-cho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, 692-0064

This inn is just a 30-second walk from the Adachi Museum of Art. Guests will be warmly welcomed with meals that reflect the four seasons, hot spring water straight from the source, and luxuriously laid-out guest rooms. Day trips to the large public bath are available, and the indoor bath and rock bath can also be reserved for private use.

Access information

There are two main ways to get to Saginoyu Onsen from Tokyo .

By plane

One way is to fly from Haneda Airport to Yonago Airport. From Yonago, you can rent a car at the airport, which will allow you to make the most of your time sightseeing.

If driving is difficult, you can take the Sakai Line or airport shuttle bus from Yonago Airport Station to Yonago Station, then take the Sanin Main Line to the next station, Yasugi Station.

From Yasugi Station, you can access Saginoyu Onsen Town by taking the Yasugi City Wide Area Bus or taxi. It takes about 20 minutes from Yasugi Station to the hot spring town. There is also a free shuttle bus from Yasugi Station to the Adachi Museum of Art , which is located near the hot spring town.

By express train

The second way to get there from Tokyo is to use the sleeper express "Sunrise Izumo." This sleeper express train departs every night and arrives the next day at noon, making it perfect for those who want to make travel an enjoyable part of the journey.

It takes about 11 hours from Tokyo to Yasugi Station. From Yasugi Station, you can take the Yasugi City Wide Area Lifestyle Bus or a taxi. There is also a free shuttle bus from Yasugi Station to the Adachi Museum of Art , located near Saginoyu Onsen Town.

Access from the Kansai area

If you are coming from the Kansai area, there are two ways to get there: by Shinkansen or by plane.

If you are taking the Shinkansen, travel from Osaka Station to Okayama Station and transfer to the Limited Express Yakumo Limited Express to Yasugi Station. The journey takes approximately three and a half hours. From Yasugi Station, you can take the Yasugi City Wide Area Lifestyle Bus or a taxi. It takes about 20 minutes from Yasugi Station to Saginoyu Onsen Town. There is also a free shuttle bus from Yasugi Station to the Adachi Museum of Art , which is located near the hot spring town.

If you're flying, fly from Izumo Itami to Izumo Enmusubi Airport. The flight time is about 50 minutes, and if you rent a car from the airport, you'll arrive at the hot spring town in just under an hour.