Okayama Hot Springs & Ryokan Feature Articles| Experience the Four Seasons and Relax in the Mimasaka Santo (Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka)(Okutsu, Yunogo, and Yubara)

Soak, Stay, and Just Be.

Soak in the hot water.

Wrapped in steam, your breathing slowly aligns.

Let your mind and body unwind.

That warmth dwells in the scent of tatami mats and the touch of the futon.

Okayama's ryokans are places to spend time that exist in harmony with the hot springs.

Staying here is the purpose itself, not just a side note to sightseeing.

In the quietly flowing time, embark on a journey to reclaim yourself.

Find a place that can truly restore you in Okayama.

• Table of Contents
• The Mimasaka Santo (Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka) Springs (Okutsu Onsen, Yunogo Onsen, and Yubara Onsen )
• Okutsu Onsen(Kagamino Town )
• Yunogo Onsen(Mimasaka City )
• Yubara Onsen(Maniwa City )
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The Mimasaka Santo (Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka) Springs (Okutsu Onsen, Yunogo Onsen, and Yubara Onsen )

The Mimasaka Mimasaka Santo (Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka) , scattered throughout the Mimasaka region in northern Okayama Prefecture , refer to the three hot spring resorts of Okutsu Onsen, Yunogo Onsen, and Yubara Onsen. All are surrounded by nature and have long been popular as therapeutic Toji (Hot-spring therapy stay) resorts and resting places for travelers.

Mimasaka Sento Feature

Okutsu Onsen(Kagamino Town )

Okutsu Onsen , located in Kagamino Town in northern Okayama Prefecture , is a quiet hot spring resort surrounded by mountains near the source of the Yoshii River . During the Edo period, it was used as a Toji (Hot-spring therapy stay) resort by the lord of Tsuyama Domain, and has long been beloved as one of the " Mimasaka Santo (Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka)."

The alkaline simple hot spring water is gentle on the skin and is also known as "Beauty Bath" because it leaves a moist feeling after bathing. At the inns and public baths, you can enjoy a relaxing bath in a calm space while retaining the atmosphere of a traditional Toji (Hot-spring therapy stay) resort.

The surrounding area is dotted with spots where you can enjoy the changing scenery of the seasons, such as Okutsukei Valley and nature trails. The charm of this hot spring is the quiet time you spend there, surrounded by the mountain village scenery that changes with the seasons, from fresh greenery to autumn leaves and snowy landscapes.

Okutsu Onsen is still chosen by many people as a hot spring resort suitable for those who seek calmness and relaxation over hustle and bustle.

Okutsu Onsen

708-0503 Okutsu/Okutsukawanishi, Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, Okayama Pre...

A hot spring town along the river that has the atmosphere of a secret hot spring. This quiet mountain town is lined with quaint long-established inns and rustic guesthouses. The foot-stomping washing ceremony performed at the base of Okutsu Bridge is a symbolic sight of Okutsu Onsen, and demonstrations are held for tourists from 9:00 a.m. on Sundays (irregularly) from March to early December. The spring quality is a simple alkaline hot spring. It is popular as a ``beauty bath'' because it contains bleaching ingredients and is said to make your skin smooth. Many literary figures and artists have visited here since ancient times, and it has also served as the setting for their works.

Okutsukei Valley

708-0504 Okutsugawanishi, Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, Okayama Prefecture

[Famous for its autumn leaves! Walking is also recommended] Okutsukei Valley is a 3km long valley where you can enjoy the ever-changing beauty of the valley. Known as one of Okayama Prefecture's most famous autumn foliage spots, it attracts many tourists from outside the prefecture during the season. Autumn foliage walks with local guides are also popular during this time of year, and strolling along the stream while enjoying nature and history is said to invigorate you with negative ions. We also recommend walking while enjoying the magnolia and rhododendrons in spring, and the cool, fresh greenery in summer. There is a promenade along the river where you can enjoy the rare potholes. Autumn leaves: Late October to mid-November

Meisen Kagiyu Okutsuso

Located in the heart of Okutsu Onsen, Meisen Kagiyu Okutsuso is a long-established inn that continues to carry on the Toji (Hot-spring therapy stay) culture that has continued since the Edo period. Kagiyu ("Key Bath") , the signature hot spring of Okutsu Onsen , was once known as a special hot spring that only feudal lords and limited people were allowed to bathe in, and it is still carefully preserved today as a prestigious hot spring that still evokes this memory.

The hotel features relaxing guest rooms that make the most of the warmth of wood, and a restaurant that values ​​Japanese aesthetics, allowing you to spend a quiet and quality time. The hot spring is a simple alkaline hot spring, characterized by its soft texture and the moist feeling it leaves on your skin after bathing. You can enjoy the Free-flowing hot spring (100% from the source) water along with the seasonal scenery.

The cuisine is centered around kaiseki cuisine, which makes use of the bounty of the sea and mountains of Kagamino Town and northern Okayama Prefecture. Each dish is carefully prepared using seasonal ingredients, further enhancing the enjoyment of your hot spring stay.

Okutsuso is still chosen by many people as an inn where you can experience the luxury of "soaking in the hot springs and doing nothing" through its historic hot springs, quiet mountain village scenery, and heartfelt hospitality.

Meisen Kagiyu Okutsuso

Yunogo Onsen(Mimasaka City )

Yunogo Onsen , which spreads across Mimasaka City , is a historic hot spring resort known as one of the " Mimasaka Santo (Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka) Springs" along with Okutsu Onsen and Yubara Onsen . It is said to have originated in the Heian period, and has been popular with warlords and literary figures of the Sengoku period. Today, it is loved by many as a friendly hot spring resort where the bustle of the hot spring town blends with the laid-back scenery of rural mountains.

The hot spring is a simple alkaline hot spring, characterized by its soft texture that is gentle on the skin. It is said that the skin feels moisturized after bathing, and is also known as a " Beauty Bath." There are also foot baths and day-trip bathing facilities scattered around, making it an attractive hot spring resort that can be easily visited without having to stay overnight.

The hot spring town is dotted with inns and hotels, as well as cafes, souvenir shops, art and sports facilities, making it a great place to enjoy a stroll. There are also many natural and cultural facilities in the surrounding area, and the appeal of Yunogo Onsen is that it offers a variety of ways to spend your time, including in the hot springs.

Yunogo Onsen is a representative hot spring resort in Mimasaka where you can relax your mind and body while enjoying the historic hot springs, the calm atmosphere of the town, and the warmth of the people.

Yunogo Onsen

Yunogo, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture 707-0062

Yunogo Onsen is said to have been discovered by Ennin about 1,200 years ago when he saw a white heron healing a wound on his leg. Also known as "Sagi no Yu", it is a famous hot spring known throughout the country. The colorless and transparent hot water is popular among women as a hot spring for beautiful skin. There are fun facilities such as the free footbath "Fureai no Yu" and the day-trip hot spring facility "Yunogo Sagi Onsenkan". In early summer, you can enjoy the scenery of fireflies dancing along the Oya River.

Hana-no-Yado Nishikien

Hana-no-Yado Nishikien, located on a hill in Go Onsen, is a relaxing hot spring inn surrounded by nature throughout the seasons. Seasonal flowers are displayed throughout the hotel and gardens, allowing you to enjoy a different atmosphere each time you visit. This inn is perfect for those who want to spend some relaxing time in a quiet environment.

The hot spring water is characterized by the soft texture that is unique to Yunogo Onsen, and is a simple alkaline hot spring that is gentle on the skin. From the large public bath or Open-air Bath, you can spend a relaxing time both physically and mentally while gazing at the greenery of the garden and the changing sky. The time spent in the tranquil hot springs is perfect for soothing away the fatigue of everyday life.

The guest rooms are designed with a Japanese aesthetic in mind, allowing you to relax in a calm space. One of the charms of the hotel is that you can enjoy the garden and natural scenery outside the window, allowing you to feel the change of seasons even while indoors.

Meals are served using local Mimasaka ingredients and seasonal ingredients, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of the land. Surrounded by hot springs, food, flowers, and greenery, Hana-no-Yado Nishikien that serves as a base for a quiet trip to Yunogo Onsen, and is loved by many.

Hana-no-Yado Nishikien

Gendai Gangu Museum & Orgel Yumekan

Located in Yunogo Onsen Onsen, the Gendai Gangu Museum & Orgel Yumekan is a facility where you can experience the history and culture of craftsmanship through toys and music boxes from around the world. Inside the museum, you'll find a diverse collection of toys spanning time and countries, including tin toys, wooden toys, and mechanical toys.

The adjacent Music Box Dream Museum has a wide variety of music boxes, from antique to modern, and you can actually enjoy their sounds. The gentle, clear sounds echo throughout the museum, soothing the souls of all who visit. The music box performances that are held regularly are also a highlight.

The exhibits are designed to be interactive and not just something to look at, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults. By stopping by while strolling around Yunogo Onsen, you can spend a time of relaxation and discovery that is different from the hot springs.

The Gendai Gangu Museum & Orgel Yumekan is a cultural spot representing the Yunogo Onsen area, where you can experience the charm of play, music, and craftsmanship up close.

Modern Toy Museum/Music Box Yumekan

319-2 Yunogo, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture 707-0062

There are a total of 30 items on display, including music boxes and mechanical dolls from over 100 years ago, and about 600 toys, mainly European building blocks. In addition to the ``Music Box Concert'' and ``Toy Tour'' that introduce toys every day, there is also a museum shop where you can purchase toys and music boxes recommended by the museum, and a playroom where you can play with toys such as building blocks and a play corner.

Yubara Onsen(Maniwa City )

Yubara Onsen , located in the northern part of Maniwa City along the clear waters of the Asahikawa , is known as one of the " Mimasaka Santo (Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka) Springs," along with Okutsu Onsen and Yunogo Onsen . Surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains, its greatest appeal is being able to quietly enjoy the hot springs while listening to the murmuring of the river and taking in the scenery of the four seasons.

The symbol of Yubara Onsen is the natural Open-air Bath"Sunayu (Riverside Open-Air Bath) ," which springs from the bottom of the Asahikawa . Located downstream from the dam, the bath offers an open-air experience that makes you feel one with nature. The baths are separated by gender depending on the time of day, making them popular with tourists.

In the hot spring town, inns and accommodations line the river, and there are also foot baths, walking paths, local restaurants and souvenir shops scattered around. You can enjoy the mountain and river views during the day, and the atmosphere of the hot spring town enveloped in quiet lights at night.

Yubara Onsen is a hot spring resort where nature, hot springs, and townscapes come together in harmony, allowing you to relax and heal your mind and body. Among the Mimasaka Santo (Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka) hot springs, it is particularly popular with many people as a place where you can experience "soaking in hot water together with nature."

Yubara Hot Spring

Yubara Onsen, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture 717-0402

Located downstream of the Yubara Dam, this popular hot spring resort stretches along the Asahi River. The amount of hot water is large and the quality of the hot spring is highly alkaline, making the skin feel smooth. The symbol of the hot spring town is the large natural open-air bath "Sunayu" made of hot spring water that wells up from the bottom of the river. It is open 24 hours a day for free, so you can enjoy the natural hot springs in the great outdoors at any time. It has been praised as one of the "West Yokozuna" in the national open-air bath ranking, and you can enjoy baths with different temperatures, such as Bijin-no-Yu, Kodakara-no-Yu, and Choju-no-Yu. Nearby sightseeing spots include Hiruzen Kogen, a vast plateau that is very popular with families. Dairy products made from jersey cattle that are raised on pastures are also recommended as souvenirs. About 200 wild monkeys may welcome you at Kanba Falls, which was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.

Yumeguri-no-Yado Matsu-no-ya Kasen

Located in the Yubara Onsen area , Yumeguri-no-Yado Matsu-no-ya Kasen is a hot spring inn where you can enjoy a variety of baths in a quiet environment surrounded by abundant nature.With multiple baths with different atmospheres both inside and outside the building, including Open-air Bath, rock baths, and private baths, one of the inns' great attractions is the ability to enjoy "bath hopping" during your stay.

In the Open-air Bath, you can relax in the water in an open atmosphere while enjoying the greenery of the trees and the changing of the seasons. There is also a covered bath, so you can use it without worrying about the weather. The baths are designed so that you can enjoy the soft feel of Yubara's water in a variety of spaces.

Located in the Yubara Onsen area , Yumeguri-no-Yado Matsu-no-ya Kasen is a hot spring inn where you can enjoy a variety of baths in a quiet environment surrounded by abundant nature.With multiple baths with different atmospheres both inside and outside the building, including Open-air Bath, rock baths, and private baths, one of the inns' great attractions is the ability to enjoy "bath hopping" during your stay.

In the Open-air Bath, you can relax in the water in an open atmosphere while enjoying the greenery of the trees and the changing of the seasons. There is also a covered bath, so you can use it without worrying about the weather. The baths are designed so that you can enjoy the soft feel of Yubara's water in a variety of spaces.

Yumeguri-no-Yado Matsu-no-ya Kasen

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