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Shirahama-onsen Hot Spring
Shirahama-onsen is a traditional
hot spring town with a long history of over 1300 years, known as "Muro-no-On'yu"
or "Ki-no-On'yu" since the Asuka and Nara Periods (the latter half of the 6th to
the 8th century), visited by such emperors as Saimei, Tenji, Jito and Monmu.
Shirahama is known for its mild weather, with three of its sides surrounded by
the Pacific Ocean. Scenic spots such as Senjojiki and Sandanbeki along the
coast, as well as Engetsu-to Island, are also located in the area. At the hot
spring bath near Shirarahama Beach, you can bathe with your swimming suit
on.
Address: Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Directions: 12 min
ride by bus for Sandanbeki from JR Shirahama Station (Kinokuni Line) to
Shirahama Bus Center, or 14 min ride to Shirarahama.
Hyogo
Arima-onsen Hot Spring
Being one of the oldest hot
springs in Japan, Arima-onsen is regarded as one of the country's three most
famous hot springs. It is also well known as the spring cherished by Toyotomi
Hideyoshi (1537-1598), and recently the remains of his bath have been found. It
has two individual qualities: One utilizes hot water of a red-brown, ferruginous
base called "Kinsen (gold spring)" and the other is a colorless carbonate spring
called "Ginsen (silver spring)." At Tansan-sengen-koen Park (a carbonate spring
park), you can drink cold carbonate water, from which some say that Japan's very
first soda pop was made. It is conveniently located and easily accessible from
Osaka (1 hour) and Kobe-San-no-miya (30 min).
Address: Arima-cho,
Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Directions: Exit at Arima-onsen Station (Kobe Electric
Railway).
Shimane
Tamatsukuri-onsen Hot Spring
Tamatsukuri-onsen is
a historical hot spring town representing the San-in area, considered to have
been established as early as the Nara Period (710-794). Along the Tamayu-gawa
River (running from Lake Shinji-ko), you can find high-class Japanese inns in
the sukiya-style, creating a unique atmosphere. It is conveniently located for
Izumoji sightseeing, being close to Izumo-taisha Shrine and Matsue. It is
regarded that this place was named Tamatsukuri, or "bead making," since high
quality blue agate was mined at Mt. Kasen-zan (situated in this area) and
because the production of this comma-shaped gem had been active in those days.
There are some related museums and facilities where you can try your hand at
making jewels from this stone.
Address: Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue,
Shimane Directions: Exit at JR Tamatsukuri-onsen Station (San-in Line).
Dogo-onsen Hot Spring
Dogo-onsen is one of the
oldest hot springs, having a 3000 year history. Dogo-onsen Honkan, a communal
bath representing the town, is a three-story house in the Momoyama-style
designated as a nationally important cultural property. One can hear the rooftop
drum striking as in previous eras; local citizens enjoy this bath which is
believed to heal any kind of disease. The town is also known as the location for
the famous Japanese novel "Botchan" written by Soseki Natsume (1867-1916) ;
descriptions from the book are everywhere in this town.
Address:
Dogo-Yunomachi, Matsuyama, Ehime
Directions: 20 min ride by the city train
of Iyo Railway from JR Matsuyama Station (Yosan Line) to the final stop,
Dogo-onsen Station.
Oita
Beppu Hatto
Beppu Hatto is one of Japan's largest
hot spring town consisting of eight hot springs, including Beppu, Kannawa, and
Myoban-onsen located in the city of Beppu. 10 out of 11 types of spring
qualities existing in the world are evident here, displaying various unique
appearances. "Jigokumeguri" is a popular sightseeing tour for visiting all of
these examples. The technology to manufacture the bath agent called "Yunohana,"
made from the hot spring water, is designated as the nation's significant
intangible folk cultural asset. If you wish, you can observe its manufacturing
process at "Yunosato" of Myoban-onsen.
Address: Beppu, Oita
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