The hot springs in Yuzaki- loved by the empresses since the Manyo age

Soak in the tasteful hot springs loved by ancient expresses like Kogyoku and Jito in the Manyo age.
Free your thoughts to the antique times and be soothed by the quality spring water.

YANAGIYA’s Hot Springs

1,000% soothing
natural hot springs

The first hot spring resort
in Shirahama Onsen

YANAGIYA is located in Yuzaki, a historic hot spring spot in Japan discovered in 645 before the Taika Reform as recorded in Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), the 2nd oldest history book in Japan completed in the Nara Period. It has been the resort destination for emperors and empresses since the ancient times and be loved by expresses like Kogyoku and Jito. The spa was used as medication since Edo Period and developed as a hot spring town since then.
Our resort was established over 400 years ago as the first hot spring inn in Shirahama, and we are one of the very few retro chic resorts offer the original feel of Yuzaki. We preserve the hot spring tradition of “manual cooling so minerals gush, and the temperature is just-right to enjoy”. Our bath tanks are all filled with natural spring water, which is silky-soft, body and spirit warming. The moisturizing effect is long lasting that able to prevent dry skin.

Rules of Conduct at Yanagiya

At our hotel, we invite you to enjoy yumomi ("water stirring"), an ancient hot spring bathing method: "Hotter on the top and warmer on the bottom – use a yumomi stick to make the water warm up to the proper temperature."
Hence, we do not add water to the Miyuki Gensen hot springs or use a filtration system to circulate it, but rather allow it to naturally flow 100% as it is so that it constantly overflows into the bathtub.

Traditional Hot springs Bathing Methods at YanagiyaThe Five Articles of Yumomi

The yumomi that's only with free-flowing hot-spring water

  • First, use a yomomi stick to stir the hot water up and down to loosen the body and the hot water at the same time.
  • Second, use a hand bucket to pour the hot water over the body three times as a courtesy to the "god of hot springs."
  • Third, the "hot spring flowers" from the source will then dance in the air, which is a blessing of nature.
  • Fourth, enter quietly from the feet up, and place the tenugui towel outside of the bathtub or folded over the head.
  • Fifth, do not rinse off your hands and feet in accordance with the old tradition to enjoy the spiritual benefits of the "source".

Miyuki Gensen: Hot-Spring Healing Effects

Hot-Spring Healing Effects for Men

◎ In addition to neuralgia, muscular pain, and joint pain, it is effective for cuts, burns, hemorrhoids, chronic dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis, and digestive organ diseases.

Hot-Spring Healing Effects for Female

◎ Fights chronic women's diseases including sensitivity to the cold, and chronic dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis. Contains skin beautifying effects. Plus, it is effective for neuralgia, muscular pain, joint pain, cuts and burns, hemorrhoids, and chronic digestive organ diseases.

*Not suitable for use in case of contraindications for bathing/acute illness (especially with fever), active tuberculosis, malignant tumors, serious heart disease, respiratory failure, renal failure, bleeding disorder, and other diseases in progress in general.

Certified as a Hot Spring Heritage "Onsen Kakenagashi Bath"

温泉遺産「温泉賭け流し風呂」認定

The Japan Association of Onsen Heritage is an organization led by Etsuo Noguchi, a hot spring journalist. Our hot springs and hotel have been certified as an "onsen heritage," preserving the ancient culture of the use of onsen and pursuing the use of such.

Public bath “Kinoyu” (Wood’s hot spring)
Public bath, open bath

A soothing moment in the cypress wood hot spring tank

A luxury hot spring for you to soak in the history of Yuzaki.
The public bath is huge and spacious, and there is an open bath corner
for your utmost indulgence in natural glittering sunlight or spectacular starry sky at night.

Kinoyu

Bath type Public bath, open bath, natural hot spring
Operation hours 3:00 pm- 12:00 midnight & 6:00am – 9:00pm (the men and women’s bath interchange daily)
Amenities Hair dryer, solid soap, comb, brush, shampoo, conditioner

Public bath “Ishinoyu” (Rock’s hot spring)
Public bath, open bath

A gentle bath embraced by chic granite- an extraordinary soaking experience

“Ishinoyu”- with dazzling sunlight shining through the ceiling atrium and luminous reflection on the spring water in the granite tank.
If you were lucky enough, you might even see splashes with mineral precipitate flying up from the water, which can only be found in natural hot springs.

Ishinoyu

Bath type Public bath, open bath, natural hot spring
Operation hours 3:00 pm- 12:00 midnight & 6:00am – 9:00pm (the men and women’s bath interchange daily)
Amenities Hair dryer, solid soap, comb, brush, shampoo, conditioner

Private hot spring (indoor)

Luxuriate in a private bathing moment with your family members

We value the privacy and bathing indulgence of our guests from all age groups, from small kids to seniors, and thus we have private hot springs for rental. Simply soak in Yuzaki’s natural spring water without concerns. Kindly reserve your bathing session by calling (+81-739-42-3360). The bath is reserved in time order.

Private rental bath (indoor)

Usage fee JPY2,200 (including consumption tax)/40 mins
Bath type Private rental bath (indoor)
Operation hours 3:00 pm- 11:40 pm & 6:00am – 8:40pm (bathing session starts in every hour)
Amenities Hair dryer, solid soap, comb, brush, shampoo, conditioner

Private hot spring (open air)

Soak in our natural hot spring and feel the wind

A handicapped accessible private rental hot spring with handrails for the small steps to the bathing tank. Reset your mind, body, and spirit with a trip to this luxury private bath, complete with state-of-the-art but natural, spacious hot spring.
Kindly reserve your bathing session by calling (+81-739-42-3360). The bath is reserved in time order.

Private rental bath (open air)

Usage fee JPY2,200 (including consumption tax)/40 mins
Bath type Private rental bath (open air)
Operation hours 3:00 pm- 11:40 pm & 6:00am – 8:40pm (bathing session starts in every hour)
Amenities Hair dryer, solid soap, comb, brush, shampoo, conditioner

Hot spring tour

Yuzakinoyu

Historic hot spring and stunning ocean views

Sakinoyu is the only remaining “7 Yuzaki hot spring” have been popular since the ancient times. Take in the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean while soaking in the soothing natural bath.

Operation hours Apr 1 – Jun 30 & Sep 1- Sep 30 (8:00am-6:00pm)
Jul 1 – 31 Aug (7:00am – 7:00pm), 1 Oct – Mar 31 (8:00am-5:00pm)
Last admission 30 mins before closing
Regular holiday Open all year round
Usage fee JPY 500 (aged 3 or above)
Tel No.) +81-739-42-3016

Muronoyu Hot Spring

Indulgence in two different tasteful hot springs

Muronoyu provides visitors with luxury bathing experience in two types of hot springs- “Mabu bath” (with minerals) and “Miyuki”. This coastal hot spring is one of the representative bath spots of Shirahama Onsen.

Operation hours 7:00am - 10:00pm
Last admission 30 mins before closing
Closed on Tuesdays
Usage fee Adult (12 or above) JPY 420/ teens JPY 140/ Kids JPY 80
Tel No.) +81-739-43-0686

Tsukumoto Ashiyu Foot Spa

The perfect finale after strolling around at Shirarahama Beach

“Tsukumoto Ashiyu Foot Spa” is right next to Shirarahama Beach, the tourist hotspot in Shirahama. The spot is full of the fragrance of sulphur. Whitish sand and hot springs are the musts when touring around Shirahama indeed.

Operation hours Sept – Jun (8:00am -10:00pm) / Jul & Aug (7:00am-10:00pm)
Closed on Open throughout the year
Usage fee Free

-The oldest hot spring from the Manyo age-

History of Shirahama Onsen

Shirahama Onsen, at where “YANAGIYA” situated, has been widely used for medication for long even before the Nara Period. It’s commonly believed the history of the hot spring started when hot water gushed through coastal rocks, stayed on sunken lands, then used by people lived nearby.
The history of the hot spring is over 1,400 years. Together with Dogo and Arima, it makes up the three oldest hot springs in Japan. In the past, it was also called “Muro Onyu”, “Muro Onsen”, “Kino onsen”, and “Kino Onyu”. According to Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), the 2nd oldest history book in Japan, the hot spring has been the resort destination for emperors and empresses since the ancient times and be loved by expresses like Kogyoku and Jito. Later in the Edo Period, it was opened to commoners.
Then, the name “Muronoyu” was changed to “Kanayama Onsen”; currently it’s called “Yuzaki Onsen”, a familiar name in Japan.
Visitors increased tremendously in the modern times so the natural gushing water amount is no longer sufficient to accommodate needs. Construction works were implemented in 1920s that successfully created cracks for natural waterflow. Under great management and balanced hot spring water distribution, it’s become a top-class hot spring resort in Kansai area. Springs were only available near around Yuzaki at first, while now the hot spring town has been expanded throughout Shirahama-cho.
The number of visitor reached 3 million a year, and more and more hot spring facilities have been built up as the perfect vocation detox for families.

About hot springs

Name of hot spring Miyuki Onsen (Yuzaki Onsen Kanko Co., Ltd.)
Water source 2993, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun
Water texture Sodium chloride (NaCl)
Water temperature 78.6゚C
Indications [Bathing] Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, stiff shoulders, motor paralysis, stiff joints, blunt trauma, sprain, chronic digestive diseases, diseases, chilling, recovery, fatigue, health enhancement, cuts, burns, chronic skin diseases, weak children, chronic women’s diseases
[Drinking] Chronic digestive diseases & chronic constipation
Contraindications [Bathing] Acute disease (particularly those with temperature), active tuberculosis, malignant tumor, severe heart diseases, respiratory failure, kidney failure, bleeding diseases, severe anemia, general progressing diseases, pregnancy (especially in the initial and final states)
[Drinking] Kidney diseases, high blood pressure, general diseases with swelling.

Message from our young okami lady

Our apologies that we do not have mirrors in the public baths.

YANAGIYA- the Shirahama hot spring resort for families is visited by many families with small kids. No matter how frequent our staff check, there would still be a lot of used razers if we have mirrors, which would be dangerous. Your understanding is very much appreciated.