人吉温泉 鶴亀温泉

In short, this place is paradise on earth. As you can see, it's extremely retro, so it might not appeal to all types of customers, but for those who like sophisticated hot springs and public baths, it's heaven. It's no exaggeration to say that people come to Hitoyoshi specifically to come here. There used to be an equally sophisticated hot spring called Shinyu in the center of the city, but unfortunately it was damaged in a flood and is currently undergoing restoration. This hot spring, located further from the river, seems to have been spared, and even after several years, it still looks the same. It's called Tsurukame, and the water in the bathtub is probably poured by Ebisu or Daikoku, so it feels like just soaking in it will bring you good fortune. The water is lukewarm (around 42 degrees Celsius), and because it's a moor spring, it has a unique slimy, mellow texture, and there are floating mineral deposits. I'm sure that Shinyu, like it did in its heyday, has a shallow bathtub. If you lie down in the bath with your pillow on the edge, you'll feel so relaxed that you'll feel like you're being sucked into paradise. There is a box at the counter to put 300 yen in, but it is almost always unmanned, so be sure to bring some coins with you so you don't get any change.

Spring Quality: Sodium Bicarbonate Chloride Spring Source Temperature: 53.9°C @ Air Temperature: 29.8°C Free-flowing spring water (some water added to adjust temperature) Most public baths in Hitoyoshi, like Tsurukame Onsen, feature two tiered bathtubs of differing depths in the center. There's a single tap, no faucets, and bathers sit around the perimeter of the bathtub, scooping up water from the bathtub to wash themselves. I was thrilled by the ultra-old-fashioned simplicity. Tsurukame Onsen also has two showers, but scooping up water from the bathtub is a rare experience, so I highly recommend it.

A nearly deserted, retro public bathhouse. The bathwater is extremely slippery. Compared to the Atago Onsen spring water, the concentration of the moor spring water is lower and the temperature is higher. There are no soaps or other toiletries. It seems unpopular, as I had the place all to myself during the day. The men's toilet was slightly clogged and looked like it was about to overflow... Please fix it. Opening hours are from 1 PM.

July 2019 Tsurukame Onsen was built by a doctor in the early Showa era. Not only is the exterior stunning, but the interior's retro walls, bath area, changing room, and reception desk are a delight for lovers of astringent baths. 😍 A distinctive feature is the spout. The women's bath features Daikoku-sama, while the men's appears to feature Ebisu. 🍀Sodium bicarbonate chloride spring Admission fee: 300 yen

It has a retro feel, and at first glance it looks like an abandoned building. The bathing fee is 300 yen. The bathtub was more slippery than I expected, but if it was properly cleaned it wouldn't be that slippery, so if you're a clean freak, you might want to avoid it. The water was about 42 degrees, so it was comfortable to bathe in. All the customers were tourists.