湯田川温泉

As you'd expect from a long-established inn that Tsuruoka is proud of, the hot springs and food are excellent. The food is also excellent. The dedicated parking lot can only accommodate passenger cars, but it's nice that there is a shared parking lot at Yudagawa Onsen a short distance away that can accommodate 4-ton vehicles, medium-sized trucks, and large trucks. This shared parking lot is open to all guests staying at any of the inns in Yudagawa Onsen, so I think Yudagawa Onsen is a great place for people who want to do some sightseeing while working in a truck. However, it was difficult to find the inn when I arrived, so I thought it would be nice if there were more clear signs.

My boss brought me here on my day off. As one of Tsuruoka's most representative and long-established inns, it's a wonderful and charming ryokan where you can really feel the history from the building's appearance to the rooms. It was a precious experience that felt like stepping back in time, and I was so immersed in such a moving feeling that I forgot the passage of time, further igniting our precious time together. The hot springs were also fantastic, leaving my skin smooth and beautiful. My long-standing problems with stiff shoulders and headaches also improved, and my body felt lighter, as if I had come back to life.

Yudagawa Onsen, located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, is one of the three most famous hot springs in the Shonai region. It's a hot spring town blessed with abundant nature and warm hospitality. It's also a hot spring resort associated with the author, Shuhei Fujisawa. With a history of 1300 years since its opening, it was designated a "National Health Resort Hot Spring" by the Ministry of the Environment in 2001. Known as a therapeutic hot spring resort, it boasts a renowned free-flowing hot spring source, with various accommodations, two public baths, and one footbath.

I enjoyed the public hot spring bath called Shomenyu. The water was a little hot, and since I visited in June, I left after about 20 minutes. The bathing fee was paid at the nearby Funai Shoten. The water was colorless and transparent, with no odor. There was one small indoor bath that could easily fit three or four adults.

I used the main bath. You pay the people at the nearby Funami Shoten store to open the door for you. It seems to be an important place protected by the community. I greeted the locals and followed the rules before entering. The water was amazing. Fresh water gushed out in a steady stream.