Osaha Onsen Hotel’s “Yodanosho”, a Rustic Hot Spring Inn and a Cultural Property in Matsuzaki Town

The Edo period revived

As you step inside Osawa Onsen Hotel’s “Yudanosho”, you enter immediately the old world of the Edo period with its mortars, mallets, straw raincoats and hanging kettles with boiling water over sunken fireplaces. 


This is the public space in the main building. The historical legacy of this building and its culture has been preserved even after it was turned into a hot spring inn. Therefore the spirit of Edo welcomes you already from the entrance. The main building was constructed 300 years ago and has an important historical value. For this reason it was designated as a tangible cultural property by Shizuoka prefecture.

In the lobby you will see two different sake barrels which indicate a different social status. Back then, when this building was constructed, the social class played an important role and here you can clearly feel it.

A place of rich history

This is the storehouse with earthen walls. Originally it was used for storing rice, but now it’s a small museum. Here you can learn about the history of Yoda residence, and the family members, one of which became famous for developing Hokkaido’s Tokachiheya region, while another one was an industrialist. You can also see plenty of tools and instruments used during the Edo period.

Two other warehouses, used for storing instruments and miso, stand beside the museum. They are all designed in the “namako-wall” grid-pattern architectural style which is very impressive. The instruments warehouse has been turned into an accommodation facility called “Tempo no ma”. The famous writer Ibuse Masuji has stayed at this place. The miso warehouse has been turned into a stylish bar where you can have a drink. As for the museum, it’s always open for free.

The open air bath

After enjoying the brilliance of the residence, it’s time to enter the hot spring! Osawa Onsen Hotel’s “Yodanosho” has 3 different baths. On the photo you can see the open-air pool “Manten no yu”. It’s so wide that you can swim in it and it’s right under the open sky! All baths can be used by both genders in changing shifts. Girls can also enter the open-air pool at night and enjoy the relaxing view of the starry sky. It really feels great!

The lush green bath

Here you can see “Shoya no yu”, another bath. The ceiling is high and allows plenty of sunlight to enter. There are many green plants all over the place. It’s rare to find such a bath with lots of greenery and several pools with different water temperature. 

Osawa Onsen hot spring’s history dates back to the end of the 18th century. The water is not too acidic and feels nice on the skin, so it’s pleasant to soak in the pools. The hot spring has a skin beautification effect. The last bath is called “Kesho no yu” and uses freely flowing hot spring water. The pools are very wide and can be used by both men and women in changing shifts. 

After taking a bath you can drink some of the fresh mineral water coming from a tap inside the main building. It will replenish your body with necessary mineral elements.

Hot spring data Water type: thermal (hypotonic, law alkaline hot spring) Temperature: 41.9 degrees pH index: 8.4 Day trip visit: not available

Eating traditional dishes

“Oke-sushi” (bucket sushi) has been traditionally eaten here since the times of Yoda family. It was an old tradition for the entire family to gather at harvest moon and eat this dish while reminiscing of the past. The ingredients used are a mince of buttocks and salty-sweet shiitake mushrooms. They change according to the season but the traditional old taste is well preserved. Try it and taste the flavor of the bygone era.