Onsen in Shimane (page 1) | Japan Travel by NAVITIME - Japan Travel Guides, Maps, Transit Search and Route Planner

Yunotsu Onsen: Shimane Oda-shi Yunotsucho Yunotsu; The port of Yunotsu was once perfectly positioned to ship the silver from and send supplies to the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, now a designated World Heritage Site. Even today, the hot spring district which stands along the Yunotsu Highway extending away from the port still retains much of the atmospheric, old townscape dating to this heyday period, and here visitors can delight in the flavors of the Sea of Japan, the history of the area, and hot springs. The waters of the district were discovered some 1,300 years ago; long renowned for their curative properties, the waters are still praised for their healing effects today. There are two public bathhouses in the district, the Motoyu-senyakuto and the Yakushiyu, and both fill their tubs with only real hot spring water straight from the source, making no use of additional waters or heating whatsoever. The waters of the area's common salt spring contain earth deposits; cloudy in color and hovering around 50° C in temperature, the yunohana flower-shaped crusts they cause attest to the high concentration of minerals dissolved in them. At the nearby Yakimonokan climbing kiln, situated on the side of a hill on the eastern side of the district, visitors can try their hand at making authentic Yunotsu ware pottery.; Effect; nerve pain; muscle soreness; joint pain; aid recovery from fatigue; etc

Sanbe Onsen: Shimane Oda-shi Sanbecho Shigaku; This elegant and old hot spring district, situated at the southern foot of Mt. Sanbe, has flourished for over 200 years since Kansei era. The district encompasses two old-fashioned public bathhouses and around 10 hot spring lodging facilities. The waters of the area's chloride springs are said to treat such ailments as nerve pain, rheumatism, muscle soreness, stiff shoulders, lower back pain, joint pain, fatigue, sprains, gastrointestinal disorders, sensitivity to cold, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The baths at almost all of the facilities here are constantly replenished from a source spring kakenagashi style. The Kame no Yu bathhouse, closely connected to the local community; and the Yakushiyu, a bathhouse popular with tourists; are seen as the symbols of the district. There are also many sightseeing destinations in the area where visitors can take in the abundant local natural beauty, such as Mt. Sanbe National Park, which encompasses picturesque Mt. Sanbe; and Nishi no Hara, scenic grassland where cows are left to graze from spring through fall.; Effect; Chronic pain or stiffness of muscle or joint; joint rheumatism; osteoarthritis; lower back pain; etc

Yunokawa Onsen: Shimane Izumo-shi Hikawacho Gakuto; A quiet hot spring district surrounded by mountains on three sides boasting baths constantly replenished kakenagashi style from source springs and located a five minute drive from Izumo Airport in Shimane Prefecture. Counted as one of Japan's most beautifying hot springs along with Ryujin Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture and Kawanaka Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, it is a particularly popular destination for women. The waters of the spring's sodium calcium sulfate chloride springs are said to be effective for general indication and treat such ailments as scrapes, burns, and chronic skin diseases, weak constitutions in children, chronic women's diseases, and hardening of the arteries. The district is also an excellent base for checking out the area's abundance of sightseeing destinations, such as the Izumo Oyashiro Shrine, deeply tied to the many legends and myths in the area; Inasanohama Beach; Hinomisaki-jinja Shrine; Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse; Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, designated a World Heritage Site in 2007; and Sakaiminato City, famous birthplace of Shigeru Mizuki, creator of the popular manga GeGeGe no Kitaro, and location of the Mizuki Shigeru Road.; Effect; nerve pain; muscle soreness; joint pain; aid recovery from fatigue; etc

Araiso Onsen: Shimane Masuda-shi Nishihirabaracho; This hot spring, ranked number one for its scenery in the Chugoku-Shikoku region, is owned and operated by the Araisokan, a hotel standing on the coast of the vast Sea of Japan. The hotel has outdoor baths in which bathers can feel one with nature, indoor baths from which bathers can enjoy views of azure ocean, and private reservable bath from which bathers can have the area's expansive scenery all to themselves. The hotel's bath facilities are open to non-guests as well. The waters of the hotel's metasilicic acid simple spring are said to treat such ailments as fatigue and nerve pain, in addition to beautifying the skin. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy days filled with seasonal events and scenery, followed by soothing hot spring bathing. In spring, visitors can enjoy viewing Misumi Town's famous Ohirazakura cherry tree, plum blossoms, and azaleas; in summer, there's swimming. In fall, there are traditional Iwami Kagura performances and festivals, while in winter, the daffodils on the ocean-facing slopes of Karaoto Suisen Park.; Effect; nerve pain; muscle soreness; joint pain; aid recovery from fatigue; etc

Tamatsukuri Onsen: Shimane Matsue-shi Tamayucho Tamatsukuri; A hot spring which has been flowing for 1,300 years whose skin beautifying properties are so great, they are even mentioned in the “Izumo no kuni fudoki,” an ancient historical chronicle of the bygone Izumo Province. The waters of this mildly alkaline hot spring contain an abundance of skin moisturizing metasilicic acid, and some call them a natural facial lotion. The area’s hot spring waters can also be bottled and brought home for personal use or to give as a popular gift. Many studios offering activities such as glasswork are located in the hot spring town area, as well. Tamatsukuriyu-jinja Shrine, located a five minute walk away, is a popular spiritual destination due to its “wishing stone” which is said to grant a wish made while touching it. Many of the area’s hot spring hotels and inns also make their bathhouses open to non-guests, and there are free footbaths for visitors to enjoy.

Matsue Shinji Lake Onsen: Shimane Matsue-shi Chidoricho Suetsuguhonmachi; A hot spring area facing the north shore of Lake Shinji, a favorite destination of author Lafcadio Hearn. The waters of the area’s sodium, calcium sulfate, chloride springs are 77° C and are said to treat an abundant array of ailments, including nerve pain, muscle soreness, joint pain, frozen shoulders, chronic women’s diseases, and hardening of the arteries. In addition to hot spring inns and hotels, there are also day trip hot spring bathhouses and free footbaths in the area, giving visitors a wide variety of ways to enjoy the hot springs. The “Oyukake Jizo” Kshitigarbha statue standing at the source of a spring welling up from more than 1,250 meters below the surface is said to grant health and happiness to those who place their hands together in prayer before the figure and pour hot spring water over it. There are also an abundance of sightseeing destinations and things to do nearby, such as Matsue Castle, Shiomi Nawate Street, and pleasure cruises along the Hori River, a canal surrounding the castle.

Onsen in Shimane