Matsue Shinji Lake Onsen

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.