A Hot Spring with More Than 1,300 Years of History
The opening of Saginoyu Onsen is traditionally said to date back to the Jinki era (724–729), giving it a history of approximately 1,300 years.
During the Sengoku period, the area was located near the castle town controlled by the powerful Amago clan. The hot spring flourished as a special bathing place for feudal lords and became an important destination for people seeking therapeutic bathing.
However, in 1666, during the Kanbun era of the Edo period, a major flood caused extensive damage to the hot spring town. The spring source was buried, and subsequent attempts to rediscover it were also affected by flooding. For a long period, the original hot spring disappeared from local life.
The foundation of the present-day Saginoyu Onsen dates back to 1909, when a local resident named Tanabe Rokuzaemon discovered hot spring water while carrying out drainage work on farmland. The discovery led to the revival and redevelopment of the area as a hot spring resort.
Further development and drilling were carried out over the following decades. In 1995, drilling to a depth of approximately 1 kilometer secured a stable source of hot spring water. Today, the resort has an abundant flow of approximately 600 liters per minute.
Abundant Hot Spring Water and a Distinctive Mineral Composition
Saginoyu Onsen is classified as a radioactive sodium-calcium chloride-sulfate spring. The spring water emerges at a high temperature of approximately 45–54°C.
The abundant supply of hot spring water allows most facilities in the area to offer free-flowing natural hot spring water, known in Japan as gensen kakenagashi. This means that fresh spring water is continuously supplied directly from the source rather than being repeatedly circulated.
Traditional Therapeutic Uses
Saginoyu Onsen has long been known as a hot spring for restorative bathing. The water is traditionally said to be beneficial for conditions including neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, movement disorders, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, chronic skin conditions, cuts, burns, and certain chronic gynecological conditions.
In 1962, the hot spring was designated by the Japanese government as a National Recreation Hot Spring Resort in recognition of its therapeutic environment. Today, visitors continue to come here to relax, refresh themselves, and enjoy the natural surroundings.
The Quiet Charm of Saginoyu’s Hot Spring Town
Saginoyu Onsen is not a large resort filled with rows of hotels and entertainment facilities. Instead, several traditional inns stand quietly along the Iinashi River, surrounded by rice fields, mountains, and peaceful countryside.
The area has a gentle, unhurried atmosphere that contrasts with more heavily developed tourist destinations. Each of the traditional inns has an open-air bath, allowing guests to soak in the hot spring while enjoying views of the surrounding nature.
In winter, steam rising from the hot springs along the river creates an especially atmospheric scene. For travelers who want to escape the noise of cities and spend time relaxing in a natural setting, Saginoyu Onsen offers a memorable Japanese hot spring experience.
Yumeland Shirasagi: A Day-Trip Hot Spring Facility
Visitors do not need to stay overnight to enjoy Saginoyu Onsen. Yumeland Shirasagi is a popular day-use facility where visitors can enjoy hot springs as well as other recreational and health-oriented facilities.
The bathing area includes a free-flowing open-air bath, large communal bath, and dry sauna. There is also a Bade Zone where guests wear swimsuits, including a swimming pool with a water slide that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
The facility also has a restaurant, accommodation, and banquet rooms, making it possible to combine bathing, dining, relaxation, and an overnight stay in one location. Its focus on health and recreation makes it popular with both local residents and visitors.
Places to Stay at Saginoyu Onsen
Saginoyu-so
Saginoyu-so is a long-established Japanese inn with more than 100 years of history. Its approximately 2,000-tsubo grounds feature a beautiful traditional garden. The interior has a calm, folk-craft-inspired atmosphere, providing guests with a relaxing place to stay. Meals featuring seasonal ingredients from the local area are another highlight.
Yasugien
Yasugien is a nostalgic Japanese inn that retains the atmosphere of the Showa period. Its natural hot spring baths use water directly from the source. Guests can also enjoy regional dishes such as loach cuisine and wild boar hot pot, offering a taste of local food culture.
Chikuyo
Chikuyo is located immediately next to the Adachi Museum of Art, with the museum entrance only about 30 seconds away on foot. The inn offers 100% natural hot spring water directly from the source, as well as dishes prepared with seafood from the San’in coast and locally grown vegetables. It also takes dietary needs into consideration, including vegetarian and halal-friendly options.
Nearby Attractions: Adachi Museum of Art and Yasugi-bushi
Saginoyu Onsen is surrounded by several notable attractions, making it easy to combine a relaxing hot spring stay with sightseeing.
One of the most famous nearby destinations is the Adachi Museum of Art, internationally renowned for its beautiful Japanese garden. Its extensive garden covers approximately 13,000 tsubo and displays different scenery throughout the four seasons. Inside the museum, visitors can also admire masterpieces of modern Japanese painting, including works by Yokoyama Taikan.
Another nearby attraction is the Yasugi-bushi Entertainment Hall, where visitors can enjoy performances of Yasugi-bushi, one of Shimane’s best-known traditional folk songs.
The humorous Dojo Sukui Odori, or “loach-scooping dance,” is particularly famous. Performers use exaggerated movements inspired by catching loaches, while traditional zeni-daiko performances add to the lively atmosphere. Some programs also allow visitors to try the traditional dances themselves, providing an enjoyable way to experience local culture.
A Peaceful Retreat Where Nature, Culture, and Hot Springs Meet
Saginoyu Onsen brings together three important elements of the Yasugi area: historic hot springs, beautiful nature, and traditional culture.
It may not have the large-scale atmosphere of Japan’s famous resort towns, but its peaceful character is precisely what makes it special. The quiet river, surrounding mountains, traditional inns, and abundant natural hot spring water create an environment where visitors can slow down and relax.
Nearby, the Adachi Museum of Art offers an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Japanese gardens and paintings, while the Yasugi-bushi Entertainment Hall introduces the region’s traditional performing arts. After exploring these cultural attractions, soaking in the historic waters of Saginoyu Onsen provides a perfect way to unwind.
For travelers exploring the San’in region, Saginoyu Onsen is a wonderful place to experience a quieter side of Japan. Surrounded by nature and enriched by more than a thousand years of history, it offers an opportunity to relax in an authentic hot spring setting while discovering the culture and traditions of Yasugi.