Yunokami Onsen
Named for the God of hot springs
A special hot spring town is dedicated to the God of hot springs, called Yunokami. Watching over the town from dawn to dusk is Onotake a mountain of strange rocks and mysterious stones. Like a deity protecting the Onsen town, and the stuff of mythology and legend.
Discover Yunokami Onsen
The town’s train station is a unique and rustic point of entry being the only station building in Japan to have a thatched roof. Past and present combine in stillness as visitors dip weary feet into foot baths while pink blossoms fall from twigs and flutter down to gather on the streets in Spring. All of the traditional Japanese inns draw from the home spring source, a transparent pool of eight clear springs with soft and gentle water that is kind to the skin. The clear stream of the Okawa Valley comes to this scenic spot upstream of the Agano River. Other seasons bring their colours to enjoy the beauty of the valley.
Overlooking Okawa River is a “Hetsuri” an Aizu word meaning “a steep slope”. The 200 metre national natural monument, Tonohetsuri Crags consists of tower shaped cliffs formed around 28 million years ago and feature deep cracks along the vertical joints. Autumn is spectacular as the turning trees grow between white rocks. Spring and summer carpet rocks in lush green and heavy snows in winter blanket the rocks into a wonderland.
