[Shimane] Take a winter gourmet trip to eat plump crabs! 9 onsen ryokan and hotels where you can enjoy "matsuba crab"

Winter is the season when crabs are delicious! Crab can be boiled, grilled, or cooked in a hot pot.The appeal of crab is endless.This time we will be introducing ``Matsuba crab,'' which is famous as a winter delicacy in the San'in region. Why not go on a trip to eat Matsuba crab with your best friend or loved one?

"Matsuba crab" is a mature male snow crab that can be caught off the coast of San'in in the Sea of Japan. Depending on the region where it is landed, it is also called ``Taiza crab'', ``Echizen crab'', or ``Snow crab''. Most of the Matsuba crab fishing is done in the waters near Oki Island, and one of the reasons for its deliciousness is that it can be brought back to the port alive. Let's go eat Matsuba crab, which has an elegant taste packed with umami that can only be enjoyed in Shimane, during the winter season!

If you search for lodgings in Shimane where you can enjoy crab, you will find many onsen ryokan and hotels. If you are visiting Shimane, which is also known as the "beautiful skin prefecture," you will want to soak in onsen. So this time, we have picked out onsen ryokan and hotels where you can enjoy "matsuba crab." We will introduce five onsen resorts, including "onsen," which is also a power spot, and "Matsue Shinjiko onsen," where you can enjoy a view of Lake Shinji! Enjoy the crab and soak in onsen to fully satisfy both your mind and body.

Keisuien Minami located in onsen, which is famous for its beautiful skin, is a Sukiya-style ryokan located on the banks of the Tamayu River. It's located about 5 minutes by car from JR onsen Station, and if you make a reservation, you can receive a shuttle. If it's a nice day, it's a good idea to take a walk while heading there.

The winter-only crab plan includes boiled and grilled crab for dinner, as well as live crab sashimi and rice dishes. Enjoy the fresh Matsuba crab delivered directly from Sakaiminato, which is one of the top crab catchers.

This is the observation bath "Tenyu no Yu". This bath on the top floor offers a panoramic view of onsen town and mountains. Relax your body and mind as you feel like you are floating in the sky. There are also hand and foot baths, so you can enjoy a quick onsen.

There are 3 types of rooms with onsen. This is one of them, a Japanese-Western style room called "Kumonone". Equipped with an open-air bath, twin beds, and a terrace. Stretch your legs on the tatami mats, go out to the terrace and soak up the sun...please enjoy your time in a way that suits you.

onsen Yunosuke no Yado Chorakuen, is a traditional onsen ryokan that was founded in the first year of the Meiji era. It is approximately 5 minutes by car from JR onsen Onsen Station and 5 minutes by car from Matsue onsen IC. There is also a Chorakuen shuttle bus, so please consider using that on days when the weather is bad.

The winter limited ``Matsuba Crab Kaiseki'' includes ``boiled crab'' where you can enjoy the original flavor of Matsuba crab, ``sashi crab'' where you can enjoy the sweetness of fresh crab, and ``grilled crab'' with an irresistible aroma and concentrated umami. You can enjoy a lot of taste. The course is full of crab, such as crab tempura and cooked rice, so you can enjoy comparing the differences in flavor depending on the cooking method. It also comes with dessert, which is great for women♪

At Chorakuen, you can't miss the large mixed open-air bath. Its name is "Ryugu no Yu". With an overwhelming size of 120 tsubo, you can fully soak in the hot spring water of onsen. There are separate changing rooms for men and women, and you can wear bath clothes like bath towels when taking a bath, so it's safe even for women. The Rotenburo Theater, which plays videos about Shimane's history and tourism, is also a good reference for sightseeing, so be sure to check it out during the opening hours.

Approximately 5 minutes by car from JR onsen Onsen Station, onsen Hotel Gyokusen is a hot onsen hotel that boasts a Japanese garden called Kyokusui Garden (pictured). Bonfires are lit every night, and the fantastic scenery is so beautiful that it will make you forget your busy daily life. At the Refreshment Lounge on the 1st floor, you can enjoy alcoholic drinks such as local sake (15:00-18:00) and soft drinks (15:00-21:00, 7:00-10:00 the next morning).

This hotel also offers a variety of dinner plans where you can enjoy crab dishes. You can enjoy tagged Matsuba crab as boiled crab, sashimi, grilled crab, chawanmushi with crab miso, sukishabu, ochazuke, and more, which is the height of luxury. If you're going to the hotel, why not splurge and enjoy a luxurious dinner?

After enjoying dinner, relax and soothe in the spacious and elegant onsen public bath. There is ``Iwanoyu,'' which has an impressive rustic rock bath as shown in the photo, and ``Hinoki Hinoyu,'' which has a soothing scent and soft texture, and both come with a dry sauna. We also recommend a private bath filled with natural onsen water that you can relax and enjoy without worrying about other people watching you.

Guests can choose from a variety of styles, including Western-style single and twin rooms, Japanese-style rooms, and special rooms. The photo shows the ``Japanese-style room'' facing the Japanese garden where you can enjoy a calm and Japanese space. At night, you can relax while looking out at the ``Kyokusui Garden'' illuminated by the gentle light of bonfires. You can choose between a 12.5 tatami room and a 20 tatami room, making it perfect for large group trips.

Ryotei onsen, located in Tamatsukuri Onsen, has a total of 38 rooms. It is a retro inn that is a bit small, rustic, and has a nostalgic feel. It takes about 10 minutes by car from JR onsen Onsen Station, but you can get a free shuttle if you make a reservation in advance, so you don't have to worry.

source:Contribution of Pandayu

meal will be served at the restaurant "Kachotei 2nd floor". ``Yamai'' offers a wide variety of menus, from standard seasonal kaiseki dishes to seasonal special dishes. In winter, we offer a plan for two people that includes a plate of tagged Matsuba crab with seasonal sashimi or Shimane Wagyu beef, and a plan that includes a plate of ``live crab'' for two people in the ``raw'' state, such as ``crab sashimi, steamed crab,'' You can fully enjoy the flavor of crab with dishes like ``Grilled Crab'' and ``Cho-Tsutaku Kaiseki,'' which can be eaten in three different ways.

This is Kagetsu, an open-air bath for women. This bath has a refreshing atmosphere with a refreshing bamboo forest and clear water. Enjoy onsen, which was recorded in the Izumo Fudoki in ancient times, and is still a popular onsen that is said to cure all illnesses and make you beautiful!

There are two types of guest rooms: ``Kissentei'' where you can feel calm and at home, and ``Kachoutei'' where you can relax in an elegant atmosphere. The photo is a 10 tatami Japanese-style room at Kachotei. You can see the mountains clearly from the window and feel the natural air.

Yunokawa Onsen onsen onsen is located in Yunokawa Onsen, which is said to be one of the three most beautiful hot springs in Japan. This is an old folk house detached inn that has evolved and revived an old folk house from the Edo period. About 10 minutes walk from JR Shobara Station, 10 minutes by car from Shinji IC. We can also pick you up from the station, so let's talk in advance. Accommodation is a quiet inn for adults over junior high school students.

source:Contribution of AKM

In winter, try the plan that includes half a cup of live Matsuba crab, a sweet and elegant dish packed with the flavor of the Sea of Japan. It's a luxurious meal where you can eat black-throat fish, Shimane Wagyu beef, and even freshwater clams! Sake is the best choice for crab, but this inn has a sommelier who can help you choose a wine that goes well with the crab.

source:Contribution of anonymity

Sanbijin no Yu, the hot spring source from Yunokawa onsen, is directly fed into the bathtub. This is a private bath made from Kimachi stone, which is found on the south shore of Lake Shinji. The walls are covered with tiles, giving it a mysterious atmosphere. The gourd-shaped bath with beautiful light from the stained glass and the bath facing the garden where you can enjoy the greenery are also private baths. Enjoy your own onsen without being disturbed.

There are rooms with different tastes, such as the ``Old Folk House Annex'', which is an evolved and revived old folk house from the Edo period, the ``Shiunkaku'', which has a structure that embodies the atmosphere of Izumo, and the ``Healing Inn'', which overlooks a beautiful garden. This is an old folk house type "Shoya". It comes with a spacious semi-open-air bath with natural hot spring water, so you can bathe in it as many times as you like. Feels like a villa with antique furniture, wood terrace, and private garden♪

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"Saginoyuso" in Saginoyu onsen is a relaxing ryokan located in onsen surrounded by rich nature. The Adachi Museum of Art, famous for its Japanese garden, is about a 1-minute walk away, so it's easy to go to admire the garden first thing in the morning. About 15 minutes by car from JR Yasugi Station. There is a shuttle bus to the Adachi Museum of Art, so if you don't have a car, use that.

In addition to live crab sashimi and live crab sushi, the ``live crab kaiseki'' includes ``Matsuba crab'' such as boiled crab, grilled crab, crab sukiyaki small pot, crab tempura, and crab porridge. Be sure to take photos of your food! Enjoy the flavor of live Matsuba crab to your heart's content by cooking it in a variety of ways.

Long ago, onsen was named Sagi-no-Yu because a white heron healed the wounds on its feet. There are two private baths, and this is a private open-air bath called ``Iwatsuyu.'' There is also an open-air bath and a large public bath where you can feel the nature, so please feel free to visit the bath of your choice.

This is a room called "Tsubaki" which has an open-air garden bath. This open-air bath also has natural hot spring water. There is also a long, narrow area next to the bathtub filled with hot water, which is used for footbaths. You can enjoy a luxurious time having the garden and onsen all to yourself.

Matsue Shinjiko onsen Minamikan, located on the shores of Lake Shinji in Matsue City, is a long-established ryokan founded in 1888. Many celebrities and cultural figures have stayed here, including Ryunosuke Akutagawa and Toson Shimazaki, and that history is on display at the Inishie Lounge Kotori on the first floor. Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Matsue Station. The location is within walking distance of Matsue Castle, so you can enjoy a leisurely tour of the castle town.

If you make a reservation under the "Kanizukushi" plan, you can enjoy a kaiseki meal of live Matsuba crab with vinegar crab, grilled crab, or crab sashimi for dinner. For those who want to eat Matsuba crab and branded beef while traveling to Shimane, we also have a plan where you can enjoy Matsuba crab sashimi, boiled crab, and Shimane Wagyu sirloin steak♪

``Matsue Shinjiko onsen'' is also known as ``Beautiful Skin Hot Spring'' due to its colorless and transparent water with a smooth texture. At this ryokan, you can enjoy onsen in a variety of baths with different tastes in each guest room. The photo shows the open-air bath with a view in the guest room of the villa "Mizunoto". Spend a relaxing time soaking in the onsen while looking out at Lake Shinji.

There are a total of 16 guest rooms, including rooms with open-air baths overlooking Lake Shinji, retro-modern guest rooms, and detached rooms where you can enjoy a luxurious stay. The ``Lake View Suite'' guest room is located on the top floor and offers a panoramic view of Lake Shinji. Among them, ``Myojo'' shown in the photo is a luxurious room with a spacious living room with a sunroom, a relaxing Japanese-style room, and an open-air bath surrounded by yukimi shoji screens. Recommended for staying on important days♪

``Matsue Shinjiko onsen Shoheikaku'' is a classical onsen inn with Japanese architecture facing Lake Shinji. It has a beautiful Japanese garden, where you can spend your time in a calm environment surrounded by refreshing nature. meal are served in in-room dining, drinks are all-inclusive, and services such as colored yukata rentals are also available. Access is approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Matsue Station, and approximately 3 minutes on foot from Matsue-Shinjiko onsen Station.

source:Posted by an amateur reviewer

It's nice that you can enjoy your meal at the comfort of your room. There are many plans where you can taste Matsuba crab, including the "Matsuba Crab Kaiseki" plan, which includes boiled and grilled crab. Drinks are all-inclusive and can be ordered one drink at a time, so you can enjoy pairing your food with beer, sake, or other drinks.

You can soak in the natural onsen springs at two large public baths, ``Urashima-no-Yu'' and ``Tenny-no-Yu,'' which have large open-air baths. The sulfuric acid onsen, which are colorless and transparent and blend well into your skin, will lead to beautiful skin. You can bathe from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the baths are alternated between men and women, so why not enjoy a different style of bath each morning and evening?

You can choose from a variety of guest rooms with a Japanese feel, including rooms with open-air baths and rooms with spectacular lake views. We recommend the ``Special Room with Rock Open-air Bath'' where you can have the tasteful open-air bath all to yourself. It is a simple and beautiful Japanese-style room with a folk art style, and when you open the shoji screen, you can see Lake Shinji and step out into the Japanese garden. Let's relax while drinking teahouse coffee selected by the young proprietress.

``Mihonoseki onsen Ryokan ryokan National Cultural Property Inn'' is ryokan with a history of about 120 years, located on Aoishi Tatami Street in Mihonosekicho, Matsue City, about 15 minutes by car from JR Sakaiminato Station. The main building, which has remained since its founding, is a valuable building that is registered as a nationally registered tangible cultural property. Both the exterior and interior of the hotel have a Taisho romantic atmosphere that will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time. For women, we also rent yukata, so change into a yukata and feel like you're traveling ♡

Dinner will be served in the new building. We are proud of our meal, which allow you to enjoy plenty of fresh seafood delivered every morning from Sakaiminato, Tottori, located across from Mihonoseki. Don't miss the plan that allows you to eat 2.5 servings of plump crab, which is packed with meat. You can enjoy the deliciousness of crab in dishes such as crab hotpot, steamed crab, and chawanmushi.

The appeal of this ryokan 's large public bath is that you can soak while gazing at the majestic ocean. On the seventh floor of the new building, there is a large open-air bath (photo) that is open 24 hours a day, and on the rooftop there is a private open-air bath (fee required, reservation required). You can enjoy the beautiful ocean view, which changes its appearance depending on the time of day, while soaking in Mihonoseki onsen.

The guest rooms include pure Japanese-style guest rooms in the new building, as well as villas and guesthouses that are renovated old folk houses and boat inns, all of which have quaint spaces that take advantage of the atmosphere of the building. ``Bettei Tsukinarikyu'', which has a Japanese modern concept, is a photogenic room with a luxurious semi-open-air ceramic bath and retro furniture. Coffee and Japanese tea are always available, so you can relax and enjoy your stay.

If you have a plan where you can eat crab at ryokan, you'll be happy to know that you can also try other Shimane specialties as well. Savor the delicious Matsuba crab and relax in onsen springs. Please share such a blissful moment with your friends and lovers who are traveling with you ♡