[Tottori] One of the best radon springs in the world! 7 recommended ryokan in Sanin's famous hot spring "Misasa onsen"

Have you ever found yourself feeling fatigued without even realizing it as you spend your busy days? When that happens, why not go on a trip to onsen to slowly soothe your tired body and mind? There are many onsen springs all over Japan, but this time we will introduce Misasa onsen in Tottori. This is especially recommended for those who like a relaxing, old-fashioned, retro atmosphere.

Misasa onsen, known for the saying "you will feel refreshed after waking up three times in the morning," is a tranquil onsen town with the atmosphere of a good old hot spring resort. The waters of Misasa onsen are among the most radioactive in the world, containing high concentrations of radon. It is said that radon has a "hormesis effect" that activates metabolism and boosts immunity and the body's natural healing powers. Experience the effects of this onsen with your whole body - you can bathe in it, drink it, and inhale it!

"onsen Hondori" is full of nostalgic charm. The area is also dotted with mini galleries called "Yunomachi Gallery," which have ryokan and shops turned into small museums. Why not take a stroll around the area during your stay, satisfy your hunger, or look for souvenirs? Now that you know the charms of Misasa onsen, we'll introduce some recommended ryokan.

Completed in 1932, ryokan Ohashi is a designated tangible cultural property of Japan. The hotel is elegant and has a stately, calm atmosphere. All rooms face the river, making it a great location with a view of the Mitoku River. The food is also filling, starting from breakfast, so make sure you come early!

The photo shows Gankutsu no Yu, which has not only radium springs but also the only thorium spring in Misasa onsen. You can enjoy a natural rock bath where the spring water gushes out directly from under your feet. The ground is quite rough, so please be careful when entering the bath.

The photo shows the Taiko Bridge, which is designated as one of the country's registered tangible cultural properties. From the outside, it has the shape of a curved bridge. We recommend you actually walk across it. Inside the building, there are other items that give you a sense of tradition, such as hanging scrolls by famous people and wavy glass. It's fun to explore around.

Misasakan is a castle-style Japanese ryokan. When you enter through the entrance, the first thing that catches your eye is the Japanese garden that spreads out in front of the lobby. There are Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western rooms, and Western-style rooms. The concept rooms include a type with an open-air bath with its own hot spring source, so this is recommended for those who want to stay in.

The 3300m2 Japanese garden bath is divided into two zones: the "Niwa no Yu" (Garden Bath) surrounded by the garden, and the "Takinoyu) that surrounds the waterfall from the spring source. We especially recommend the rose bath "Barahi no Yu" in the "Niwa no Yu" (Garden Bath). Approximately 200 roses float in the bath every day between 3pm and 10pm. Please enjoy a luxurious bath that is both visually beautiful and has an elegant scent.

Breakfast is a buffet with a rich selection of about 50 local dishes. In the live kitchen, you can enjoy freshly made dishes such as rolled omelets cooked right in front of you using eggs from a local chicken farm, as well as fried foods and grilled fish. The Western food corner has a wide selection of hot meals such as potage soup, penne, and seasonal macaroni gratin. Enjoy dishes made with plenty of local ingredients.

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Izanro Iwasaki is a historic ryokan that was founded in 1920. Many memorabilia that have been loved by the imperial family and literary figures are on display. The spacious guest rooms are built in a purely Japanese style, exuding a sense of atmosphere. In addition to Japanese-style rooms, there are also Japanese-Western style rooms that are perfect for those who prefer beds.

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At this ryokan you can enjoy the "Yama no Yu" open-air bath in a large garden. It is divided into two zones: the rustic "Hidano Yu" and the "Midano Yu" where you can enjoy a retro atmosphere. By the way, the photo is of the right bath, which was recently renovated in 2019. There are steam baths, reclining baths, foot baths, saunas, and more, so be sure to take a look around♪

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In addition to luxurious dinners such as Tottori Wagyu beef and Matsuba crab, the carefully prepared breakfast is also noteworthy. Locally grown vegetables and rice, as well as freshly made tofu delivered every morning, are lined up with ingredients that can only be found here. By the way, the only ingredient in the chawanmushi is plum! Its mild flavor is apparently popular with regular customers. It's a menu that seems gentle on the stomach and intestines, even when you're feeling a little tired.

"Misasa Onsen Mansuiro no Yu Mansuirou" is ryokan that is also recommended for modern hot spring therapy. There are several staff members who are certified as bathing advisors for Misasa onsen, called Rajimurie, so you can feel free to ask them for advice on how to bathe. When you arrive, you will be treated to matcha tea, so please take a break in the lounge first♪

In the large bath, "Oyakushi-sama-no-yu," you can enjoy radium spring water that flows directly from the source. The name comes from the Kannon statue that emerged from the ground during onsen digging. This Kannon statue is enshrined in the bath area, and you can drink the water that springs up nearby. With such a blessed name, the hot onsen feels even more effective. We also recommend a private onsen in the large cypress bath.

There are two meal options within the hotel. At the private restaurant Hanaikada shown in the photo, you can enjoy a leisurely meal while feeling the atmosphere of a Kyoto teahouse. The specialty dish, Kaisen Ishiyaki, where seafood ingredients and Tottori beef are grilled on a hot stone, is highly recommended. The other is the grilled room, Kawasemi Sajiki. In this modern Japanese dining room, you can enjoy local delicacies such as Tohaku beef and Matsuba crab along with fine sake.

"Kiya Ryokan" is an ryokan associated with Miyazawa Kenji, and the entire building is designated as a registered tangible cultural property. It has also been certified as a Japanese Heritage site and a onsen heritage site. The building is divided into Meiji, Taisho, and Showa era buildings, and as a result of being expanded and renovated many times, some parts are like a maze. It might be interesting to explore the building and think about the changes in the times.

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In the private bath "Rakusen no Yu," which can be used by one person, you can enjoy the sensation of the hot spring water bubbling up from under your feet. There is also a drinking spring corner, a wet sauna, and a bedrock bath, so please try them out according to your physical condition.

For those who want to have more fun and be more relaxed during their stay, there are various services available exclusively for guests staying at the hotel. On the "Mt. Mitoku Tour," you can choose from activities such as visiting the Ippei-do Temple or exploring the jungle. You can also seek out extra relaxation with "Ondol Yoga" or "Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion." There are also "Agricultural Experiences" and "Indigo Dyeing Experiences." It seems like it would be fun to stay a little longer and enjoy these services to the fullest.

"Shunsai no Yado Iwayu" is a hidden Japanese inn for adults with a total of nine rooms where you don't have to worry about it being crowded. The inside of the building is covered with tatami mats, so it has a warm atmosphere even in winter. In addition to the Japanese-style rooms in the main building, you can also stay in the detached "Takenoyado", which has one guest room per day. The photo shows the exterior of the detached building. The garden open-air bath is spacious enough that even the whole family can easily use it.

The baths are filled with water from a private hot spring, which is a little hotter at 42-44 degrees. The women's bath is located underground, so the entire bathroom is even warmer.

Women can borrow stylish yukatas for free. Wear your favorite one and enjoy taking photos.

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Koraku has the dignity of a purely Japanese building. The first thing you see at the entrance is the Nagayamon gate made entirely of Zelkova. Just passing through the imposing gate is exciting. The entrance lobby was also moved from an old house in Inaba, and the pillars and beams have an overwhelming presence. If you like Japanese-style architecture, it's definitely worth a visit.

The large public bath, "Koraku-no-Yu," has a very simple design. You can also enjoy the river view.

O meal is a kaiseki cuisine restaurant that uses a variety of local ingredients such as Tottori black Japanese beef and Misasa Koshihikari rice. They are licensed as a designated Tottori Wagyu beef seller, so all the beef served is Tottori Wagyu. Seafood such as crab is good, but hearing that makes you want to eat Wagyu as well ♡.

source:Contribution of Suzumaru

Near Misasa onsen is the famous Nageiredo Hall of the Mitoku-san Sanbutsu-ji Temple, which stands on a cliff. It is a national treasure and is definitely worth seeing, but it is a steep climb, so we recommend doing some research beforehand.

If you take a stroll or soak in onsen in a traditional onsen town, you will surely feel refreshed, not just once, but once you wake up in the morning. Why not go on a trip that will not only soothe your body and mind, but also recharge your energy?