Yamani Senyukan

Yamani Senyukan, located in Kuradate, Owani Town, Minamitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, is the oldest surviving inn in Owani Onsen. Owani Onsen is a historic hot spring resort with over 800 years of history, said to have been discovered by the monk Enchi Shonin in the early Kamakura period, and long known as the tranquil rear parlor of the Tsugaru region. During the Edo period it earned a special rank on the hot spring rating charts. Yamani Senyukan was founded in 1872 (Meiji 5), and its current main building dates from 1897 (Meiji 30); the main building and storehouse are designated National Registered Tangible Cultural Properties. It served as lodging for imperial attendants during Emperor Meiji's 1881 tour, and in 1929 the 20-year-old writer Osamu Dazai stayed here with his mother, making it a place beloved by many literary figures and dignitaries.

The spring is a sodium-calcium chloride-sulfate spring, colorless, transparent, and weakly alkaline. Combining the qualities of chloride and sulfate springs, it offers strong warming and moisturizing effects and is said to be beneficial for sensitivity to cold, skin beauty, rheumatism, and neuralgia.

The inn's highlight is the Roman-no-Izumi bath, which recreates a Taisho-era romantic atmosphere. Exotic Majolica tiles are set into the tub floor and around the spouts, with a crocodile-shaped spout echoing the town's name. The men's and women's baths differ in their glasswork and design, and the tiles glowing in filtered light have earned the bath a reputation as a jewel box. Room-only stays start from around 9,000 yen and two-meal plans from around 13,500 yen, with single occupancy available. Free parking for 12 cars is provided.