Akayu Onsen Yuyado Masugataya

Yuyado Masugataya is a Japanese-style inn in Nanyo, Yamagata Prefecture, set a short way from the center of Akayu Onsen, a hot spring town said to have been in use for more than 920 years. Six of its 18 rooms accept guests traveling with dogs.

The water is a colorless, clear chloride spring containing sodium and calcium. It is served as 100 percent natural kakenagashi with no recirculation, reheating or dilution, and is said to be good for atopic dermatitis, eczema, skin care, rheumatism and neuralgia. The water is not for drinking.

The baths are separate large public baths for men and women, called Hiko-no-yu and Hime-no-yu. There is no open-air bath, private bath or sauna. Parking for 15 cars is free for overnight guests. The bathing tax is 150 yen per person (75 yen for elementary school children), and check-in starts at 15:00. Please confirm the price and hours for day-trip bathing in advance.