Yumoto Onsen Ryokan Ichijo

Ryokan Ichijo is a traditional Japanese inn in Yumoto Onsen, the historic core of the Yuda Onsen Gorge in Nishiwaga, Iwate Prefecture, deep in the Ou Mountains. Yumoto Onsen is said to have been discovered in 1658 during the Edo period, making it the oldest of the hot springs that make up the gorge. The Meiji-era poet Masaoka Shiki stayed here, and the surrounding valley around Lake Kinshu is designated an Iwate prefectural natural park.

The water is a sodium sulfate-chloride spring emerging at roughly 90 degrees Celsius, with an abundant flow of about 550 liters per minute. It is served undiluted as 100 percent free-flowing spring water, clear and colorless with a soft feel on the skin. Sulfate springs of this type are valued for retaining body heat, and the water is traditionally recommended for cuts, burns, chronic skin conditions and hardening of the arteries.

Bathing is in separate indoor baths for men and women; there is no open-air bath. The guest rooms and main bath were renovated in 2023, and all eleven rooms have their own hot spring bath, some in ceramic tubs and some in Japanese cypress. Day visitors are welcome from 10:00 to 15:00 for 500 yen per adult and 300 yen per child, and free parking for fifteen cars is available.