Yugashima Onsen Ochiairo

Ochiairo is a hot spring inn on the Kano River in Yugashima, Izu City, Shizuoka. Founded in 1874 as Ochiairo, it was later known as Ochiairo Murakami and now operates under the name Ochiairo. The inn welcomed writers such as Toson Shimazaki and Yasunari Kawabata, and some of its buildings are nationally registered tangible cultural properties.

The water is a calcium and sodium sulfate spring from the Amagi-Yugashima area. It is hypotonic, mildly alkaline and hot, with a pH of 8.1. It is known as a skin-softening spring. The inn draws on three sources, Otaki (Yugashima No. 28), Kamaishi (Yugashima No. 18) and Nishitaira (Yugashima No. 29), with a total flow of about 155 liters per minute. The large baths use 100 percent source water in a free-flowing system, with heating from around October to March. Guest-room baths are free-flowing with heating and added water.

There are three bathing areas: Tengu no Yu, a mixed cave bath and open-air bath where swimwear is required; Tsuki no Yu, an indoor bath with a tea-house style sauna; and Hoshi no Yu, an open-air bath. Tsuki no Yu and Hoshi no Yu switch between men and women by time slot. The inn has 17 rooms, and stays are mainly offered with dinner and breakfast.