Tamatsukuri Onsen Yumoto Tamaikan

Yumoto Tamaikan is a small, traditional Japanese wooden ryokan with only six guest rooms, standing in the heart of the Tamatsukuri Onsen hot spring district in Tamayucho Tamatsukuri, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. Originally built in the late Meiji era under the name Hamaya, the inn was renamed Tamaikan in the early Showa period. The building is over 100 years old and preserves the nostalgic atmosphere of old Tamatsukuri Onsen. The history of Tamatsukuri Onsen itself is remarkably ancient: the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki, compiled in 733 during the Nara period, records that bathing once restores youthful beauty and bathing twice cures all ailments. Sei Shonagon''s Pillow Book also lists Tamatsukuri alongside Nanakuri and Arima as one of Japan''s three finest hot springs.

The spring quality is a sodium-calcium sulfate-chloride spring (hypotonic, mildly alkaline, high-temperature spring). Tamaikan''s private source wells up from 31 meters below the inn''s garden. The source temperature is 55 degrees Celsius with a mildly alkaline pH of 8.1, and the water is rich in metasilicic acid, earning its renowned reputation as a beautifying spring. Sulfate ions provide firmness and moisture to the skin, while the alkaline water delivers a natural cleansing effect. All baths use the inn''s own free-flowing source water, and bathing is available throughout the night.

The inn has two bathing areas: Yume-no-Yu (indoor bath with open-air bath) and Tama-no-Yu (rock-style indoor bath), which alternate between male and female use around 22:00 so guests can enjoy both. As an adults-only establishment, a tranquil atmosphere is maintained. Evening meals are served in guest rooms, and breakfast features Nita rice cooked in a traditional hagama iron pot. Complimentary services include all-you-can-drink draft beer from check-in until 18:00 and all-you-can-eat ice cream from 18:00 to 22:00.