Yujuku Onsen Taiyokan

Taiyokan is a hot spring inn in Yujuku Onsen, part of the Sarugakyo-Mikuni onsen area in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. Sitting near the Niigata border at the entrance to the Mikuni Pass, it retains the quiet, stone-paved atmosphere of a traditional healing spa. Its source, known as Taiyo-no-yu (Sun's Bath), is said to have been discovered by the monk Kosu-doshi in the year 852 during the Heian period.

The water is a sodium-calcium sulfate spring with a source temperature of 59.1C and a pH of 8.0 (weakly alkaline), with a total dissolved content of about 1.31 g/kg. It is served free-flowing from the source without heating, recirculation, or chlorination, cooled only with a little added water because of its high temperature. The colorless, transparent water carries a taste of mirabilite and gypsum with a hint of salt, and is said to benefit high blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatism, and neuralgia.

In addition to the second-floor indoor bath Taiyo-no-yu, the inn offers three private baths, an open-air bath, a large indoor bath, and a smaller indoor bath, each with its own character. Day-trip bathing costs 700 yen for adults and 500 yen for children, open 11:00-15:00 (last entry 14:00); from 15:00 to 20:00 only the private baths are available (50 minutes, 2,200-3,300 yen). Overnight stays include an all-inclusive plan, and free parking for 20 cars is available.