Ojiro Onsen Nakasaya Ryokan

Nakasaya Ryokan sits in the Ojiro district of Kami Town, deep in the Tajima highlands of northern Hyogo Prefecture. The inn stands in the Otani hamlet along the Kusube River at roughly 240 metres above sea level, close to the Hyonosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park. Terraced rice fields and cedar groves surround the village, which belongs to the association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan. The ryokan has been in business for more than half a century, and its name is said to come from a wartime officer who lodged here while holding the rank of lieutenant colonel.

The water is classified as a simple thermal spring, and the inn lists relief for muscle pain, neuralgia and poor circulation among its stated benefits. The bath is described as soft on the skin, without strong colouring or pronounced odour. Source temperature, pH and the Hot Spring Law declarations covering heating, dilution, filtration and disinfection are not published, so travellers who want those details should ask the inn directly.

Bathing is in two indoor baths, both reserved for private family use, available from 17:00 to 22:00. The inn has only ten Japanese-style guest rooms, with check-in at 15:00 and check-out at 10:00, plus parking for about six cars including covered spaces. Meals feature Tajima beef sukiyaki and shabu-shabu, snow crab in winter, seasonal mountain vegetables and the house speciality of softshell turtle. Room-only rates start at 4,730 yen and half-board from 9,790 yen; day-use bathing plans are currently suspended.