Yarimi no Yu Yarimikan

Yarimikan is a solitary ryokan in Shinhotaka Onsen, part of the Okuhida hot spring villages in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, standing on the banks of the clear Gamata River at the foot of the Northern Japan Alps. Founded in 1925, the inn began when its first owner discovered hot water welling up from the riverbed and opened it to mountaineers and local residents; the spot was long known as Yarimi Onsen and cherished by climbers and therapeutic bathers. The main building is a relocated and restored village headman's manor more than 200 years old, and the inn is a member of the Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns (Nihon Hitou wo Mamoru Kai).

The water is a simple hot spring (hypotonic, neutral, high-temperature) with a pH of about 6.9. Fed by one private source and one shared source, the baths are free-flowing from the source without circulation or chlorination; because the source runs hot, some tubs are cooled with added water in summer. The abundant, colorless and transparent water is known for a silky, lotion-like feel on the skin.

Bathing facilities include the famous mixed-gender riverside rotenburo 'Yarimi no Yu' with a direct view of Mt. Yarigatake (reserved for women from 7:00 to 9:00), the 24-hour mixed open-air bath 'Manten no Yu', the women-only open-air bath 'Iwami no Yu', gender-separated indoor baths, four private-use open-air baths (Banryu no Yu, Keiryu no Yu, Hotaru no Yu and Mori no Yu) and a footbath, for a total of seven rotenburo. Day-trip bathing is available from 10:00 to 14:00 (last entry 13:30) for 800 yen for adults and 500 yen for children. The inn has 15 guest rooms, with overnight stays including two meals from around 19,800 yen.