Tamatsukuri Onsen

(Source : pixta)

Situated about 2 km from Shinji lake, Tamatsukuri Onsen is a hot spring that can be reached as you walk towards the upper stream of Tamayu river. In fact, this is an historical hot spring place mentioned in Izumonokuni Fudoku edited in 733. It is also a famous place for agate mining. You can also find "Magatabashi" bridge, which is a landmark of Tamatsukuri Onsen. Across the Tamayu river, there are approx. 15 hotels - modern Western style and traditional Japanese style. Even if you don't stay over night to enjoy the famous hot spring bath, you can still enjoy a foot bath on the side of the river.

(Source: pixta)

Japan's best hot spring water for beautiful skin

The hot spring water of Tamatsukuri is known as Japan's oldest hot spring water. According to Izumonokuni Fudoku, it is written that, "If you take a bath once, your skin will become younger. If you take a bath twice, you will cure any disease." From this tale, this spring water is called "hot spring water for beautiful skin" or "godly hot spring water." Now we know that the water contains sodium, calcium, sulfate, chloride, which are said to be responsible to restore the firmness of your skin.

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Try a foot bath!

Foot bath is a great way to try a hot spring bath. Along the river, there is a place where you can try a foot bath for free. The place is usually crowded with tourists. There is also another foot bath where you can try spring water of the source. Most people, however, are unable to put feet inside the water because the temperature is over 60℃. That's why this foot bath in which spring water is mixed with cool water is more popular.

(Source: pixta)

Fill a bottle with "Natural moisturizing water"

Among approx. 180 hot spring baths in Japan, Tamatsukuri Onsen is Japan's best hot spring bath that makes your skin beautiful. In fact, this hot spring water is "Natural moisturizing water." As you get off the bus at Tamatsukuri Onsen stop near the Tamatsukuriyu shrine, you will see "Taraiyu" where you can bring back the source water in a bottle for free! If you don't have any plastic bottle, you can also purchase one for 200 yen.