- 2024.06.11
- Hot Springs
Shimane: Home to Japan's Oldest Beauty Spring (plus 60 more!)
With more than 60 hot springs to choose from scattered throughout the region, many ranking in Japan's "top three hot springs for beautiful skin" and "top three hot springs for beautiful people," Shimane Prefecture is the place to be for hot spring enthusiasts.
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Tamatsukuri Onsen
At around 1,300 years old, Tamatsukuri Onsen in Matsue City is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan. The water is widely known to have beautifying effects on the skin as recent studies have shown that it is rich in the same moisturizing components used in skincare products. Finally, the rows of bathhouses and cherry blossom trees that line the river add to the allure of the townscape.
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Yunotsu Onsen
Yunotsu Onsen forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. Once a thriving silver shipping port, the hot spring town is now Japan's sole officially designated Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings. Spend some time in the hot springs before wandering through the historical town, lined with buildings featuring architecture spanning multiple centuries, from the modern-day era all the way back to the 1600s.
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Matsue Lake Shinji Onsen
Lake Shinji is one of Shimane Prefecture's most famous scenic spots and one of Japan's top 100 most scenic lakes, and Matsue Shinjiko Onsen offers an incredible view over its northern shore. The hot spring water is sourced from 1,250 m below ground and sits naturally at 77 degrees Celsius. Once you've enjoyed your bath looking over the majestic Lake Shinji, come back to sample some of the seafood in what's known as the "seven delicacies of Lake Shinji."
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Saginoyu Onsen
Saginoyu Onsen is a hot spring village nestled within the lush natural surroundings of Shimane Prefecture, and is nearby the Adachi Museum of Art, home to Japan's greatest garden. The hot spring was active all the way back in 724 CE, and legend has it that an injured white heron once landed in the water and was instantly healed. Ever since, people have been coming to visit the hot spring for its restorative properties. Why not see for yourself and stop by after a visit to the gardens?