Yutagawa Onsen is a quiet hot spring town located in the Tsuruoka area of Yamagata Prefecture, with a history spanning over 1,300 years. According to local legend, the onsen was discovered in 807 when a white egret was seen healing its wounds in the thermal waters, leading to its original name "Egret Hot Spring." The town developed as a resting place for travelers and pilgrims visiting the sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains, establishing itself as one of the oldest onsen resorts in the Tohoku region.
The waters of Yutagawa Onsen are sodium chloride springs with temperatures reaching approximately 65-70 degrees Celsius at the source. These alkaline waters are known for their smooth texture and are believed to help with neuralgia, muscle pain, and skin conditions. The town maintains a traditional atmosphere with several historic ryokan (Japanese inns) lining the Yutagawa River, many of which have been operating for multiple generations. The sound of the river and the sight of steam rising from various spring sources create an authentic old-world onsen experience.
Visitors can explore the town's footbaths along the river, freely accessible to the public without charge. Most ryokan offer day-use bathing for non-staying guests, with fees typically ranging from 500 to 1,000 yen. Some establishments feature historic wooden bath houses and traditional architecture preserved from the Meiji and Taisho periods. The town also serves as a convenient base for visiting Dewa Sanzan, located approximately 30 minutes by car from the onsen area.
Yutagawa Onsen is accessible by train and bus from Tsuruoka Station, with regular buses taking approximately 25-30 minutes to reach the onsen town. From Tokyo, travelers can take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata, then transfer to the Inaho Limited Express to Tsuruoka, with total travel time around 4-5 hours. By car, the onsen is located off the Yamagata Expressway, approximately 15 minutes from the Tsuruoka Interchange.
