Iwaki Yumoto Onsen

This famous hot spring has been loved for more than 1,000 years. Along with Dogo Hot Spring in Iyo Province and Arima Hot Spring in Settsu Province, it was known as one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan. In the Middle Ages, it was visited by many feudal lords of warring states, and during the Edo period, this historic hot spring resort was visited by a constant stream of writers and artists.

The secret of its long-lasting popularity lies in its various beneficial effects. The rare quality of the spring is known as “hot water of beauty” for its skin beautifying, detoxifying, and peripheral blood vessel dilating effects. It is also effective as “hot water for the heart” that lowers blood pressure and is good for arteriosclerosis and hypertension. It is also “hot water of heat,” suitable for the elderly, and is characterized by its high heat-retaining effect.

The hot water is abundant, gushing out at a rate of 5 tons per minute from about 50 meters underground. There are many inns that boast of natural sulfur spring water.

The climate is relatively mild even for the Tohoku region. After strolling through the tasteful hot spring resort, visitors can enjoy fresh seafood landed at Onahama Port.

This hot spring was once called “Joban-yumoto Onsen. The history of its opening dates back to the Nara period (710-794).

According to a legend, a wounded tancho crane alighted at the spring and soaked in the hot water.

The scroll contained an instruction to open this hot spring and live a full life, and it is said that the “hot spring of Sabako” has been open ever since.

In the “Engishiki Shinmeicho” (Engi Shiki Shinmeicho) of 5 extended years, the name of the “Iwaki-gun Onsen Jinja (hot spring shrine)” located at this hot spring was recorded, and the phrase “Japan’s three oldest hot springs” came to be used as an advertising phrase in connection with this hot spring.

When the phrase “Japan’s three oldest hot springs” is used, Shirahama Hot Spring is included in addition to Arima Hot Spring and Dogo Hot Spring. In addition, the name “Yumoto” was already used in the Heian period (794-1185), and the area became known as Yumoto Onsen in Iwaki-gun.

Furthermore, in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), it was counted as one of the “Three Boxes of Hot Springs,” along with Shinano-goyu and Natori-goyu.

Because of this, Yumoto Onsen became famous as a sacred hot spring, and its efficacy spread among travelers, leading to its development as a famous hot spring cure. In the Edo period (1603-1867), it flourished as an inn on the Rikuzenhama Kaido highway.

In the Meiji period (1868-1912), when coal mining began, many hot springs gushed out from the mines. However, this meant that the underground spring veins were destroyed, and the hot springs stopped gushing to the surface in 1919. Later, after discussions with the coal mines, the hot springs were able to be restored in 1942.

In 1966, the Joban Hawaiian Center (now Spa Resort Hawaiians) opened. It featured a hot spring pool and leisure facilities, which were rare at the time, and the hula dance show in particular was a highlight of the event, which quickly raised the fame of Joban-Yumoto Onsen. This facility was inspired by Hawaii, which is said to be “the number one foreign country that Japanese people would like to visit.” The water from the abundant Joban-Yumoto hot spring was used to heat the rooms, creating a resort facility with the image of Hawaii, the island of dreams.