|
 Tsuru-no-Yu is a popular onsen inn in Tazawako
whereby this place first got its name when a
crane (tsuru) first brought hunters to this
hidden hot spring. This famous Japanese ryokan
offers guests a timeless retreat that is classic
Japanese attraction. Visitors make their trip
here for its incredible warm water meditations.
The serene surroundings also helps to sooth the
mind and the spirit and we have to thank the
innkeepers who have saved farmhouses, samurai
and lordly residences, sometimes moving them and
adapting them to accommodate Photo: Tsuru-no-Yu
at Tazawako modern-day guests
so that ordinary travelers like ourselves can
totally enjoy. Tsuru-no-Yu has been recognized
as a top Japanese inns and top Japanese spas by travelers who
truly knows the benefit of hot spring baths.
Tsuru-no-Yu is not
only the most famous 'secret' onsen in Japan but
the spirit of this health retreat is so
invigoratingly authentic that tourists and
bathers are charmed by its persistence in
leaving nature alone. The thatched-roof long
house here at Tsuru-no-Yu is more than a century
old and common but colorful sights seen here
include red chili peppers, rice stalks and
fragrant persimmons being hang to dry. Regular
travelers to this onsen ryokan always look
forward to the milky sulfur-rich waters of Nyuto
Onsen. Unlike the most ryokans in Japan, Tsuru-no-Yu
shares this great outdoor onsen with the general
public and happily welcomes daytime bathers as
well as paying inn guests. Although guests of
the inn may have less privacy but Tsuru-no-Yu
makes up for this shortfall by providing
delicious lunch and tea fare at a simple onsen
site cafe.
The big public pool
is open to a mix of men and women while for
those who prefers a same sex pool, then there
are an additional three baths, two for women,
one for men, located at the inn. When the owner
of this inn, Kazushi Sato, bought this house in
the woods in 1981, he was determined to preserve
the humble, solid beams of the past and up till
to the present day, this inn has managed to
remain a cherished onsen destination in part of
its allure as a place that seems to have left
behind in time, back to its original Edo Period.
For the first timers here, always seek the rooms
in the honkan (main wing) and to get a room of
your choice, you might even have to make
reservation one year earlier. The simple and
rustic nature of this inn further adds to its
charm and the tradition of including breakfast
and dinner with a night's lodging has become a
unique element of ryokan hospitality throughout
Japan. Visitors coming in from Tokyo have to
take a one-hour flight and a two-hours road trip
from the Akita Airport to get to Nyuto Onsen and
the Tsuru-no-Yu onsen ryokan. Travelers can also
travel for three hours from Tokyo to Tazawako by
Akita Shinkansen and then take a thirty minutes
taxi ride to Nyuto Onsen. Famous attractions
worthwhile exploring when you are not soaking in
hot natural baths include Mount Komagatake and
the samurai houses at Kakunodate. So, be a part
of the famous Japanese passion and cure your
exhaustion at the same time.
Located at :
Tazawako-machi,
Senboku-gun,
Akita-ken 014-1204,
Japan.
Telephone :
81 (0)187 46 2139
_____________________________________________________________________________________
|