Tamatsukuri Onsen
Japan's oldest recorded hot spring, described in 8th-century poetry as 'a single bath restores youth'. The sodium-rich waters genuinely improve skin.
2–4 hours
Foot bath free; day-use bath from ¥700
Foot bath: daytime; Gyokuyu-no-yu public bath: 6:00–22:00; ryokan day-use: 10:00–15:00 (call ahead)
Year-round
From Tamatsukuri-onsen Station (JR San'in Line): about 3 min walk to bus stop, then about 6 min by bus to Tamatsukuri Onsen. Or request pickup from your lodgings
Location
Why Visit
- 1
The open-air foot bath along the river is free and accessible all day
- 2
Onsen cosmetics — face masks and skin creams made with actual spring water
- 3
Local women reportedly use only the water as skincare — dermatologists have studied the results
Local Tips
One of Japan's oldest hot springs (documented in the Manyoshu poetry anthology from the 8th century) — the water is said to make skin beautiful. The onsen town is compact and walkable along the Tamatsukuri River. Combine with Matsue Castle and Lake Shinji sunset for a full Shimane day.
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