Located in the mountains of Gunma, Yakushi Onsen Hatago realized fairly early on the piece that it was important ? if not essential ? to preserve the traditional elements of a specific locality as much as possible. The owners of the rustic onsen decided to go one step further and make such vestiges the main attraction.

The hotel’s roots can be traced all the way back to the late-18th century, when a monk stumbled across the remote hot spring inn whilst making his spiritual journey across the country. Its trademark hospitality was the same back then as it is now, offering all guests a clean, warm environment, personal attention and simple fresh cuisine. So idyllic is the location that it’s easy to imagine the monk made a return journey along the same route.

Accommodation these days can be found in a newly refurbished building that fits snugly against the northern bank of Nuru River, providing all rooms with a picturesque view over the tributary outside. The rooms are without fail spotlessly clean and feature numerous creature comforts to make your stay trouble-free. All rooms have two television sets, a fridge, iron, ironing board and medical kit. The tatami mat sleeping areas are easily sub-divided from the heated wood living/kitchen areas with the help of sliding washi doors, and guests are encouraged to treat the facilities as their own. Unlike other renowned tourism facilities that churn out such phrases with unsettling regularity, Yakushi Onsen Hatago genuinely means it.