Tamatsukuri Onsen
onsen
Tamatsukuri Onsen
玉造温泉
Overview
Ancient 'Bath of the Gods' with beautifying waters and a touchable agate magatama stone.
Called the 'Bath of the Gods' in ancient chronicles, this onsen district along the Tamayu River has been prized for its beautifying alkaline waters since the 8th century. The town was also an ancient production center for magatama curved jade beads, a raw agate magatama stone sits in the river, said to bring happiness to those who touch it.
Local tips
One of Japan's oldest documented hot springs, recorded in the Izumo Fudoki (733 AD) and cited in the Man'yoshu poetry anthology for its skin-smoothing water. The spring is sodium chloride and strongly alkaline. The main bathing street follows the Tamayu River, with several ryokans offering day-use bathing. Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine on the hill above has a cedar-lined approach and rows of torii. Matsue to Tamatsukuri takes about 20 minutes by JR Sanin Line limited express.
Practical info
- Japanese name
- 玉造温泉
- Nearest station
- Matsue Station (20 min bus)
- Reservations
- not required
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