Tsurunoyu Onsen

Tsurunoyu is the most famous of the seven hidden hot spring inns in the Nyuto Onsen-kyo area. It is easily recognizable by its traditional thatched-roof buildings (honjin) that date back to the Edo period when they housed samurai guarding the local lords. The facility features four different springs with varying mineral compositions, including the signature milky white sulfur water. Visitors primarily come for the large outdoor mixed-gender bath (rotenburo), which offers a rustic experience surrounded by nature. While it is a traditional mountain inn, it has become a bucket-list destination for international travelers seeking an authentic, remote atmosphere. The inn preserves a deliberate lack of modern distractions, using kerosene lamps in some areas to maintain its historical feel.