Mimasaka Three Hot Springs

Yubara Onsen in Maniwa City, Okutsu Onsen in Kagamino Town (Tomata District), and Yunogo Onsen in Mimasaka City—all located in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture—are collectively known and cherished as the “Mimasaka Three Hot Springs,” representing some of the most famous hot spring resorts in Okayama.

Yubara Onsen stretches along the Asahi River, just downstream of the Yubara Dam. Its symbol is “Sunayu,” an open-air bath where hot spring water naturally bubbles up from beneath the sandy riverbed. This unique bath is open 24 hours a day and free of charge, allowing visitors to soak while gazing at the dam. The town also features day-use bathhouses and a museum that introduces the history of Yubara Onsen.

Okutsu Onsen, said to have been established during the Edo period by the feudal lord of the Tsuyama Domain as a healing retreat, is known for its secluded charm, nestled among lush mountains and clear streams. Some of the inns and guesthouses lining the river have histories stretching back nearly 90 years, offering a picturesque and nostalgic atmosphere. Most of the accommodations have their own private hot spring sources, allowing guests to enjoy an abundant supply of bijin-no-yu, or “beautifying water,” renowned for its skin-smoothing properties.

Said to have been discovered about 1,200 years ago by the Buddhist monk Ennin, Yunogo Onsen’s original spring is also known as “Sagi-no-Yu,” or “Heron’s Bath,” based on a legend that a white heron healed its wounds in the waters. Renowned for its healing properties for cuts and abrasions, Yunogo has long been popular as a therapeutic hot spring. The area also offers a variety of family-friendly sightseeing spots, such as a museum of retro toys from the Showa era and a facility displaying rare music boxes and automata dating back over 100 years.