Yamashiro Onsen
山代温泉
The largest hot spring town among the Kaga Onsen villages. Visitors can experience the reconstructed Meiji-era Ko-Sōtō bathhouse and visit the former home of Kitaōji Rosanjin.
Yamashiro Onsen is said to have been discovered by the monk Gyōki in 725, and it is the largest of the Kaga hot spring villages. The spa street centers on the Yunomagari-kuruwa, a bathing complex. The public bath Sōtō stands beside the Ko-Sōtō, a reconstruction of a Meiji-era wooden bathhouse with stained-glass windows and Kutani ware tiles. Here you can experience traditional bathing without showers, using only hot spring water. Admission is about 700 yen. Nearby are the Iroha Sōan, where Kitaōji Rosanjin once lived and carved signboards, and Kutani ware kilns. From JR Kaga-Onsen Station, take the CAN bus for about 15 minutes. It's a good place for an overnight stay, paired with Yamanaka Onsen and Natadera Temple.
Opening hours
Furu Sōtō approx. 06:00–22:00 (closed on the morning of the fourth Wednesday each month; check the official website)
Nearby sights
- Kutani Kiln Site Exhibition Hall
- Yamanaka Onsen & Kakusenkei Gorge
- Ishikawa Prefectural Kutani Ware Museum
- Katayamazu Onsen & Lake Shibayama
- Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice
- Natadera Temple
- Kitamaebune Ship Museum
- Yunokuni no Mori Traditional Crafts Village