Yugawara Onsen has a long history, famed as the only hot spring mentioned in the ancient Manyoshu poetry collection. In medieval times, it was cherished by samurai and villagers alike, and during the Edo period it became known nationwide as the “Healing Spring” for wounds. Writers, artists, and politicians were drawn to its waters, and with the opening of the railway in the Meiji era, the resort flourished further, inspiring literary giants such as Doppo Kunikida and Natsume Soseki.
Perched on a hill in Yugawara, Yugawara Fuga welcomes you with a stately tiled-roof entrance leading into a warm, wooden interior. The inn combines the nostalgic atmosphere of a traditional Japanese ryokan with the convenience of modern comforts such as smart check-in and the latest appliances, creating a relaxing and seamless stay.
From October 1 to December 18, 2025, Fuga offers a special seasonal stay: the Autumn Retreat Plan. Heal your body in soothing hot springs, savor fine seasonal cuisine from the mountains and sea, and enjoy a hands-on experience of whisking matcha and creating glass pen art in your room.
The ryokan embraces the concept of “a contemplative holiday for adults,” offering over 1,000 books, magazines, and manga in its cozy Cafe & Library, along with a corridor displaying ukiyo-e woodblock prints.
After check-in, relax in the sunlit Cafe & Library Botan, where you can enjoy welcome drinks and sweets while overlooking a Japanese garden with a koi pond. Time slows down as you browse novels or nostalgic comics. Just opposite, you can join a fun “Original Dashi Soy Sauce Making” activity—fill a small bottle with sakura shrimp, dried shiitake mushrooms, or kombu, add soy sauce, and your unique blend will be served with breakfast the next morning as well as packaged to take home.
Inside the inn, antique tansu chests and paintings adorn spacious hallways. Climb the stairs to discover the “Ukiyo-e Corridor,” where works by Hiroshige Utagawa on the theme of “flowers, birds, wind, and moon” are displayed.
Cafe & Library Botan
Ukiyo-e Corridor,
The 17 guest rooms include serene Japanese-style bedrooms, suites with open-air baths, and classic tatami rooms. Televisions are intentionally omitted to preserve tranquility, allowing guests to immerse themselves in quietude and relaxation.
Yugawara Fuga: The Autumn Retreat Plan with Three Privileges
The Autumn Retreat Plan with Three Privileges includes a set for preparing two types of matcha (Uji and Shizuoka), traditional sweets, and a glass pen art kit. Even beginners can try whisking their own matcha, guided by illustrated instructions. After savoring the tea with wagashi, enjoy creating your own glass pen art. With trays of vibrant inks, an elegant glass pen, coasters, and stationery, guests can draw, write letters, or simply listen to the soothing scratch of pen on paper in tranquil silence.
Matcha Experience *image
Glass pen *Image
The famed waters of Yugawara Onsen are clear, slightly saline, and retain heat well—earning their reputation as a bijin-no-yu (“beauty bath”). The large communal bath features both indoor and open-air hot springs, while two private rooftop open-air baths, Konpeki and Moegi, are available by reservation. Each comes with a jacuzzi and plush round sofa for ultimate indulgence.
Onsen Bath
【Entrée】
A wooden box filled with nine colorful appetizers, each themed around the field, the sea, and the mountains, using seasonal ingredients. The visually stunning presentation alone is enough to lift your spirits.
~ From the Field ~
- Terrine of colorful vegetables prepared with prosciutto
- Summer vegetables simmered in oil
- Zeppoline (Italian fritters) with edamame
~ From the Sea ~
- Quiche with boiled whitebait (shirasu) and colorful vegetables
- Escabeche of small shrimp
- Seared bonito with ponzu jelly
~ From the Mountains ~
- Roasted duck breast served with acacia honey and citrus fruits
- Roast beef with quatre épices sauce
- Country-style pâté with pickles in aspic
【Potage】
Chilled green pea potage – a refreshing light-green soup served with corn.
【Poisson】
Pan-seared scallops and cutlassfish. The delicate flavors of the fish are beautifully enhanced by a slightly tangy hollandaise sauce.
【Viande】
The main course is upgraded to Wagyu steak.
At the teppanyaki counter, the chef dazzles guests with fiery performances on the hot iron grill right before your eyes. After being flambéed on the grill, the steak is served at your table, where you can finish cooking it yourself on a lava stone plate to your preferred doneness. Enjoy with three different types of salt.
【Pâtes】
The course concludes with pasta in a peperoncino style, featuring sakura shrimp and a hot spring egg. The crisp texture of the sakura shrimp and the gentle flavor of the egg blend delightfully in the mouth.
【Dessert】
Seasonal fruit parfait.
For dessert, move to the Cafe & Library and enjoy a leisurely moment.
A blissful dinner that continues to surprise and delight until the very last bite.
Breakfast features 12 small Japanese and Western-style dishes, including thick-fried tofu from the local artisan shop “Junian,” grilled mackerel, chicken fricassée, nikujaga, fried eggs, multigrain rice, and hearty miso soup. Guests can also enjoy their own handmade dashi soy sauce from the day before.
After a soak in the rejuvenating hot spring, slip into a colorful yukata and embrace the slow rhythms of this cultural and restorative hideaway.
Special Autumn Plan with Matcha & Glass Pen Art
Plan name: [Autumn 3 Privileges] Matcha & Glass Pen Experience in a Japanese Setting – Basic Course ★ Miyabi
Period: October 1 – December 18, 2025
Privileges:
- Matcha set with Uji and Shizuoka teas
- Traditional wagashi sweets
- Glass pen experience set (pen, coaster, letter set)
(Matcha preparation is self-service in your room)
Price: From ¥19,800 per person (based on two guests per room)
Details & Reservations: https://x.gd/is07A
Yugawara Fuga
Address: 261 Miyakami, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 259-0314, Japan
Tel: 0570-032-532 | Rooms: 17
Facilities: Restaurant, large baths, Cafe & Library, Ukiyo-e Corridor
Access: 10 min by taxi from JR Yugawara Station (shuttle available with reservation)
Website: http://yugawara-fuga.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yugawara_fuga/
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