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How about spending a relaxing and luxurious time soaking in the finest secret hot springs during your hectic daily life? This time we would like to introduce Hijiori Onsen, a hot spring resort located in Okura Village, Yamagata Prefecture, where you can enjoy beautiful nature and feel nostalgic.
What is Hijiori Onsen?
Hijiori Onsen has a history of about 1,200 years since its opening, and has long been known as an unexplored hot spring resort.
Located at the foot of the sacred mountain Mt. Gassan, it used to be a place where many worshipers stopped to cleanse their bodies for the last time before visiting Mt. Gassan.
It is said that a long time ago, an old monk who was suffering from a broken elbow took a dip in the local hot springs, and the wound healed quickly, hence the name ``Hijiori.''
Recommended ways to spend time at Hijiori Onsen
Hijiori Onsen is a place where you can forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend some time relaxing. Why not enjoy your free time and enjoy a luxurious stay without over-packing your schedule?
This time we will introduce how to enjoy a day trip.
A leisurely stroll
Let's take a stroll around the hot spring town. The streets are full of emotion, making it seem as if time has stopped.
The sound of the Dozan River that gently envelops the hot spring village will make you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life and invite you to a nostalgic world view.
Former Hijiori Post Office Building
It is a building with a retro and somewhat cute appearance, with the window frames featuring the 〒 mark.
It was built in 1933 and was used as a post office building until 1995. Afterwards, the post office moved to a new building. At one point, this building was considered for demolition, but thanks to the passion of local residents, it has been carefully preserved.
Hijiori Dam
Hijiori Dam, which has been designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property, is located about a 5-minute walk from the hot spring town. In spring, the amount of water from melting snow increases, making it a spectacular sight.
It is illuminated on the first and third Saturdays of June, September, and October, giving tourists a different look than during the day.
Eating freshly ground soba
When you get tired of walking, it's time to eat. We recommend "Tori Soba" from "Soba Restaurant Kotobukiya".
Okura Village, where Hijiori Onsen is located, is also famous for producing soba. In addition to the fragrant soba flavor, the most noteworthy thing is the taste of the soup. Although it is refreshing, it is full of flavor, and the refreshing taste of the mitsuba leaves on top makes it even more refreshing. The flavor of the chicken is well soaked in, and every time you bite into it, the flavor spreads in your mouth and you can't help but smile.
Visit the hot springs to your heart's content
The hot water at Hijiori Onsen differs in color and bathing feeling depending on the source. Let's enjoy comparing hot water as much as time allows.
Hijiori Deyukan
Hijiori Ideyukan, which disseminates tourist information and culture of Hijiori Onsen, is the core facility of Hijiori Onsenkyo. The spring quality is said to make your skin smooth and is especially popular among women.
The facility is also equipped with a co-working space, making it a dream-like stay where you can enjoy both hot spring therapy and work.
Caldera hot spring building
Caldera Onsenkan is one of the few hot springs in Japan where you can enjoy natural carbonated springs. You can relax and soak in the hot water while looking at the beautiful nature of Hijiori.
You can drink the hot springs for free at this facility! Pour natural carbonated water onto your hot body after taking a bath. What a luxury!
Carbonated water has a smooth texture with a slight acidity and iron content on the tongue. The bubbling bubbles are pleasant to the touch.
Take as a souvenir a cider containing natural carbonated water that was loved by Mokichi Saito.
As a souvenir from your trip, why not try Hijiori Caldera Cider, which is made using carbonated water that gushes out at Caldera Onsenkan?
Mokichi Saito, a poet from Yamagata Prefecture, was also very fond of drinking carbonated water from Hijiori Onsen with sugar, and wrote about the experience in his poems.
``I love the scent of the bubbling spring, and it's a sunny day for Kefu.''
Mokichi Saito was as happy as a child with the fizzing, carbonated taste, and is said to have had two or three cups.
You can drink it while ruminating on the memories of your trip on the way home, or give it as a souvenir to a loved one.
Be sure to try some of Hijiori's clear and refreshing cider.
summary
Hijiori Onsen is a hot spring village surrounded by nature. As we introduced here, you can fully enjoy it on a day trip, but you can enjoy its charm many times more if you stay overnight. If you're staying overnight, be sure to take part in the famous morning market.
Why not spend some free time detoxing your mind and body at Hijiori Onsen?
![Mogami river boat ride (1)](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1dcca0d97fdde973223f130720a3387b-150x150.jpg.webp "[Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture] Let's go and listen to "Yoisanomakasho" sung by the boatman on the "Mogami River Boat Boat Boat Cruise" which can be enjoyed in a kotatsu until March!")
