Yahataya

Yahataya is an onsen ryokan where you can enjoy Bobata Onsen, a hot spring associated with Minamoto no Yoshiie, also known as Hachiman Taro. According to legend, when Yoshiie’s beloved horse was injured and unable to move, it was treated with valley water mixed with hot spring water, and the wound quickly healed and the horse regained its strength. Rejoicing that this was help from the mountain gods, Yoshiie offered a horo (a type of banner cloak) on the rock where the hot spring welled up. The area came to be called "Horohata" and later, through changes in pronunciation, became known as "Bobata." In the 1970s, the hot spring also gained a quiet reputation among sumo wrestlers as being beneficial for muscle aches and joint issues. At Yahataya, you can enjoy Bobata Onsen in large communal baths and open-air baths, and there are also a radon hot spring sauna and a natural stone sauna featuring Inner Mongolian bakuhanseki stone. Dining is offered through a variety of plans and courses that highlight the seasonal flavors of Bobata Onsen. Access to Yahataya is about 10 minutes by taxi from Iwaki-Ishikawa Station on the JR Suigun Line.