Chorakuen Ryokan & Onsen

Chorakuen is a hot spring ryokan in Tamatsukuri Onsen, Matsue City, with history dating back to the first year of Meiji. Its main attraction is Japan’s largest mixed-gender open-air bath: a vast garden rotenburo with fully source-fed water. To help women feel comfortable, special bathing towels with elastic are worn. The scale is impressive—about 120 tsubo—so large it can feel like a pool. In addition to this bath, there are indoor baths, family baths, and private open-air baths limited to special rooms. Guest rooms overlooking the garden can view a large garden said to be about 10,000 tsubo. The garden is ranked highly every year in the “Japanese Garden Journal” rankings—worth a stroll. Meals include San’in cuisine with abundant crab and Shimane beef. Not only breakfast buffets but also lunch buffets are offered, allowing for longer stays. You can also see the detached villa and garden where Emperor Showa once stayed. Access: from Matsue Station, take the JR San’in Main Line to Tamatsukuri Onsen Station, then about 5 minutes by car; free shuttle service is available.