Nishi No Miyabi Tokiwa Hotel

Nishi no Miyabi Tokiwa is a ryokan in Yuda Onsen, one of Yamaguchi’s renowned hot springs, where you can enjoy a variety of baths with distinct atmospheres. Yuda Onsen is said to be a place where samurai once discussed secret strategies on the eve of the Meiji Restoration, and in tribute to that history, the open-air bath “Ishin Reimei no Yu” is one of the inn’s signature baths. “Santoka no Yu” is named after the haiku poet Santoka Taneda, who composed poems in this area, and it offers a soothing time in a bath filled with the fragrance of hinoki cypress. There is also “Yamaguchi Nontan no Yu,” inspired by the Xavier Cathedral, featuring beautiful stained glass. In total, there are six types of baths. The hot spring quality is a simple alkaline spring, said to be effective for gastrointestinal issues, neuralgia, and rheumatism. Nishi no Miyabi Tokiwa is also proud of its cuisine, with exquisite dishes produced by Tadami Ota, a “master of Japanese cuisine” who received the Zuiho Tanko Medal, showcasing local ingredients. Recommended à la carte add-ons include turban-shell tsuboyaki, grilled abalone, simmered sea bream head, and torafugu sashimi. Access to Nishi no Miyabi Tokiwa: by car, it’s about 15 minutes from Chugoku Expressway “Ogori IC” or Sanyo Expressway “Yamaguchi IC.” By public transportation, it’s about 15 minutes by taxi from JR Sanyo Shinkansen “Shin-Yamaguchi Station,” or 20 minutes by bus (get off at the Yuda Onsen bus stop). Using the JR Yamaguchi Line, ride from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station to “Yuda Onsen Station” (about 15 minutes), then walk about 10 minutes. By air, it’s about 40 minutes by taxi or about 60 minutes by bus from Yamaguchi Ube Airport.