Shima Tamura

Shima Tamura, known as “Onsen-zanmai no Yado,” is a hot-spring-loving inn in Shima Onsen, a hot spring area still beloved today as a therapeutic onsen destination since as far back as the Muromachi period. When you climb Tamura-zaka in Shima Onsen, you’re greeted in rich nature by a sturdy irimoya-style thatched roof. True to its name, the inn’s hot springs are abundant self-owned sources with free-flowing water, letting you fully enjoy seven atmospheric baths. Highlights include the open-air bath “Mori no Kodama,” where you can enjoy seasonal scenery and the sound of the river; the signature large bath “Iraka no Yu,” where hot spring water wells up from beneath the tub; and the wild, scenic open-air bath “Maboroshi no Yu / Ryugu,” dug in the riverbed of the Shinyu River. As for meals, you can enjoy authentic kaiseki cuisine that lets you feel the seasons through taste and presentation, along with local sake selections that pair well with the dishes. With delicious food and soothing baths, it’s an ideal inn to relax and spend time slowly in comfort.